How to Remove LXDE from Ubuntu and Install a New Desktop Environment

Ubuntu's LXDE desktop environment offers a lightweight and intuitive interface, suitable for users with older hardware or those who need a less resource-intensive desktop solution. However, sometimes you might want to switch to a different desktop environment or completely remove LXDE. This guide will walk you through the process of removing LXDE and installing a preferred desktop environment on Ubuntu.

Steps to Remove LXDE from Ubuntu

Remove LXDE from your Ubuntu system by following these steps:

Step 1: Open a Terminal

Open the Terminal to execute the necessary commands. You can do this by searching for Ctrl Alt T.

Step 2: Log Out of LXDE

Make sure you are not currently using the LXDE session. Log out and log into a different desktop environment such as GNOME or XFCE if you have one installed.

Step 3: Remove LXDE Packages

Remove LXDE and its associated packages using the following command:

sudo apt remove --purge lxde lxdm lxsession lxpanel lxappearance lxmenu-data

This command will remove the main LXDE packages and purge their configuration files.

Step 4: Remove Unused Dependencies

After removing LXDE, clean up any unused packages with:

sudo apt autoremove

Step 5: Confirm Removal

To ensure that LXDE has been removed, check the installed desktop environments with:

dpkg --get-selections | grep lxde

If nothing shows up, then LXDE has been successfully removed.

Step 6: Reboot Your System

Finally, reboot your system to ensure all changes take effect:

sudo reboot

After following these steps, LXDE should be completely removed from your Ubuntu system. If you have any specific LXDE-related applications installed that you also want to remove, you can do so using the same apt remove --purge command with the specific package names.

Installing a New Desktop Environment on Ubuntu

After removing LXDE, you might want to install a different desktop environment. There are several options available, including Xubuntu (XFCE), Ubuntu MATE, GNOME, and KDE. Each of these desktop environments has distinct features and resource requirements.

Gnome

Gnome is a heavier desktop environment compared to XFCE and MATE. It is known for its visual appeal and modern interface. As a result, it might require more system resources. To install Gnome, run:

sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop

Once the installation is complete, log out and choose Gnome from the login screen options.

XFCE and MATE

XFCE and MATE are both lighter alternatives to Gnome. They provide a more lightweight experience suitable for older hardware. To install Xfce, run:

sudo apt install xfce4

For MATE, use the following command:

sudo apt install ubuntu-mate-core ubuntu-mate-desktop

After installation, log out and choose the desired DE from the login screen options.

Running Ubuntu Without a GUI

If you prefer to run Ubuntu without a GUI, you can do so via the command line. Although Ubuntu does not provide a built-in GUI for this purpose, you can achieve it through the command line. You can search for guides on 'Ubuntu without GUI' or similar terms to find the necessary steps.

Remember: Removing a desktop environment can mean losing some of its bundled applications. Ensure that you have installed any necessary applications in advance.