Sample Header Ad - 728x90

Unix & Linux Stack Exchange

Q&A for users of Linux, FreeBSD and other Unix-like operating systems

Latest Questions

2 votes
1 answers
2571 views
How to change desktop background via terminal on openSUSE?
I am using SUSE Studio to make a custom version of openSUSE with the KDE 4 desktop. A small problem is that the background is set by default to the chameleon light bulb. I suspect I can fix this manually by adding a line to the script that runs at the end of a build. So, what is this command, if it...
I am using SUSE Studio to make a custom version of openSUSE with the KDE 4 desktop. A small problem is that the background is set by default to the chameleon light bulb. I suspect I can fix this manually by adding a line to the script that runs at the end of a build. So, what is this command, if it exists?
PixelSpark (21 rep)
Jul 26, 2016, 10:27 PM • Last activity: Jun 27, 2025, 09:04 PM
2 votes
1 answers
2373 views
Lubuntu 15.10 dual monitor setup issues
**Problem description** I recently updated my two monitor system from Lubuntu 14.04 to Lubuntu 15.10. I set everything on the new system exactly as on the old one before and I figured out a strange behavior on my desktop: The primary monitor 1, the start menu position and the position where the desk...
**Problem description** I recently updated my two monitor system from Lubuntu 14.04 to Lubuntu 15.10. I set everything on the new system exactly as on the old one before and I figured out a strange behavior on my desktop: The primary monitor 1, the start menu position and the position where the desktop icons are located somehow were messed up. Additionally I could not set desktop wallpaper for both monitors. On the screenshot below you could see the situation. enter image description here Not only the position of the start menu and icons were messed up, but additionally I couldn't set two different wallpaper, since the Desktop Preferences dialog only changed the wallpaper on monitor 1, but the image scaling took the whole Xserver screen as argument (3840x1200). There were two different dialogs popping up when using the right mouse click on the desktop. On monitor 2 the openbox popup, on monitor 1 the LXDE popup with limited options. No matter what I select, only the wallpaper for monitor 1 could be changed. My system setup is:
Operating System: Lubuntu 15.10
Graphics Adapter: Nvidia GeForce GTX 750
Driver:           Nvidia 352.63
Monitor 1:        HP LP2475w / connected via DVI-I-1 / 1920x1200
Monitor 2:        HP LP2475w / connected via DVI-D-0 / 1920x1200
XServer Screen:   3840x1200
PCManFM:          1.2.3
Anybody having the same problem or a solution how to fix this?
Ede (21 rep)
May 23, 2016, 12:29 PM • Last activity: May 19, 2025, 04:00 PM
8 votes
1 answers
4426 views
X11 controlling root window or setting a window to be the background window (wallpaper)
I would like an animated background image. Or better, to make an application be the background, with no interactivity, so I don't accidentally click on it. I've seen many discussions about setting images as background, but is there a way to set an arbitrary application as the background window? I've...
I would like an animated background image. Or better, to make an application be the background, with no interactivity, so I don't accidentally click on it. I've seen many discussions about setting images as background, but is there a way to set an arbitrary application as the background window? I've found this Gifsice snippet on the Arch BBS: gifsicle --animate --new-window root someAnimatedGif.gif but it just opened a regular window (I'm using i3 with LightDM on Arch). I've tried executing it when i3 starts (same result as running it from xterm) and putting it in .Xinitrc, which produced nothing. How/where should I run gifview and is it possible to use another application, such as VLC, as the background window and why does gifview --new-window root not change the root?
Rain Gloom (83 rep)
Aug 5, 2015, 05:07 PM • Last activity: May 15, 2025, 04:10 PM
0 votes
0 answers
18 views
Is there a way of scaling the wallpaper in KDE while maintaining the aspect ratio?
I want to display all of the image I have set to my wallpaper while maintaining its aspect ratio. The obvious way of doing this would be to scale the image as appropriate and then use a background colour for the rest of the screen. It feels like there should be a setting for this but I could not fin...
I want to display all of the image I have set to my wallpaper while maintaining its aspect ratio. The obvious way of doing this would be to scale the image as appropriate and then use a background colour for the rest of the screen. It feels like there should be a setting for this but I could not find it? Is there a way of doing this without resizing the image?
Att Righ (1412 rep)
May 13, 2025, 01:54 PM
0 votes
0 answers
36 views
Issue with wallpaper changing while hovering over names in Rofi — where am I going wrong?
I’ve written a script to change my wallpaper with Rofi, but I’m having a problem. While I hover over the wallpaper names in the rofi menu, the wallpaper is not changing dynamically for like a temporary preview (as I expect). By the way, I want the wallpaper to only change after I select the one I wa...
I’ve written a script to change my wallpaper with Rofi, but I’m having a problem. While I hover over the wallpaper names in the rofi menu, the wallpaper is not changing dynamically for like a temporary preview (as I expect). By the way, I want the wallpaper to only change after I select the one I want and not during browsing. Here's the script I’m using:
#!/bin/bash

