IceWM is a lightweight stacking window manager for the X Window System. Its interface provides familiar desktop controls inspired by traditional graphical environments, including application menus, a taskbar and multiple workspaces.
The software is designed to operate efficiently while offering a practical set of features for everyday desktop use. It can serve as the basis of a standalone graphical session without requiring a complete desktop environment.
IceWM includes supporting components for managing desktop backgrounds, sessions and system tray applications. Configuration is handled through text files, allowing settings and keyboard shortcuts to be adjusted directly.
Its theme system supports a wide range of visual styles, while window management rules allow particular applications to receive customised behaviour.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Traditional stacking window management for X11 applications.
- Configurable taskbar with application buttons, menus and system information.
- Application menu for launching programs and executing commands.
- Multiple virtual workspaces with keyboard navigation.
- Keyboard-driven window movement, resizing and switching.
- Alt-Tab window switching and application window lists.
- Configurable window focus, raising and placement policies.
- Customisable window decorations and desktop themes.
- Optional system tray handling through icewmtray.
- Desktop background management through icewmbg.
- Session management using icewm-session.
- Window-specific rules controlling application behaviour.
- Support for conventional minimisation, maximisation, shading and fullscreen controls.
- Text-based configuration for preferences, menus and keyboard shortcuts.
- Internationalisation and support for translated interface elements.
Website: github.com/bbidulock/icewm
Support:
Developer: Marko Macek, Mathias Hasselmann and contributors
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
IceWM is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Stacking Window Managers | |
|---|---|
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| JWM | Joe’s Window Manager |
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| Blackbox | Similar to the NeXT interface and Window Maker |
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| Marco | MATE default window manager |
| 2bwm | Offers 2 borders, and written over the XCB library |
| cwm | OpenBSD fork of calmwn, a clean and lightweight window manager |
| IceWM | Win95-OS/2-Motif-like window manager |
| Sawfish | Extensible window manager using an Emacs Lisp-like scripting language |
| Moksha | Modern iteration of the Enlightenment window manager |
| Magpie | X11 window manager and compositor library |
| EMWM | Fork of the Motif Window Manager |
| sowm | Itsy bitsy floating window manager |
| CTWM | X11 window manager derived from twm |
| Compiz | OpenGL window and compositing manager |
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