How to set a global dconf value for gnome/gdm

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Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 12
Gnome/gdm Desktop environment

Situation

Need a specific dconf setting to be set for gdm.

Example: gdm login screen must not list the available users.

The gdm dconf database is kept in the gdm users home directory /var/lib/gdm/. Normally a user can modify their own dconf settings which adds the entries to the database in their home directory. However, since gdm is not a regular user, a method is provided to modify gdm's settings.

Resolution

This example is specific for disabling the user list but the same procedure would be used for any gdm dconf setting.

1. Create a new gdm keyfile under /etc/dconf/db/gdm.d/. The gdm.d directory does not exist by default so create the directory if needed then create the new file. The file name should start with a two digit number and a dash, similar to "10-local-gdm-settings".

The text in the file will identify the path to the schema and the value to be set. Add the following text to the file to disable the user list:

[org/gnome/login-screen]

# Do not show the user list

disable-user-list=true

Multiple entries can be made in the same file and multiple values can be placed under the same schema section.

2. Create a new file (if it doesn't exist) called "gdm" in the directory /etc/dconf/profile/ and add the following text for the gdm profile:

user-db:user

system-db:gdm

file-db:/usr/share/gdm/greeter-dconf-defaults

3. After the files are in place run "dconf update" as the root user to have it take effect.

Cause

Disclaimer

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