WALLPAPER_DIR="$HOME/Pictures/Wallpapers"

# Function to format wallpaper names for display
format_name() {
    basename "$1" | sed -E 's/[0-9]+[kK]?[- ]?[0-9]*[a-z]*//g; s/-/ /g; s/\.(jpg|png|jpeg)$//I; s/\b([a-z])/\u\1/g; s/\s+/ /g; s/^\s+|\s+$//g'
}

# Get list of wallpapers and format them
mapfile -t wallpapers < <(find "$WALLPAPER_DIR" -type f \( -iname "*.jpg" -o -iname "*.png" -o -iname "*.jpeg" \))
formatted_names=()

for wp in "${wallpapers[@]}"; do
    formatted_names+=("$(format_name "$wp")")
done

# Store current wallpaper
current_wallpaper=$(grep 'feh --bg-scale' ~/.fehbg | cut -d "'" -f2)

# Let rofi show and capture the selection live
selection=$(printf "%s\n" "${formatted_names[@]}" | rofi -dmenu -i -p "Select Wallpaper" -format "s" -monitor-changes | while read -r selected_name; do
    for wp in "${wallpapers[@]}"; do
        if [ "$(format_name "$wp")" == "$selected_name" ]; then
            # Change wallpaper temporarily as user browses
            feh --bg-scale "$wp"
            break
        fi
    done
done)

# Revert to previous wallpaper if no final selection
if [ -z "$selection" ]; then
    [ -n "$current_wallpaper" ] && feh --bg-scale "$current_wallpaper"
fi
I’ve tried some solutions, but I’m not sure where I’m going wrong. Is there a simple way to the wallpaper from changing on temporary basis until I make a final selection? Any guidance would be appreciated... Oh I am using Arch (btw). :v
DarKnightz (61 rep)
Feb 28, 2025, 10:01 PM
0 votes
1 answers
691 views
How to change or permanently set background image(wallpaper) in openbox WM?
Hey I just installed Arch Linux in Virtualbox btw with **openbox**, **gdm** and **rofi**. I wanted to **set a wallpaper** for the ***background***. So, I added this line in the end of my **`/home/user/.bashrc`** file - ```sh feh --bg-fill ~/wallpapers/squid-girl.png ``` The problem is that it doesn'...
Hey I just installed Arch Linux in Virtualbox btw with **openbox**, **gdm** and **rofi**. I wanted to **set a wallpaper** for the ***background***. So, I added this line in the end of my **/home/user/.bashrc** file -
feh --bg-fill ~/wallpapers/squid-girl.png
The problem is that it doesn't set the wallpaper just after I successfully login in an openbox-session but after I open an terminal window in an openbox-session. So, that is the matter. Now how am I supposed to/should set it?
Debajyati Dey (17 rep)
Jul 21, 2024, 10:04 AM • Last activity: Jul 21, 2024, 10:16 AM
0 votes
0 answers
337 views
Cycling desktop wallpapers on Debian
Solution - https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/4812/wallpaper-switcher/ Solution - Scaling options can be found in 'Tweaks' applicaton Is there any easy way to cycle through a folder full of desktop wallpapers on Debian 12 bookworm? I have the following gnome shell extensions if that helps? Arc M...
Solution - https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/4812/wallpaper-switcher/ Solution - Scaling options can be found in 'Tweaks' applicaton Is there any easy way to cycle through a folder full of desktop wallpapers on Debian 12 bookworm? I have the following gnome shell extensions if that helps? Arc Menu, Just Perfection and Dash to Panel Also is there any capacity built in to Debian to resize wallpapers? Like Ubuntu having tile, zoom, center, scale, fill, span etc.
totalconfusion (101 rep)
Jul 20, 2024, 07:26 AM • Last activity: Jul 20, 2024, 01:20 PM
7 votes
5 answers
20530 views
How to change wallpaper on xfce from terminal?
`Linux kali-linux 5.6.0-kali2-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 5.6.14-2kali1 (2020-06-10) x86_64 GNU/Linux` I want to change my wallpaper from the terminal. I tried methods suggested [here](https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/59653/change-desktop-wallpaper-from-terminal) and: - Gsettings doesn't work : `gse...
Linux kali-linux 5.6.0-kali2-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 5.6.14-2kali1 (2020-06-10) x86_64 GNU/Linux I want to change my wallpaper from the terminal. I tried methods suggested [here](https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/59653/change-desktop-wallpaper-from-terminal) and: - Gsettings doesn't work :
gsettings set org.cinnamon.desktop.background picture-uri "file:///filename" doesn't work. - I can't install xsetbg by apt install xsetbg - feh method doesn't give output or change wallpaper. - Even Gsettings for gnome doesn't work:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background picture-uri file:///path/to/your/image.png
Machine Yadav (309 rep)
Jul 1, 2020, 11:13 AM • Last activity: Mar 14, 2024, 04:57 AM
0 votes
1 answers
132 views
Wallch not working since Plasma 6
I use KDE neon 6.0 (the KDE OS, based on Ubuntu) and I have recently updated to Plasma 6. Since then I've noticed that the desktop wallpaper was not updating and I searched for information about Variety not working on Plasma 6. After not finding I anything I've noticed that Wallch wasn't running bec...
I use KDE neon 6.0 (the KDE OS, based on Ubuntu) and I have recently updated to Plasma 6. Since then I've noticed that the desktop wallpaper was not updating and I searched for information about Variety not working on Plasma 6. After not finding I anything I've noticed that Wallch wasn't running because it fails to start giving the error. app-wallch@autostart.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'. app-wallch@autostart.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=127/n/a /usr/bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/wallch: No such file or directory After that I was suggested to check systemctl And I found this that I'm not sure if it's related to the issue ● apparmor.service loaded failed failed Load AppArmor profiles
Manuel Cam (3 rep)
Mar 6, 2024, 08:32 PM • Last activity: Mar 6, 2024, 10:09 PM
