A Friendly Guide to Installing XFCE on FreeBSD 13.3

September 10, 2024

A Friendly Guide to Installing XFCE on FreeBSD 13.3

FreeBSD is a powerful and versatile operating system that has been around since 1993. Known for its robustness, performance, and advanced networking features, FreeBSD is a favourite among developers, system administrators, and enthusiasts alike. Unlike many Linux distributions, FreeBSD is based on the BSD Unix architecture, which means it has a unique set of tools and philosophies that set it apart. One of the most appealing aspects of FreeBSD is its ports collection, which allows users to easily install and manage software packages.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing the XFCE desktop environment on FreeBSD 13.3 RELEASE. XFCE is a lightweight and user-friendly desktop environment that is perfect for those who want a fast and efficient graphical interface without the bloat of more resource-intensive environments. We will also cover the installation of Xorg, the X Window System, and LightDM, a lightweight, cross-desktop display manager that will help you manage your sessions.

Step 1: Preparing Your System

Before we dive into the installation process, ensure that your FreeBSD system is up to date. Open your terminal and run the following commands with elevated access:

$ freebsd-update fetch

$ freebsd-update install

This will refresh your package repository and upgrade any outdated packages.

Step 2: Installing Xorg

XFCE requires the X Window System (Xorg) to function. To install Xorg, execute the following command in your terminal:

$ pkg install -y xorg

This command will download and install the necessary Xorg packages. Once the installation is complete, you can verify that Xorg is installed by running:

$ X -version

If everything is set up correctly, you should see the version of Xorg displayed in your terminal.

Step 3: Installing XFCE

Now that Xorg is installed, it’s time to install the XFCE desktop environment. You can do this by running:

$ pkg install xfce

This command will install the XFCE desktop environment along with its dependencies. Once the installation is complete, you can configure XFCE to start automatically when you log in.

Step 4: Configuring XFCE
XFCE requires /proc to be mounted. Add the following line to /etc/fstab in the FreeBSD default text editor known as the “easy editor” (ee) to mount this file system automatically during system startup:

$ ee /etc/fstab

# Device Mountpoint FStype Options Dump Pass#
proc /proc procfs rw 0 0

Please use “arrow”, “esc” and “enter” keys to edit, save the file and exit the editor.

Step 5: Installing LightDM

To manage your graphical sessions, we will install LightDM by running:

$ pkg install lightdm lightdm-gtk-greeter

After LightDM is installed, you need to enable it to start at boot. Open the `/etc/rc.conf` file:

$ ee /etc/rc.conf

Add the following lines to enable XFCE and LightDM:

dbus_enable="YES"
lightdm_enable="YES"

Please use “arrow”, “esc” and “enter” keys to edit, save the file and exit the editor.

Step 5: Starting Your Desktop Environment

Now that everything is set up, you can start your XFCE desktop environment. Reboot your system:

$ reboot

When your system starts, LightDM will present you with a login screen. Enter your username and password, and you should be greeted by the XFCE desktop environment.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed XFCE on FreeBSD 13.3. With its lightweight design and user-friendly interface, XFCE is an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their FreeBSD experience. Whether you are a seasoned user or new to FreeBSD, XFCE provides a smooth and efficient desktop environment that can meet your needs.

Disclaimer

This guide is intended for educational purposes only using data from an online article published in 2021 and the official FreeBSD handbook. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, please ensure you backup your data and proceed with caution when making changes to your system.

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