How to define the default environment (KDE,GNOME,...) using

[Domenico_1]

the command line.
Which file do I have to modify in a Debian Linux server?
I was able to do it from the login screen --> session and choose KDE then replied yes to the question:
Do you wish to make KDE the default for future sessions?
But I am interested to know which file(s) to modify.
Many thanks in advance.
Domenico.

[Ted M Johnson_1]

"switchdesk" is the command you want.

Also, to find the file that contrtols the desktop, you can do something like

# find /etc -name desktop

It should find /etc/sysconfig/desktop as a match. Of course, man switchdesk should give you lots of info also...

Good Luck.

-ted

[Domenico_1]

Hello Ted,

I installed the Debian Flavor of Linux and I cannot find out the switchdesk command nor the /etc/sysconfig/desktop
Indeed I could check this out on redhat...
Any othe suggestions?
Thanks for your help.
Domenico.

[Marcin Golembski_1 · Accepted solution]

I think the file to look for is named xinitrc.

On my system (Slackware) it is located in /etc/X11/xinit and in fact it is a symbolic link to one of the actual scripts located in the same directory, named xinitrc.kde, xinitrc.wmaker, xinitrc.gnome etc. This configures the global default window manager.

Current user's setting might be kept in ~/.xinitrc file.

[Domenico_1]

Thanks Marcin,

I inserted the needed line (/usr/bin/kdm) in the $HOME/.xinitrc to start kde in my session and this is ok so far .