Linux Mint Forums

I'm trying to change the name of my Trash icon on my desktop. When I click on it, write a new name and press return, it just reverts back to Trash.

I tried going into the Configuration Editor and changing the key by hand, but the key (trash_icon_name) at apps>nautilus>desktop says "This key is not writable." when I select it. I see no options for locking or for unlocking this key. I can't change it as root; i.e., if I gksu gconf-editor. Deleting the key and making a new one creates a new, non-writable key. None of the other keys in that section have this problem.

How can I make it so I can re-name my Trash icon again?

EDIT: I should add that I've also opened Mandatory & Default windows from the File drop-down menu. The key did appear in the Default Window but I was able to remove it. It is also in the Mandatory window (and is the only key there) but I am unable to remove it, even with superuser privileges. I've tried editing the relevant .xml files in both /etc/gconf and ~/.gconf and restarting X, but nothing works.

I don't know which one it will be, but it should be under /usr/share/icons, under your theme selection or Mint..

The other location ~/.icons is empty, so it must be using the system directory for icons (/usr/share/icons)

In terminal, check
--might help in locating file..

• locate user-trash
  locate gnome-fs-trash

I'm not looking for the icon.. I know where that is. I want to rename it on my desktop so it doesn't say "Trash" underneath it - I just want to have a single space so that it appears blank when it's sitting there. Reason being I have a new wallpaper where the Trash icon blends in nicely with the background and looks almost like part of the photo, but the text underneath is a dead giveaway.

No matter what I do, I'm not allowed to rename that icon.

When I look at that key in my system it is set to 'Integer' as the key type. Right click on the key select 'Edit' and change the 'Type' box to 'String'. This will introduce a 'Value' box underneath it which you can type into or leave blank as you like.

If it doesn't work for you first time then try again as root (Alt/F2 then gksu gconf-editor).

viking777 wrote:When I look at that key in my system it is set to 'Integer' as the key type. Right click on the key select 'Edit' and change the 'Type' box to 'String'. This will introduce a 'Value' box underneath it which you can type into or leave blank as you like.

As myself:

viking777 wrote:If it doesn't work for you first time then try again as root (Alt/F2 then gksu gconf-editor).

As superuser:


The key isn't writable by me or by super-user - you can see the options to change anything are grayed out. I think that since gconf saves settings on a per-user basis, that when running gconf as super user or as root I get the settings for the root user. I should note that when I change to root in a terminal via sudo -su and run gconf-editor, the key there is editable and has no problems, but has no effect on my personal settings.

You'll also note that the given key value shows as blank. This is what I'm after anyways, and I think I got that because I edited the %gconf.xml file in ~/.gconf/desktop that holds that key. However, looking at my desktop, you can see that it's still labeled "Trash" and trying to rename it has no effect. Renaming the files in the hopes gconf will re-create new ones with default settings is also unsuccessful.



I tried running this command from a terminal both as myself and as super-user, in the hopes that it would reset all the values in the apps>nautilus>desktop folderBut that didn't unstick it either.

Sorry I can't help you then, but at least I see how the idea fits into your desktop - very clever!

I don't know what happened. I don't know how it changed. I was just explaining to my wife the problem I was having with renaming that icon and showing her you guys' replies. I clicked on the icon, hit F2 to rename which highlighted the name that was there, hit space & pressed enter to give it a blank name, and it stuck!

I haven't rebooted, I haven't restarted X... I... just don't know.

Anyway.. here's the finished product: