Window managers and desktop environments

From Linux 101, The beginner's guide to all things Linux.

Contents 1 The Basics 2 Window Managers 3 Desktop Environments 4 Window Managers vs. Desktop Environments 5 GNOME 6 KDE 7 GNOME or KDE? 8 Xfce

[edit] The Basics

Think of a window manager as the frame of a picture, where an application runs. For example, the very top of an application where you can minimize, maximize, or close is your window manager. Features vary from one window manager to another. Some also provide menus for accessi