0 votes
2 answers
4473 views
How to find current wallpaper image file path
I've got a folder full of images that I have set to a wallpaper slideshow and I'd like to be able to find the current image being displayed. I'm running Mint 20 Cinnamon 4.6.7, and using the standard wallpaper slideshow settings with all images located in the same folder. Is there a command I can ru...
I've got a folder full of images that I have set to a wallpaper slideshow and I'd like to be able to find the current image being displayed. I'm running Mint 20 Cinnamon 4.6.7, and using the standard wallpaper slideshow settings with all images located in the same folder. Is there a command I can run, or a program you know of, that would allow me to locate the file currently being displayed as the desktop wallpaper? For example, back when I used Windows the program Display Fusion added a context menu item that would allow you to right-click on the desktop and 'Open Current Wallpaper Image In File Explorer'. Is there any way of emulating that feature? Thanks I came across a similar post from a while ago that was recommended to use this command: gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.background picture-uri However, all I get in return is: file:///path/to/the/file
fairchildstu76
Aug 27, 2020, 01:42 PM • Last activity: Jan 5, 2024, 12:28 PM
0 votes
1 answers
1129 views
What is the location where default wallpapers are located in Manjaro XFCE?
What is the location where default wallpapers are located in Manjaro XFCE? I tried looking into `/usr/share/xfce4/` but cannot find any wallpapers.
What is the location where default wallpapers are located in Manjaro XFCE? I tried looking into /usr/share/xfce4/ but cannot find any wallpapers.
borz (145 rep)
Oct 3, 2023, 11:54 AM
1 votes
0 answers
424 views
webpage / html as wallpaper
I tried [komorebi](https://github.com/cheesecakeufo/komorebi) which has this feature, but it **changes the right click menu**. I need something like [lively wallpapers](https://github.com/rocksdanister/lively), which I use on windows, which doesnt change anything other than wallpaper, I'm using Linu...
I tried [komorebi](https://github.com/cheesecakeufo/komorebi) which has this feature, but it **changes the right click menu**. I need something like [lively wallpapers](https://github.com/rocksdanister/lively) , which I use on windows, which doesnt change anything other than wallpaper, I'm using Linux mint cinnamon, Had seen [HTML Wallpaper](https://store.kde.org/p/1324580/) on store.kde.org, I believe it only works on kde. --- Is there any package which does this without changing anything else other than wallpaper?
ANDuser (11 rep)
Jul 25, 2023, 01:26 PM • Last activity: Jul 25, 2023, 02:29 PM
2 votes
1 answers
1959 views
How can I make a scrolling matrix terminal background?
There are many scripts/programs that will turn your terminal into a matrix style screensaver, however I want to use it as a terminal wallpaper and still be able to use my terminal. I haven't been able to find anything online concerning any sort of animated terminal background. Would it be especially...
There are many scripts/programs that will turn your terminal into a matrix style screensaver, however I want to use it as a terminal wallpaper and still be able to use my terminal. I haven't been able to find anything online concerning any sort of animated terminal background. Would it be especially difficult to write something that can handle this?
Brian Sizemore (333 rep)
Jul 12, 2016, 02:54 PM • Last activity: Apr 24, 2023, 11:08 AM
2 votes
1 answers
317 views
How to increase GNOME timed wallpaper repaint frequency?
I'm setting up a timed wallpaper in GNOME, but when `duration` is configured to be 1 second, or use additional software to play videos or GIFs on the desktop. I'm keen to get the best results I can without additional software. 2. Read the documentation, but GNOME doesn't have much for timed wallpape...
I'm setting up a timed wallpaper in GNOME, but when duration is configured to be 1 second, or use additional software to play videos or GIFs on the desktop. I'm keen to get the best results I can without additional software. 2. Read the documentation, but GNOME doesn't have much for timed wallpapers, just normal wallpapers, which isn't helpful. ([Desktop Wallpaper](https://help.gnome.org/users/gthumb/stable/gthumb-desktop-wallpaper.html.en) , [Add extra backgrounds](https://help.gnome.org/admin/system-admin-guide/stable/backgrounds-extra.html.en)) 3. I have been unable to find a generic setting related to the wallpaper or desktop update frequency. ##### My Files ###### ~/Pictures/W6cMZ6wfCjk/live-wallpaper.xml
0.016666667
    /home/redacted/Pictures/W6cMZ6wfCjk/frames/001.png
  
