Jan 16, 2017 K Desktop Environment is a completely different desktop environment for Ubuntu, and it brings a much more familiar, and friendly interface to Linux. So, if you want to change your default Ubuntu desktop environment, here is how you can install KDE (Plasma 5.8) on Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 16.10: Install KDE on Ubuntu 16.04 “Xenial Xerus”. Download Kubuntu. Kubuntu 19.04. The latest version of the Kubuntu operating system for desktop PCs and laptops, Kubuntu 19.04 supported with security and maintenance updates, until January 2020. Kubuntu 19.04 release notes. Alternative downloads, torrents, mirrors and check-sums ›.
In the world of Linux desktop environments, the ones that dominate are GNOME聽and KDE. There are several other desktop environments but these two are the leaders. Ubuntu used to have聽Unity聽but it moved to GNOME now.
If you are a fan of good old KDE desktop environment then you can either use Kubuntu (a KDE version of Ubuntu) or you can choose to install it along with Unity. Let’s see how to install KDE desktop environment on Ubuntu 18.04 and 16.04.
Install KDE desktop environment on Ubuntu
Before you start, let me tell you that there are different versions of KDE available, according to the need. We will see what are they and how to install them:
KDE Full
This is the complete KDE pack. It comes with complete package and core KDE plasma. If your laptop is good at hardware, go for this one. Since it is the complete pack (around 472 MB), it will take some time in downloading and installing. You can install it using the following command:
KDE Standard
Ubuntu Kde Download
The standard KDE comes with standard set of KDE apps such as Kate (default text editor), Konqueror (default web browser), Kget (Download Manager), KMail (email client), Dolphin (File Manager) etc. The whole package is around 182 MB in size. You can install it using the following command:
KDE Plasma Desktop
This is just the minimal package of KDE. No apps are installed by default. You can install them later at any time. Ideal in the case when you just want to give it a try. The download size is around 90 MB.
Installing Kde On Ubuntu
KDE Plasma Netbook [Discontinued]
No prizes for guessing that this is for netbooks. This light version is best suited with low end systems and netbooks are just that. Install it using:
Questions or suggestions? Feel free to hit the comment section.
Image: KDE.org
Ubuntu is a very popular Linux distro, a feat that can be accredited to the fact that it is highly friendly, even for people who’re just getting started on Linux. The default interface that Ubuntu comes with, looks a lot like a cross between the macOS dock, and the Windows Modern UI. Which is why, a lot of people might want to replace the default Ubuntu desktop environment, with something more to their taste. This is where KDE comes in.
K Desktop Environment is a completely different desktop environment for Ubuntu, and it brings a much more familiar, and friendly interface to Linux. So, if you want to change your default Ubuntu desktop environment, here is how you can install KDE (Plasma 5.8) on Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 16.10:
Install KDE on Ubuntu 16.04 “Xenial Xerus”
With KDE on your Ubuntu system, you will still be able to use the default Gnome desktop environment, if you want to. To install KDE on Ubuntu 16.04, just follow the steps below:
1. Launch the Terminal, and add the repository using “sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports“.
2. Once you’ve done that, you should run “sudo apt-get update“.
Install Kde Ubuntu
3. Then, simply use “sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop” in the Terminal, to begin installing KDE on your Ubuntu system.
4. You will also have to choose the display manager. First press Enter, and then choose the default display manager that you want. KDE will give you two choices “lightdm“, and “ssdm“. You can choose any of them.
5. The installation will then continue. Once it completes, just log out of your account, and while logging back in, you can select the desktop environment that you want to use.
That’s all you need to do, to get the KDE desktop environment on your Ubuntu 16.04 system.
Install KDE on Ubuntu 16.10 “Yakkety Yak”
Installing the KDE desktop environment on Ubuntu 16.10 “Yakkety Yak”, is easier than it is on Ubuntu 16.04, because you don’t even need to add the repository to your Ubuntu software sources. Just follow the steps below to install KDE on Ubuntu 16.10:
1. Launch Terminal, and run the command “sudo apt update“.
2. Then, run “sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop“.
The rest of the installation proceeds in the same way as it does on Ubuntu 16.04. You will have to choose a display manager, and you can choose any of the two options that you’ll get. Once the installation completes, you can log out of your account, and choose the desktop environment while logging back in.
Uninstall KDE on Ubuntu 16.04 and 16.10
If for some reason, you want to remove KDE from your Ubuntu system, you can simply follow the steps below:
1. Launch Terminal, and type “sudo apt purge kubuntu-desktop“. Hit enter, and enter your password.
2. Next, type “sudo apt autoremove“.
If you’re running Ubuntu 16.10, this is all you need to do. However, on Ubuntu 16.04, you have to remove the repository from the list of sources, as well. To do that, just do the following:
1. Launch Terminal, and type “sudo add-apt-repository –remove ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports”
Ubuntu Kde Plasma
This will remove the repository you added to install KDE on Ubuntu 16.04. You will now have successfully removed KDE from your Ubuntu 16.04, or Ubuntu 16.10 system.
SEE ALSO: 7 Great Ubuntu Application Launchers You Can Use
Ubuntu Kde Plasma Download
Use KDE as an Alternative Desktop Environment for Ubuntu
There are other desktop environments for Ubuntu, as well. However, KDE can be installed very easily, and it works well. Also, for long time Windows users, who have just made the switch to Linux, KDE will look very familiar. And, since you can easily choose the desktop environment you want to use, while logging in, installing other desktop environments is completely safe. If anything goes wrong, you can always uninstall the new desktop environment, and carry on with the default Ubuntu desktop environment.
As always, we would like to hear your thoughts on Ubuntu, it’s default desktop environment, and alternative desktop environments such as KDE. Have you ever installed an alternative desktop environment on your Ubuntu system, or does the default work fine for you? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.