[Customising] Kali 2.x + XFCE 4 Window Manager + axiomd Theme

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2015-08-31
g0tmi1k

[Customising] Kali 2.x + XFCE 4 Window Manager + axiomd Theme
This has been tried & tested on Kali 2.0 (x86 & x64 - Full & Light).

...Other variations of Kali may not work out of the box.

For Kali 1 users, see this script.

Quick / TL;DR
Open a terminal window and paste in the following command (this will pull the rest of commands, and automatically run them):

Code:

curl -s http://pastebin.com/raw.php?i=58wsGhBD | tr -d '\15\32' | bash

Comparison (GNOME vs XFCE)
On the left is GNOME 3.10, the right XFCE 4.10.

http://i.imgur.com/1Bx61hBh.png
Full Image

Other XFCE4 Screenshots

http://i.imgur.com/jMLKwcvh.png
Full Image

What is XFCE4?
It's a Window Manager/Desktop Environment.
By default, Kali 2.0 and Kali mini (x86 & x64 builds) use GNOME 3.10. This will install XFCE4, allowing you to switch between them each time you login to Kali.
Please note, Kali Light and Kali ARM already use XFCE4 - just without the 'axiomd theme' or any configurations.
If you don't like XFCE, you can switch back to GNOME next time you login.

How do I start XFCE?
On the login screen, when you type in your password there is a settings button (as seen in the screenshot below) allowing you to select which desktop environment to use for that session.

http://i.imgur.com/CqeDLEvl.png

If you wish to change the default, run the following command:

Code:

echo xfce4-session > /root/.xsession

Why switch to XFCE4? What's wrong with GNOME?
There's lots of reasons for and against them both. I'm not going to get into it here.
This is here purely if you wish to use my personal take/build/customisations of Kali using XFCE4.

What other tweaks can I do with my Kali install afterwards?
- See the following post: (Bonus) Other Customizations
- Offensive-security.com/kali-linux/top-10-post-install-tips/
- Common Tool Issues Differences Between Kali 1.0 and 2.0.
Like this sort of stuff? Want more?
- The rest of my personal modifications & tweaks can be found here here - github.com/g0tmi1k/os-scripts/kali.sh
- If you want some GNOME 3.10 tweaks
Any off topic replies will be deleted.
2015-09-10
blacksabbath

Man thnx a lot works fine!! XFCE for me is the best =) and system works better with xfce then gnome =)
2015-10-07
Stefan.W

Hello,

you write the command "echo xfce4-session > /root/.xsession" set XFCE as Default. Who can i choose Gnome Classic as System-Default?
2015-10-07
g0tmi1k

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan.W

Hello,

you write the command "echo xfce4-session > /root/.xsession" set XFCE as Default. Who can i choose Gnome Classic as System-Default?

Just need to remove it =).

Code:

rm /root/.xsession
2015-10-07
Stefan.W

Quote:

rm /root/.xsession
rm: das Entfernen von „/root/.xsession“ ist nicht möglich: Datei oder Verzeichnis nicht gefunden

I have not installed XFCE. I only want that Gnome-Classic is the System-Default.
2015-10-12
ice99

By default Kali 2.0 include XFCE 4.8
But already we have 4.12 release of XFCE. Can i update to 4.12 without functional problems?
4.12 not presented in Kali official repository.
2015-10-13
g0tmi1k

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan.W

I have not installed XFCE. I only want that Gnome-Classic is the System-Default.

Little offtopic, so then these pages cover it: https://askubuntu.com/questions/6283...ng-auto-logins
https://help.gnome.org/admin/system-...n-user.html.en

Quote:

Originally Posted by ice99

By default Kali 2.0 include XFCE 4.8
But already we have 4.12 release of XFCE. Can i update to 4.12 without functional problems?
4.12 not presented in Kali official repository.

I haven't done it - so I cannot comment.
I dont see a need to upgrade to anything higher than whats in the repo (personally I dont need the features/support it offers).
If you want to try - go for it. Best of luck.
2015-10-13
ice99

Quote:

Originally Posted by g0tmi1k

I dont see a need to upgrade to anything higher than whats in the repo (personally I dont need the features/support it offers).

Unfortunately 4.8 don't have (in Desktop properties tab) option "Use single click on desktop icons". In Thunar everything is ok, but not on desktop icons and files.

