Skip to content

Arch Linux File Managers

Jump to bottom
Mattscreative edited this page Dec 5, 2025 · 2 revisions

Arch Linux File Managers Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to file managers on Arch Linux, including Nautilus, Dolphin, Thunar, ranger, and file manager configuration.

Table of Contents

  1. GUI File Managers
  2. Terminal File Managers
  3. File Manager Configuration
  4. Troubleshooting

GUI File Managers

Nautilus (GNOME)

Install Nautilus:

# Install Nautilus
sudo pacman -S nautilus

# Launch
nautilus

Dolphin (KDE)

Install Dolphin:

# Install Dolphin
sudo pacman -S dolphin

# Launch
dolphin

Thunar (XFCE)

Install Thunar:

# Install Thunar
sudo pacman -S thunar

# Launch
thunar

PCManFM

Install PCManFM:

# Install PCManFM
sudo pacman -S pcmanfm

# Launch
pcmanfm

⌨ Terminal File Managers

ranger

Install ranger:

# Install ranger
sudo pacman -S ranger

# Launch
ranger

vifm

Install vifm:

# Install vifm
sudo pacman -S vifm

# Launch
vifm

lf

Install lf:

# Install lf
sudo pacman -S lf

# Launch
lf

nnn

Install nnn:

# Install nnn
sudo pacman -S nnn

# Launch
nnn

File Manager Configuration

Nautilus Configuration

Configure Nautilus:

# Edit preferences
# Edit > Preferences

# Or via dconf
dconf-editor

Dolphin Configuration

Configure Dolphin:

# Settings > Configure Dolphin

ranger Configuration

Configure ranger:

# Create config
mkdir -p ~/.config/ranger
cp /etc/ranger/rc.conf ~/.config/ranger/rc.conf

# Edit config
vim ~/.config/ranger/rc.conf

Troubleshooting

File Manager Not Opening

Check permissions:

# Check permissions
ls -la ~/.config/

# Fix permissions
chmod 755 ~/.config/

Mount Issues

Check mounts:

# List mounts
lsblk

# Check fstab
cat /etc/fstab

Summary

This guide covered GUI and terminal file managers, configuration, and troubleshooting.

Next Steps

This guide is based on the ArchWiki. For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the official ArchWiki.

Clone this wiki locally