.desktop files (II): desktop shorcuts and X sessions
You can create a .desktop file to add a shortcut in your Desktop. You can also add X session options to your login graphical screen.
Desktop shortcuts
Just create a .desktop file in your Desktop folder:
# $HOME/Desktop/thunar.desktop
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Thunar
Comment=File Manager
Type=Application
Exec=/usr/bin/thunar
Then, mark it as executable (chmod +x $HOME/Desktop/thunar.desktop). You can add an icon (Icon=/path/to/icon). Icon path can be an absolute path or simply a filename if the icon file is inside $XDG_DATA_DIRS/icons or /usr/share/pixmaps.
X sessions
When you install a desktop environment or a window manager, it usually shows automatically in your login screen as an option. But if this does not happen, you can create a .desktop file inside /usr/share/xsessions (you need superuser privileges).
# /usr/share/xsessions/xfce-custom.desktop
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Custom XFCE
Comment=Run XFCE desktop environment
Type=Application
Exec=startxfce4
Then, logout to see the new session option.
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