Installing KDE on Ubuntu: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever wondered if you can

Indeed, it is possible to install KDE on an Ubuntu system instead of the default Gnome desktop, and many users find this to be a smoother and more efficient way to navigate their systems. This guide will walk you through the steps of replacing Gnome with KDE on Ubuntu, along with advice on backing up your system and choosing the right version of KDE. We will also cover how to make KDE your default desktop, and address the rare occasion when you might want to remove Gnome from an already installed system.

Introduction to KDE and Ubuntu

KDE, short for The K Desktop Environment, is a popular and feature-rich graphical user interface for Linux operating systems. On the other hand, Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions, known for its user-friendly interface and wide range of applications. Users migrating from one distribution to another can often appreciate the smooth transition they get with KDE on their existing Ubuntu system.

Steps to Install KDE on Ubuntu

Before attempting to install KDE on your Ubuntu system, it is crucial to back up your important files and configurations. A reliable tool for this task is Timeshift, which can help you manage snapshots of your system, making it easier to revert changes if something goes wrong.

1. Install KDE Plasma Desktop

To install the KDE Plasma desktop, you can use the terminal. Here are the steps:

Open the terminal and update your system:

sudo apt updatesudo apt upgrade -y

For a minimal installation, install the KDE Plasma desktop with the following command:

sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop

To install a more comprehensive version of KDE, you can use:

sudo apt install kde-full

During the installation, you will be prompted to choose a display manager. Ensure that SLiM or LightDM is selected.

Reboot your system and log in using the KDE Plasma desktop.

2. Remove the Large Keyboard Screen (Optional)

After rebooting, you may encounter a large, unsightly keyboard screen. You can hide it by following these steps:

Press Ctrl Alt F5 to switch to a different virtual terminal. This can also be done by pressing Ctrl Alt F2.

Log in to your user account and open the terminal.

Create or edit the file by running the following commands:

sudo nano 

Add the following line at the [General] section:

[General]InputMethod

Save and exit the file by pressing Ctrl O to write the changes and Ctrl X to exit.

Reboot your system and you should no longer see the large keyboard screen.

3. Make KDE Your Default Desktop

If you want KDE to be your default desktop session, follow these steps:

Open the Login Screen (SLiM or LightDM) and choose KDE as your session during login.

To ensure KDE always launches at startup, you can use DDE (Desktop Directories and Environment).

1. Open a terminal and type:

sudo lightdm-set-defaults -s kde-plasma

Alternative Installation Methods

When you install Ubuntu, you have the option to select KDE during the installation process. Alternatively, you can install KDE after the system is set up:

During the installation, choose KDE from the available desktop environments.

For an already installed Ubuntu system, you can install KDE using the terminal commands provided and make it your default session as described above.

It is possible to uninstall the original desktop after installing a new one, but this is not always necessary, as the space saved is minimal.

Most Linux distributions allow for clean removal of installed software, but uncleanly removing the original desktop environment can be more complex.

Conclusion

With these steps, you can successfully install KDE on your Ubuntu system and enjoy a more customized and feature-rich desktop environment. Remember to back up your system, and if you decide to start with KDE during installation, you can always revert to the original default desktop if needed.