IceWM 3.9 – A Lightweight Classic Refined for the Modern Linux Desktop

Table of contents:-

How IceWM Compares to Other Lightweight Window Managers

Introduction

In the sprawling universe of Linux desktop environments and window managers, few projects have managed to remain both relevant and true to their original vision for as long as IceWM. First appearing in 1997, IceWM has been quietly powering desktops for users who value speed, simplicity, and a clean, distraction‑free interface.

It is a stacking window manager for the X Window System, written in C++ and licensed under the LGPL. Unlike full desktop environments such as GNOME or KDE Plasma, IceWM focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well: managing windows efficiently, without unnecessary bloat.

The release of IceWM 3.9 in August 2025 is a perfect example of the project’s philosophy — small, deliberate improvements that enhance usability, modernise compatibility, and maintain the rock‑solid stability that has made it a favourite for decades.

This article will take you on a journey through IceWM’s history, design principles, the new features in version 3.9, and its place in today’s Linux ecosystem — including the many distributions that support it out of the box or make it easily available.

A Brief History of IceWM

IceWM was born in an era when computing resources were scarce by today’s standards. In the late 1990s, a typical desktop PC might have had 32–64 MB of RAM and a processor running at a few hundred megahertz. Running a heavy desktop environment could easily overwhelm such hardware.

Marko Maček, IceWM’s original author, set out to create a window manager that was:

Fast – minimal CPU and memory usage.
Simple – no unnecessary complexity in the interface or code.
Configurable – allowing users to tailor the look and feel to their liking.

From the start, IceWM included a taskbar, a dynamic menu system, and support for multiple workspaces. It could mimic the appearance of other operating systems, making it a comfortable choice for users migrating from Windows or other platforms.

Over the years, the project has passed through different maintainers, but its core ethos has remained unchanged. It has steadily incorporated modern X11 standards, UTF‑8 text rendering, and better integration with contemporary Linux distributions, all while keeping its lightweight nature intact.

The Philosophy Behind IceWM

IceWM’s enduring appeal lies in its clarity of purpose. It is not trying to be everything to everyone; instead, it focuses on three guiding principles:

Simplicity – The interface is intuitive, with minimal visual clutter.
Speed – Every feature is implemented with performance in mind.
Configurability – Users can customise themes, menus, and keybindings without complex tools.

Unlike tiling window managers, IceWM uses a stacking model, meaning windows can overlap freely. This is familiar to users coming from mainstream operating systems, while still offering advanced features for those who want them.

What’s New in IceWM 3.9

The 3.9 release is a refinement rather than a reinvention. It focuses on modernising cursor handling, improving scripting capabilities, and fixing subtle bugs that enhance the overall experience.

Feature Enhancements

Xcursor Support – IceWM now supports Xcursor files alongside the older XPM format, enabling higher‑quality, scalable cursor themes.
Themed Cursors in gdk‑pixbuf – The window manager can now use themed cursors in gdk‑pixbuf without relying on libXpm, reducing dependencies.
System Theme Fallback – If a theme does not define a cursor, IceWM will automatically use the system’s Xcursor theme.

Functional Improvements

New -kovered Filter in icesh – The icesh command‑line tool gains a filter to test whether a client window is covered, aiding automation.
Better UTF‑8 Handling – When truncating window titles in icesh, IceWM now respects UTF‑8 codepoint boundaries, preventing broken characters.

Bug Fixes

Network Device Handling – Avoids repeated attempts to read /proc/net/dev if it fails.
Stacking Order Accuracy – _NET_CLIENT_LIST_STACKING is now always kept up to date.
Colour Correction in icesh – Fixed incorrect red/blue values when loading or saving icons.
Cursor Hotspot Guessing – When hotspot data is missing in an XPM file, IceWM now intelligently guesses its position.

Updated Translations

Translations for Spanish, Hungarian, and Brazilian Portuguese have been refreshed, reflecting the project’s commitment to accessibility.

Why These Changes Matter

While these updates may seem modest, they are significant for long‑term usability:

Modern Cursor Support – Aligns IceWM with current Linux desktop standards.
Reduced Dependencies – Simplifies builds and reduces maintenance overhead.
Improved Automation – Enhancements to icesh benefit advanced users.
Better Internationalisation – Keeps IceWM accessible to a global audience.

Distributions That Support IceWM

One of IceWM’s strengths is its wide availability. It is included in the repositories of most major Linux distributions, making installation straightforward. Some even ship IceWM as the default window manager for specific editions.

You can find IceWM in:

Debian – Available in the official repositories; installable with apt install icewm.
Ubuntu – Easily installed from the default repos.
Arch Linux – Available via pacman -S icewm.
Fedora – Installable with dnf install icewm; Fedora also offers a dedicated IceWM spin.
openSUSE – Included in the repos; used as the default on some lightweight builds, including Raspberry Pi editions.
Gentoo – Available via emerge x11-wm/icewm.
Slackware – Included in its package set.
CentOS / AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux – Installable from EPEL or base repos depending on version.
antiX – Ships IceWM as the default window manager, heavily customised for usability.
Absolute Linux – Uses IceWM by default.
Legacy OS – Another distribution with IceWM as its primary interface.
NixOS – Available in the package collection.

Beyond Linux, IceWM is also available on most *BSD systems, further demonstrating its portability and adaptability.

How IceWM Compares to Other Lightweight Window Managers

When discussing lightweight window managers, IceWM often finds itself mentioned alongside names like Openbox, Fluxbox, JWM, and FVWM. Each of these projects shares the goal of delivering a fast, resource‑efficient desktop experience, but they approach it in subtly different ways.

Openbox is perhaps the most widely known of the group, thanks to its use as the default in distributions like LXDE and LXQt. It offers a clean, minimalist stacking environment with a strong emphasis on standards compliance and theming flexibility. Compared to IceWM, Openbox is more bare‑bones out of the box — it lacks a built-in taskbar or system tray, leaving users to assemble their own panel and applets. IceWM, by contrast, ships with an integrated taskbar, menu, and monitoring applets, making it more immediately usable without additional components.

Fluxbox is a fork of the older Blackbox project, and it retains a similar minimalist ethos. It is highly configurable and supports tabbed windows, which can be a productivity boost for certain workflows. Fluxbox’s menu system is entirely text‑based, requiring manual editing for changes, whereas IceWM offers both text‑based configuration and dynamic menus that can be generated automatically. Fluxbox tends to appeal to users who enjoy building their desktop environment piece by piece, while IceWM caters to those who want a ready‑to‑use setup that can still be customised deeply.

JWM (Joe’s Window Manager) is even lighter than IceWM in terms of memory footprint, making it a popular choice for ultra‑low‑resource systems such as those running Puppy Linux. It is written in C and uses only Xlib, which keeps it extremely lean. However, JWM’s visual theming options are more limited, and it lacks some of the integrated conveniences IceWM provides, such as its polished taskbar and richer theming engine. IceWM strikes a balance between JWM’s extreme minimalism and the more feature‑rich approach of Openbox or Fluxbox.

FVWM is a veteran in the window manager world, dating back to the early 1990s. It is incredibly powerful and scriptable, capable of mimicking almost any desktop paradigm. However, that power comes with a steeper learning curve. FVWM can be configured to be as light as IceWM, but doing so requires significant manual setup. IceWM, on the other hand, offers a more straightforward path to a functional, attractive desktop without extensive configuration.

When compared to tiling window managers like i3, bspwm, or dwm, IceWM occupies a different philosophical space. Tiling managers focus on keyboard‑driven workflows and automatic window placement, which can be extremely efficient for experienced users but intimidating for newcomers. IceWM’s stacking model is more familiar to those coming from mainstream operating systems, while still offering keyboard shortcuts and automation tools for those who want them.

In short, IceWM’s niche is clear: it is lightweight but complete, offering an integrated panel, menu, and applets without forcing the user to assemble these from scratch. It is less minimal than JWM, less modular than Openbox, and less complex than FVWM, but it blends the best of these worlds into a package that is fast, stable, and immediately usable.

It certainly occupies a different philosophical space. Tiling managers focus on keyboard‑driven workflows and automatic window placement, which can be extremely efficient for experienced users but intimidating for newcomers. IceWM’s stacking model is more familiar to those coming from mainstream operating systems, while still offering keyboard shortcuts and automation tools for those who want them.

This balance between familiarity and power is one of IceWM’s most enduring strengths. It doesn’t demand that you learn a radically different way of interacting with your desktop, yet it rewards those who take the time to explore its configuration files and scripting capabilities. For many, it represents the sweet spot: light enough to run on ancient hardware, but rich enough to serve as a daily driver on modern systems.

IceWM in the Modern Linux Landscape

In 2025, Linux users are spoiled for choice. Full‑featured desktop environments like GNOME, KDE Plasma, and Cinnamon offer integrated suites of applications, compositing effects, and deep system integration. At the other end of the spectrum, ultra‑minimalist window managers strip the experience down to the bare essentials. IceWM sits comfortably in the middle ground.

It offers:

Low resource usage – making it ideal for older hardware, embedded systems, and virtual machines.
Customisability without complexity – configuration via plain‑text files is approachable for beginners and powerful for experts.
Stability and longevity – a proven track record of reliability, with active maintenance ensuring compatibility with modern Linux distributions.

For users who want a fast, stable, and familiar interface without the overhead of a full desktop environment, IceWM remains a compelling choice.

Conclusion

IceWM 3.9 is a masterclass in incremental improvement. By modernising cursor handling, refining scripting tools, and maintaining its hallmark efficiency, it continues to serve both long‑time enthusiasts and newcomers seeking a lightweight yet capable desktop experience.

Its longevity is no accident — IceWM has always been about doing one thing well: providing a fast, stable, and customisable window management experience for X11. With 3.9, it reaffirms that commitment while quietly evolving to meet modern expectations.

Disclaimer:
All product names, logos, and brands mentioned are the property of their respective owners. IceWM is a trademark of its maintainers. This article is based on publicly available and official IceWM sources, with the aim of providing accurate and educational information. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to consult the official project resources for the most up‑to‑date details.

References:

*Bonus (To search online for IceWM in 3 BSDs):

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