Thunar has an option to add context menu custom actions to open Terminal, or to open folders and files in different applications.
Could it be possible to add a menu custom action that would open Thunar itself as root?
5 Answers
It appears that this is indeed possible. Following are specific instructions to add such an action, taken from the Xfce site.
Opening a root Thunar
Name: Open a root Thunar here
Command: gksu thunar %f
File pattern: *
Appears if selection contains: Directories
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is there a way that change is so that i can open nearly anthing as root?– user194862Oct 10, 2013 at 11:54
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Would there be a reason why this doesn't work? Neither this nor "edit folder as root" do anything for me... nothing opens or happens... Oct 15, 2014 at 0:12
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2to add: gksu not installed by default in xubuntu, sudo is. "sudo thunar %f" doesn't work, presumably because there's no way to pass the password to it. "thunar %f" works. You have to right-click a folder. Sep 19, 2015 at 16:00
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Thank you! I read in a tuto to make "sudo..." instead of gksu for shortcut launchers, but it wasn't working. This one really works.– QuidamApr 24, 2020 at 18:22
As of 18.04 gksu is no longer even included in the default repositories. The recommended way to do this now is as follows:
Name: Open as admin
Command: thunar admin://%f
File pattern: *
Appears if selection contains: Directories
Weirdly though, Polkit will sometimes ask for the password twice when you first use this command. The elevated privileges seem to persist for several minutes so you won't be asked for the password again if you use the command several times in a short space of time.
Be aware that this isn't true root. You can modify or delete any files that would require root privileges via this method, however any files you create will just have your default user permissions.
if gksu is not installed:
pkexec thunar %f
according to https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/thunar-open-as-root/6801/7
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This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review Oct 4, 2021 at 10:27
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sorry @ThunderBird but i do not see any problem with my answer. If i did something wrong i can remove my answer Oct 8, 2021 at 11:40
a dirty little trick i use because on my distro the "%f" will never be blatantly passed on to pkexe
create a newfile with the following
#!/bin/sh
# Super User Execute
# Gives PkExec current environmental variables
# and passes current parameters thru running shells to it.
#
# Use this file instead of gksu, gksudo, and, pkexe.
# /usr/bin/suxe
pkexec env DISPLAY=$DISPLAY XAUTHORITY=$XAUTHORITY $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6
save it as: ~/suxe (note: some distros DO NOT like the ~/ shorthand for home folder access. So, use your actual path in this situation) e.g /home/Johnny/Documents/suxe
then make it an executable file in /usr/bin
sudo cp ~/suxe /usr/bin/suxe
make it executable
cd /usr/bin
su chmod -x ./suxe
now in Thunars' custom action use:
Name: Open with admin access
Command: suxe thunar %f
File pattern: *
Appears if selection contains: Directories
hope this helps
I found with UbuntuStudio 18.04 suxe thunar method works without the %f but only after right clicking on a thunar file/folder pane. Doesn't work when right clicking on the desktop.
