On Unix-like operating systems, the xset command changes user settings for the X Window System. You can use xset to change the basic characteristics of your GUI, including the way your mouse and keyboard behave, and which display to use for your X session.

Syntax

xset [-display display] [-b] [b {on|off}] [b [volume [pitch [duration]]]] [-bc] [bc] [-c] [c {on|off}] [c [volume]] [+dpms] [-dpms] [dpms standby [ suspend [ off]]] [dpms force {standby|suspend|off|on}] [fp=pathlist] [-fp=pathlist] [+fp=pathlist] [fp-pathlist] [fp+pathlist] [fp default] [fp rehash] [-led [integer|named indicator]] [led [integer|named indicator]] [led {on|off}] [mouse [accel_mult[/accel_div] [threshold]]] [mouse default] [p pixel color] [-r [keycode]] [r [keycode]] [r {on|off}] [r rate delay [rate]] [s [length [period]]] [s {blank|noblank}] [s {expose|noexpose}] [s {on|off}] [s default] [s activate] [s reset] [q]

Options

By default, the pointer (the on-screen representation of the pointing device) goes “acceleration” times as fast when the device travels more than “threshold” “mickeys” (i.e., would-be pixels) in 10 ms, including a small transition range. This way, the pointing device can be used for precise alignment when it is moved slowly, yet it can be set to travel across the screen in a flick of the wrist when desired. One or both parameters for the m option can be omitted, but if only one is given, it will be interpreted as the acceleration. If no parameters or the flag ‘default’ is used, the system defaults will be set.

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xset led named “Scroll Lock”

If the “threshold” parameter is provided and is 0, the “acceleration” parameter will be used in the exponent of a more natural and continuous formula, giving precise control for slow motion but big reach for fast motion, and a progressive transition for motions between. The recommended “acceleration” value is 3/2 to 3, but not limited to that range.

In X Server 1.6 and above, the behaviour described so far is linked to the default profile. There are other profiles (i.e., functions determining pointer acceleration from device velocity) and additional settings, so the above description may not apply to non-default cases. In the X Server 1.7, these are available as input device properties.

These settings are reset to default values when you log out.

Examples

xset q

Display the values of all current X Window System preferences.

X — Executable of the X Window System.