How to Install KDE Desktop on Ubuntu 24.04
Installing the KDE Plasma desktop on Ubuntu 24.04 replaces the default GNOME screen with a highly customisable interface that lets you change nearly every part of how your PC looks and works.
KDE Plasma is a free desktop environment released in April 2024 that controls your windows, icons, and menus, giving you much deeper control over your screen than the standard Ubuntu setup.
Open your terminal and run ‘sudo apt update’ followed by ‘sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop’. At the login screen, click the gear icon and select ‘Plasma’ to launch the KDE desktop environment.
Why Install KDE Desktop on Ubuntu 24.04?
Swapping the default Ubuntu look for KDE Plasma unlocks far deeper control over your screen’s appearance. KDE Plasma uses widgets (small interactive tools) to display weather and system statistics. Users can also group tasks into ‘activities’ for better organization.
What Happens When You Install KDE?
Post-installation changes bring a brand-new interface for managing files and applications. Systems gain a fresh menu, a new taskbar, and expanded configuration panels. Switching between the legacy GNOME desktop and the new KDE Plasma desktop remains possible during every login.
Kubuntu vs. KDE on Ubuntu
Kubuntu serves as an official Ubuntu flavor featuring pre-configured KDE software. Adding KDE to standard Ubuntu layers the desktop environment onto an existing setup. While this approach grants access to both ecosystems, it also pulls in extra software packages you might never touch.
Installation Guide
Adding KDE Desktop to Ubuntu 24.04 relies heavily on the terminal application. Specific commands pull the new desktop interface directly onto the Ubuntu 24.04 system. Administrator rights (elevated permissions required to make system-wide changes) are required to run these commands successfully.
Terminal access handles the heavy lifting for the Ubuntu 24.04 KDE deployment. Executing commands from the installation guide initiates the download. Root access (administrative privileges that grant full control over the operating system) remains mandatory for installing new software packages on the Ubuntu 24.04 system.
sudo apt update sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop
Choosing between a full installation (kde-full, which includes all apps) or a minimal one (kde-standard, which includes only the basics) depends on your needs. Selecting kde-standard helps preserve precious disk space.
Switching Desktop Environments
Rebooting the machine finalizes the setup steps. Clicking the small gear icon or session menu at the login screen lets users select 'Plasma' to load the new desktop environment. Reverting to 'Ubuntu' (GNOME) is available anytime through that same session menu.
Post-Installation Customization
Opening 'System Settings' right after logging in unlocks controls for themes, icons, and fonts. Right-clicking empty desktop space and choosing 'Add Widgets' populates the screen with helpful utilities. Pressing Alt+F2 launches KRunner for rapid application launching.
Recommended KDE Applications
Maximizing the new workspace works best when trying out these native applications:
- Dolphin: A powerful file manager.
- Konsole: A feature-rich terminal emulator.
- Kate: A great text editor for coding and notes.
- Spectacle: An easy tool for taking screenshots.
Summary
Integrating KDE Desktop into Ubuntu 24.04 builds a flexible, modern workspace tailored to individual preferences. The login screen retains the power to toggle between KDE and previous desktop environments, granting access to tools like 'activities' and the Dolphin file manager.
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