Oh, by the way- on top screenshot you have XFCE 4.10 version on Kali 2. HOW, you install it? i only can install 4.8 from repository.
2015-10-20
g0tmi1k

Quote:

Originally Posted by ice99

Unfortunately 4.8 don't have (in Desktop properties tab) option "Use single click on desktop icons". In Thunar everything is ok, but not on desktop icons and files.

Oh, by the way- on top screenshot you have XFCE 4.10 version on Kali 2. HOW, you install it? i only can install 4.8 from repository.

Everything is from the kali repo.
Using the standard repos (not rolling/bleeding edge etc).

See the pastebin link for the exact commands used. There isn't anything more done.
2015-10-31
hightech316
Quote:
Originally Posted by g0tmi1k

Like this sort of stuff? Want more?

The rest of my personal modifications & tweaks can be found here here - github.com/g0tmi1k/os-scripts/kali.sh

Any off topic replies will be deleted.
As I mentioned in the other post, Thanks for sharing your script.

I do have another question, that I could not find myself.

I've searched through your script, I'm not sure what part of the script is needed to configure the console . I would like to apply the customization you have done to the console, on a new user account w/o re-running the script again.

Once again, thanks for sharing.:cool:
2015-11-02
hightech316

I have a fresh install of Kali, I've downloaded the recent os-scripts from your github.

For some reason I get the following error when I begin the script .

Quote:

[+] Disabling notification package updater service ~ in case it runs during this script
[!] Failed to kill /usr/lib/apt/methods/http
[!] There another service (other than this script) using Advanced Packaging Tool currently

apt is not running anywhere else. I've tried a few dfferent things, no luck.
2015-11-03
g0tmi1k

Quote:

Originally Posted by hightech316

I've searched through your script, I'm not sure what part of the script is needed to configure the console . I would like to apply the customization you have done to the console, on a new user account w/o re-running the script again.

The script was not designed for this (nor Kali). It would be a lot of work to make it happen - "root" has been used & hardcoded (and without permission checks).

Quote:

Originally Posted by hightech316

For some reason I get the following error when I begin the script .
apt is not running anywhere else. I've tried a few dfferent things, no luck.

If you are 100% sure, nothing else is using 'apt-get' - remove the following files before re-running the script:

/var/lib/dpkg/lock
/var/lib/apt/lists/lock
2015-11-04
hightech316

Quote:

Originally Posted by g0tmi1k

The script was not designed for this (nor Kali). It would be a lot of work to make it happen - "root" has been used & hardcoded (and without permission checks).

If you are 100% sure, nothing else is using 'apt-get' - remove the following files before re-running the script:

/var/lib/dpkg/lock
/var/lib/apt/lists/lock

For some reason the latest script did not agree with my Kali Installation

I used the last revision of the script , I was able to get a little further until

Quote:

[i] Detected multiple kernels installed

Seems I do have more then one,

Quote:

root@kb0x:~/Desktop# dpkg --list | grep linux-image
ii linux-image-4.0.0-kali1-amd64 4.0.4-1+kali2 amd64 Linux 4.0 for 64-bit PCs
ii linux-image-4.1.0-kali1-amd64 4.1.6-1kali2 amd64 Linux 4.1 for 64-bit PCs
ii linux-image-amd64 4.1+67+kali1 amd64 Linux for 64-bit PCs (meta-package)

I'm using the latest kernel at the moment. What do you suggest I do?

EDIT:

I've tried renaming the old kernel, no luck.

I removed the old one that was not in use and now the script is running.
2015-11-04
g0tmi1k

Quote:

Originally Posted by hightech316

I used the last revision of the script , I was able to get a little further until

Seems I do have more then one,

I'm using the latest kernel at the moment. What do you suggest I do?

I've tried renaming the old kernel, no luck.

Don't rename. Remove.

Reboot & make sure you are using the latest version before removing the older kernels. There's various guides online how todo this.
2015-11-05
hightech316

Quote:

Originally Posted by g0tmi1k

Don't rename. Remove.

Reboot & make sure you are using the latest version before removing the older kernels. There's various guides online how todo this.

Thanks,

I verified that I was booting with the most recent kernel by checking grub.conf. Then removed others with apt .

Script finished.
2015-11-16
g0tmi1k

Any more posts asking how to use whats on Github will be removed.

