Ultrix Window Manager

uwm

UWM running in Linux with some windows open.
Original author(s)	Mike Gancarz, Bob Scheifler
Initial release	1985
Development status	Historic
Written in	C
Operating system	Unix-like
Type	Window manager
License	Similar to BSD License

The Ultrix Window Manager (uwm) is a historic standard window manager software for the X Window System from X11R1 through X11R3 releases. In fact, it was the only X11-compatible window manager as of X11R1.

The Ultrix Window Manager was developed by the Digital Equipment Corporation for their Ultrix operating system. It was released in 1985. Shortly thereafter, it became included as part of the base X Window System distribution, beginning with X10R3. Initially, it was distributed alongside two other window managers (xwm and xnwm).

In 1986, the X Window System switched to version 11 of the protocol. Only uwm was ported, so it became the only window manager for X Window System until X11R4 release, where it was replaced by twm. uwm has never been updated since.

Unlike more recent window managers, uwm was not re-parenting, and did not place frames or title bars on windows. Instead, all window management functionality was accessed either by clicking on the root window to bring up a menu or by holding down the Meta key while clicking or dragging within windows. It was possible to configure the key and mouse button bindings and the contents of the menus by using a configuration file, a feature inherited by many later window managers.

uwm did not provide ICCCM compatibility or multiple screen support.

Descendants of uwm include awm and Tekwm (the Tektronix Window Manager), which also are currently not updated.