About Window Managers

In Unix and Linux, nearly all graphical applications use the "X Window System" as the underlying software between the hardware and the "graphical user interface" (GUI). The window manager is the piece of software that controls the display windows in the X Window System environment. The placement, borders, and decorations of any window are managed by the window manager. GNOME works with the window manager to display application windows on your screen.

GNOME is not dependent on any particular window manager. If you decide to change window managers GNOME will maintain a consistent interface to your applications. GNOME works with the window manager to get information about the windows on the screen. However, some GNOME features require a "GNOME compliant window manager" to work correctly, in particular the Desk Guide applet as well as drag and drop on the desktop. We recommend the use of a GNOME compliant window manager for new users.

Some of the window managers that have partial to full compliance at the time of this version of the GNOME User's Guide are:

• Sawfish (formerly named Sawmill)

• IceWM

• WindowMaker

• Enlightenment

• AfterStep

• FVWM2

There are other window managers being developed that will work with GNOME. You can find some of these on the GNOME Software Map.