If I came from Github, ask on Github.
This thread is for getting XFCE on Kali, using whats on pastebin.
2015-11-29
fruchttiger00x0

My apologies

of course you're right, this thread gives only a subtile hint to the postinstall script on github. I followed your advice and had opened an issue as you have surely noticed. Hope to hear from you guys.

Thx
2015-12-26
r0tati0n

For some reason the TL;DR code did not work.

I used this:

Code:

curl -s http://pastebin.com/raw/58wsGhBD | tr -d '\15\32' | bash
2016-01-05
deanMKD1

Quote:

Originally Posted by r0tati0n

For some reason the TL;DR code did not work.

I used this:

Code:

curl -s http://pastebin.com/raw/58wsGhBD | tr -d '\15\32' | bash

Use this in termainal:

Code:

curl -s http://pastebin.com/raw/58wsGhBD | tr -d '\15\32' | bash

Say thank you !! ;)

I tested this and works, but cant control brightness with FN+F5 or F6 keys. Also sound in missing... These options works great in default Gnome in Kali 2.0. How to get working this things in XFCE4?

EDIT: I fixed brightness issues with installing this packages via "Packages" utility:

http://i.imgur.com/XLyQK6J.png
2016-01-19
Gn0m3

Hello, since running kali.sh script I'm not being able to access shares through gnome or XFCE, I've tried Thunar and Nautilus and the result is the same, can you help me sort this out please?

Best Regards.

Gn0m3
2016-01-29
Andys

Followed the script on new 2016 release of Kali. Works ok just one problem. There is icons missing for the folders and subfolders of application menu. Any fix?
2016-01-30
deanMKD1

Can you post screenshot where is that icons that is missing? In my Kali is all OK.
2016-02-04
katana1

XFCE KALI LINUX 2.0 TUTORIAL: http://haker.edu.pl/2016/02/03/kali-...stalacja-xfce/
2016-02-04
Andys

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanMKD1

Can you post screenshot where is that icons that is missing? In my Kali is all OK.

take a look at this attachment

Attachment 1196
2016-03-10
brew balls

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andys

take a look at this attachment

Attachment 1196

I'm in the same boat. Looks like you can change it via a menu file but I can't seem to find the correct file to modify.

Update

I did an upgrade and a dist-upgrade, and now the category menu icons are back. Note, I have not upgraded to the rolling release yet.
2016-07-07
Onkelpoe

hi there,

do you have this "axiomd" theme around? the DL is broken and I only found the light theme "Axiom", but not the dark one (was not included in the tar gz)
Ironically, I DL and installed this theme (the dark one!) just 1-2 weeks ago (!) But now, I can not find it on the Internet...

I mean, there are still some "90145-axiom-xfwm.tar.gz" out there - but only the light theme is included, tried 6 differents DL thus far...

Oh and the script does not run 100% on ARM chromebooks... but at least, I got the "Kali Start button" for the applications-menu ;)

Cheers!
2016-07-07
Onkelpoe

the DL is working again and now contains the axiomd (dark) theme again :)

yiehhhaahh
2016-10-17
kalasel

The link to the Axiomd theme doesn't work, in order to fix it, make a file and copy g0tmi1k's code into it,
in the end of the code, there's a link with 'curl', change the url in the quotes to the following url :
https://dl.opendesktop.org/api/files...5-axiom.tar.gz

Have fun :-)
2016-10-18
kalasel

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalasel

The link to the Axiomd theme doesn't work, in order to fix it, make a file and copy g0tmi1k's code into it,
in the end of the code, there's a link with 'curl', change the url in the quotes to the following url :
https://dl.opendesktop.org/api/files...5-axiom.tar.gz

Have fun :-)

after making a file with g0tmi1k's code, do the following:

cat filename | tr -d '\15\32' | bash

it should work now, have a great day =)
2016-11-10
karencho

hello can you help me to install that themes :

https://www.gnome-look.org/content/s...content=136291

https://www.gnome-look.org/p/1012873/

i am using kali 2016 x86 how can i install them?i copied folders to usr/share/themes but Legacy theme was not in drop down list to aply it,and tron theme could not install properly ... so can you help?
2017-10-14
alvinoo

Quote:

curl -s https://pastebin.com/raw/t6BcrDVj | tr -d '\15\32' | bash

I have replaced the line with Axiom and applied the theme.
Thank you for your help.