  
    0.016666667
    /home/redacted/Pictures/W6cMZ6wfCjk/frames/002.png
###### ~/.local/share/gnome-background-properties/live-wallpaper.xml
Redacted Wallpaper
   /home/redacted/Pictures/W6cMZ6wfCjk/live-wallpaper.xml
   zoom
Seth Falco (188 rep)
Sep 15, 2022, 10:23 PM • Last activity: Apr 24, 2023, 10:49 AM
6 votes
1 answers
3774 views
How to set different wallpaper for each screen from command line in Gnome3?
In gnome3 I can run the following command to set the desktop wallpaper for all my monitors: gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background picture-uri file:///path/to/mypic.png How can I set the wallpaper for each of my monitors individually, so that each of them can has a different wallpaper? Looking f...
In gnome3 I can run the following command to set the desktop wallpaper for all my monitors: gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background picture-uri file:///path/to/mypic.png How can I set the wallpaper for each of my monitors individually, so that each of them can has a different wallpaper? Looking for a command line solution.
Felix Mc (313 rep)
Jan 5, 2015, 09:26 PM • Last activity: Jan 14, 2023, 07:06 PM
1 votes
1 answers
504 views
Using systemd timer to change the background wallpaper
I am trying to use systemd timers to change my background wallpaper and it doesn't seem to be doing what I want. Blelow I have listed the relevant files and outputs that I have. bgchange.timer ``` [Unit] Description=Timer for background change [Timer] OnUnitActiveSec=10sec OnActiveSec=5sec OnBootSec...
I am trying to use systemd timers to change my background wallpaper and it doesn't seem to be doing what I want. Blelow I have listed the relevant files and outputs that I have. bgchange.timer
[Unit]
Description=Timer for background change

[Timer]
OnUnitActiveSec=10sec
OnActiveSec=5sec
OnBootSec=1sec
Persistent=true

[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target
bgchange.service
[Unit]
Description=Change background image periodically

[Service]
Type=oneshot
Environment=DISPLAY=:0
ExecStart=/home/emobe/scripts/changebg.sh
/home/emobe/scripts/changebg.sh
#!/bin/bash
feh --no-fehbg --bg-scale --randomize /home/emobe/Pictures/wallpapers/*
bgchange.timer status
● bgchange.timer - Timer for background change
     Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/bgchange.timer; enabled; preset: disabled)
     Active: active (waiting) since Fri 2023-01-06 09:33:44 GMT; 4h 12min ago
      Until: Fri 2023-01-06 09:33:44 GMT; 4h 12min ago
    Trigger: Fri 2023-01-06 13:46:24 GMT; 4s left
   Triggers: ● bgchange.service
systemctl list-timers
Fri 2023-01-06 17:39:24 GMT 3h 52min left Thu 2023-01-05 23:57:47 GMT 13h ago            updatedb.timer                   updatedb.service
Sat 2023-01-07 00:00:00 GMT 10h left      Fri 2023-01-06 00:00:01 GMT 13h ago            logrotate.timer                  logrotate.service
Sat 2023-01-07 00:00:00 GMT 10h left      Fri 2023-01-06 00:00:01 GMT 13h ago            shadow.timer                     shadow.service
Sat 2023-01-07 09:48:44 GMT 20h left      Fri 2023-01-06 09:48:44 GMT 3h 58min ago       systemd-tmpfiles-clean.timer     systemd-tmpfiles-clean.service
Sat 2023-01-07 09:54:52 GMT 20h left      Fri 2023-01-06 00:34:15 GMT 13h ago            man-db.timer                     man-db.service
Sat 2023-01-07 15:00:00 GMT 1 day 1h left Tue 2022-12-06 22:57:11 GMT 1 month 0 days ago pamac-cleancache.timer           pamac-cleancache.service
Thu 2023-01-12 08:45:44 GMT 5 days left   Thu 2023-01-05 23:57:47 GMT 13h ago            pamac-mirrorlist.timer           pamac-mirrorlist.service
Thu 2023-01-12 20:26:18 GMT 6 days left   Fri 2023-01-06 00:25:48 GMT 13h ago            archlinux-keyring-wkd-sync.timer archlinux-keyring-wkd-sync.service
-                           -             Fri 2023-01-06 13:46:53 GMT 74ms ago           bgchange.timer                   bgchange.service
Emobe (123 rep)
Jan 6, 2023, 01:48 PM • Last activity: Jan 7, 2023, 02:24 AM
0 votes
1 answers
169 views
My light-dm greeter only quickly shows my wallpaper then changes to the default one
I am trying to let the login greeter of my Debian unstable machine show a custom wallpaper. It shows up quickly at boot, like half a second but then it fades into the default wallpaper. What could be the reason? Here is how I configured it and some info about my machine: > sudo cat /etc/lightdm/ligh...
I am trying to let the login greeter of my Debian unstable machine show a custom wallpaper. It shows up quickly at boot, like half a second but then it fades into the default wallpaper. What could be the reason? Here is how I configured it and some info about my machine: > sudo cat /etc/lightdm/lightdm-gtk-greeter.conf | ag -v \# [greeter] background=/usr/share/wallpaper/leaf.png ls -lisah /usr/share/wallpaper/leaf.png 18350307 1,8M -rw-rw-rw- 1 foo foo 1,8M 10. Jul 08:51 /usr/share/wallpaper/leaf.png > apt info lightdm Package: lightdm Version: 1.26.0-8 > apt info lightdm-gtk-greeter Package: lightdm-gtk-greeter Version: 2.0.8-2+b1 > uname -a && lsb_release -a Linux foo 5.18.0-2-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Debian 5.18.5-1 (2022-06-16) x86_64 GNU/Linux No LSB modules are available. Distributor ID: Debian Description: Debian GNU/Linux bookworm/sid Release: unstable Codename: sid
user640916 (368 rep)
Jul 16, 2022, 09:02 PM • Last activity: Jan 5, 2023, 08:10 PM
1 votes
0 answers
391 views
Change wallpaper in SLAX
On the SLAX website there is [documentation](https://www.slax.org/customize.php) for changing the wallpaper. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. After creating the module as instructed I moved it to `/run/initramfs/memory/data/slax/modules/` and rebooted. I expected to see the new wallpaper now, but it...
On the SLAX website there is [documentation](https://www.slax.org/customize.php) for changing the wallpaper. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. After creating the module as instructed I moved it to /run/initramfs/memory/data/slax/modules/ and rebooted. I expected to see the new wallpaper now, but it is still the standard one. In /usr/share/wallpapers/ there is still the standard wallpaper. However, the module is mounted and the new wallpaper is in /run/initramfs/memory/bundles/wallpaper.sb/usr/share/wallpapers/. I'm running SLAX version 11.4.0. The documentation linked above mentions SLAX version 9.6.4 at some point. Is the documentation still up to date?
user1785730 (131 rep)
Sep 27, 2022, 09:45 PM
3 votes
2 answers
673 views
The background resets every time the system restarts
Every time I change my wallpaper on my dual screens, and I log off, the wallpapers revert to their original state when I log in. Is there a reason why this happens, or is it just what goes on in the world of Linux? I use Debian Wheezy, and Xfce
Every time I change my wallpaper on my dual screens, and I log off, the wallpapers revert to their original state when I log in. Is there a reason why this happens, or is it just what goes on in the world of Linux? I use Debian Wheezy, and Xfce
Amateur Programer (521 rep)
Nov 21, 2014, 02:13 PM • Last activity: Sep 7, 2022, 04:07 PM
0 votes
1 answers
733 views
Where do I find the path of the current desktop background in Cinnamon?
I'm using Cinnamon on Devuan Chimaera. I'm trying to migrate an earlier user home directory (from Devuan Beowulf). Specifically, I'm trying to use the same background image. But I can't figure out where the chosen background image, or the link/path to it, is stored! I couldn't find anything relevant...
I'm using Cinnamon on Devuan Chimaera. I'm trying to migrate an earlier user home directory (from Devuan Beowulf). Specifically, I'm trying to use the same background image. But I can't figure out where the chosen background image, or the link/path to it, is stored! I couldn't find anything relevant under ~/.cinnamon. Where is it? :-( Note: Related question which doesn't seem to answer my question: https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/115424/where-does-cinnamon-store-its-desktop-art-settings
einpoklum (10753 rep)
Jul 17, 2021, 10:51 PM • Last activity: May 27, 2022, 05:35 PM
Showing page 1 of 20 total questions