How to Install Desktop Environments in Ubuntu Linux

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Intelligent Gaming

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Published on January 28, 2021 4:00:08 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_6dSv_uM_A

Game:

QT (2020)

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Guide

Duration: 5:22

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In this video I show you how to install and use different desktop environments in Ubuntu Linux.

1. Some Considerations

The process of installing and using multiple desktop environments is relatively straightforward, but there are a couple of things to consider before doing so.

First, I would strongly recommend creating a separate user account for each desktop environment, and the reason for that is that often themes or config files for desktop environments are stored on a user-by-user basis.

Secondly, many desktop environments will have their own default applications, for example having KDE Plasma and Gnome installed will mean you will now have two separate Terminal emulators in Konsole and Terminal respectively.

Finally, applications developed in one environment will look odd in another, for example installing Kdenlive which is developed using QT on Ubuntu using Gnome will look out of place.
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2. Update Your System

I recommend that before you install any desktop environment, you have completely updated your system.

You can do that with the following Terminal command:

sudo apt install && sudo apt upgrade -y

Reboot once done.
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3. Installing A Different Desktop Environment

KDE Plasma can be installed with the following Terminal command:

sudo apt install kde-standard

Alternatively, for Mate:

sudo apt install mate-desktop-environment mate-desktop-environment-extras ubuntu-mate-themes

For Cinnamon:

sudo apt install cinnamon-desktop-environment

And for XFCE, it will be:

sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies

When prompted to choose a display manager, I recommend you stick with the Gnome Display Manager.

Once the process is complete, reboot your system.
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4. Logging into A Different Desktop Environment

To sign into a different desktop environment, click on the gear icon, and select one from the list, for example, to use the KDE Plasma desktop environment, choose the plasma option, and then sign into your user account as normal.

5. Removing Desktop Environments

If you decide later that you want to remove a desktop environment, this can be done in a couple of Terminal commands.

For example, to remove KDE Plasma on Ubuntu based distributions, you would use the following two commands:

sudo apt purge kde-*
sudo apt autoremove

#ubuntu #kdeplasma #desktopenvironments

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