What is PCManFM?
PCManFM is the official file manager of the LXDE desktop environment, although it is also used in other lightweight desktops such as LXQt and in distributions that prioritize low resource consumption. Developed by Hong Jen Yee (PCMan), its main goal is to offer a fast, simple, and fully configurable experience without sacrificing advanced functionalities.
Installation and first steps
In most Debian/Ubuntu-based distributions it is enough to run sudo apt install pcmanfm. In Fedora use sudo dnf install pcmanfm and in Arch Linux sudo pacman -S pcmanfm. After installation, you can launch the program from the applications menu or by typing pcmanfm in a terminal. Upon opening it, you will notice its clean interface: a top menu bar, an optional side panel, and the main folder view.
Highlighted features
- Icon, list, and detail view, with the possibility to preview images and PDF files.
- Tab support, allowing opening several locations within a single window.
- Integration with the GVFS mounting service, which allows accessing remote drives (SMB, FTP, SSH) transparently.
- Customizable actions via the context menu and the possibility to define your own scripts.
- Integrated quick search, accessible with Ctrl+F, that filters results in real time.
- Drag-and-drop options between tabs and panels, improving productivity in copy and move tasks.
Advanced customization
PCManFM stores its configuration in the directory ~/.config/pcmanfm. There you can edit the file desktop-items-0.conf to change the desktop behavior, or modify pcmanfm.conf to adjust aspects such as icon size, sort order, and visibility of hidden files. Moreover, by using gtk-bookmarks you can create bookmarks for favorite folders that appear in the side panel.
Use in production environments and servers
Although its focus is the desktop, PCManFM is useful in servers with a lightweight graphical interface, especially when you need to manage files via SSH with X11 forwarding or via VNC. Its low memory consumption (less than 50 MB in typical execution) makes it ideal for virtual machines or containers where every megabyte counts.
Comparison with other file managers
- Compared to Nautilus (GNOME Files), PCManFM is much faster and consumes fewer resources, although it lacks some deep integrations with the GNOME ecosystem.
- Compared to Dolphin (KDE), it offers fewer advanced features such as the detailed information panel, but gains in simplicity and startup speed.
- In relation to Thunar (XFCE), both are lightweight; however, PCManFM stands out for its native tab support and its more direct integration with LXQt.
Conclusion
PCManFM represents a balanced option for users seeking an agile, fully configurable file manager compatible with most lightweight Linux desktop environments. Its active development, the community behind LXQt, and ease of installation make it a tool worthy of consideration both on personal workstations and in environments where performance is critical.