Where Does XFCE Store Settings?
XFCE stores settings as XML channels under ~/.config/xfce4/xfconf. Edit with xfconf-query or Settings Editor, not by hand.
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XFCE centers on xfconf, a D-Bus configuration store with one XML file per channel under ~/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml. Panel, window manager, power, keyboard, and terminal settings each get a channel. The Settings Manager, Settings Editor, and xfconf-query all read and write the same store.
Hand editing works only with the session stopped; the daemon overwrites open files on logout. That rule explains most lost-tweak stories. Panel layouts, plugins, and autostart entries live in sibling dirs under ~/.config/xfce4, so copy the whole tree for migration rather than single channels. Kiosk mode locks channels server-side for managed fleets.
Where XFCE stores this, by platform
~/.config/xfce4/xfconf (channels)
One XML file per settings channel. Edit live via xfconf-query or Settings Editor; hand edit only logged out. Panel and autostart siblings travel with it; copy the whole ~/.config/xfce4 tree.
Frequently asked questions
how do i back up my xfce settings
Copy ~/.config/xfce4 with the session stopped. Channels, panel layouts, and terminal configs travel together. Restore to the same path; version jumps (4.14 to 4.20) migrate on first login.
how do i change xfce settings from the terminal
Use xfconf-query -c <channel> -p <property> -s <value>. The xfce4-terminal channel moved into xfconf in 1.1.0, so old terminalrc advice no longer applies. Settings Editor shows every channel live.
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