Nemo

What is Nemo?

Nemo is the file manager component of the MATE desktop environment, which itself is a continuation of GNOME 2. It was forked from Nautilus in 2011 to preserve the classic desktop metaphor and extend functionality through customization and plugins. Nemo has been actively maintained for over a decade and is stable, mature, and well-integrated in MATE-based systems.

It's ideal for users who prefer a desktop experience similar to Windows File Explorer—especially those migrating from Windows or using Linux on older hardware. Its right-click menus, sidebar navigation, and tab support provide a familiar workflow. It's also popular among users who value simplicity and don’t want a minimalist or gesture-driven interface.

Compared to Windows File Explorer, Nemo feels more static but just as functional. It lacks cloud integration by default but supports extensions for added features. The interface is dense and efficient, with dual panes, location bar toggles, and desktop icon management—offering more control than modern Windows explorers while missing some polish and search speed.

Best for: Users who want a traditional, desktop-integrated file manager with full control over their workspace.

Key features of Nemo

• Dual-pane file browsing with split view
• Desktop icons and wallpaper management
• Extensive right-click context menu options
• Tabbed browsing for multiple directories
• Built-in file search and location bar
• Support for extensions and custom actions
• Network browsing via SMB, FTP, and WebDAV
• Drag-and-drop and keyboard shortcut support

Tips for Windows users

Coming from Windows File Explorer, expect Nemo to handle the same file systems (NTFS, FAT, exFAT) and common formats (ZIP, PDF, media). Use Ctrl+L to edit the path directly, and F2 to rename. Tabs replace multiple windows for efficiency. Right-click menus are rich, but some actions require enabling extensions first. Desktop icons behave more predictably than in many other Linux file managers.