Ubuntu is a very popular Linux distribution, an achievement that can be credited with the fact that it is extremely friendly even to people new to Linux. The default interface Ubuntu ships with looks a lot like a cross between the macOS dock and the Windows Modern UI. For this reason, many people may want to replace the default Ubuntu desktop environment with something more to their liking. This is where KDE comes in.
K Desktop Environment is a completely different desktop environment for Ubuntu and brings a much more familiar and friendly interface to Linux. So if you want to change your default Ubuntu desktop environment, here it is How can you 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 be able to continue using the default Gnome desktop environment if you wish. To install KDE on Ubuntu 16.04, simply follow the steps below:
1. Start terminal and add the repository using “.sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports“.
2. After doing this, “sudo apt-get update“.
3. Then, just “sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktopIn Terminal to start installing KDE on your Ubuntu system.
4. You will also need to choose display manager. Press Enter first and then select the default display manager you want. KDE will give you two options”lightdm“, and “ssdm“. You can choose any of them.
5. Then the installation will continue. When completed, just Log out your account and when logging in again, choose desktop environment 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 on Ubuntu 16.04 because you don’t even need to add repositories to your Ubuntu software sources. To install KDE on Ubuntu 16.10, simply follow the steps below:
1. Launch Terminal and click “sudo apt update“.
2. Then, “sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop“.
The rest of the installation continues as in Ubuntu 16.04. You will need to choose a display manager and you can choose any of the two options you will get. After the installation is complete, you can log out of your account and select the desktop environment when logging back in.
Uninstall KDE in Ubuntu 16.04 and 16.10
If for any reason you want to remove KDE from your Ubuntu system, simply follow the steps below:
1. Start terminal and type “sudo apt cleanup kubuntu-desktop“. Press Enter and enter your password.
2. Next, type “sudo apt auto-removal“.
If you’re running Ubuntu 16.10, that’s all you need to do. Again, 16.04 on Ubuntu, you must also remove the repository from the sources list. To do this, simply do the following:
1. Start terminal and type “sudo add-apt-repository –remove ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports”
This will remove the repository you added to install KDE on Ubuntu 16.04. You will now have successfully uninstalled KDE from your Ubuntu 16.04 or Ubuntu 16.10 system.
SEE ALSO: 7 Cool Ubuntu Application Launchers You Can Use
Use KDE as an Alternative Desktop Environment for Ubuntu
There are other desktop environments for Ubuntu as well. But KDE is very easy to install and works well. Also, for long-time Windows users who are new to Linux, KDE will feel very familiar. Also, it’s perfectly safe to install other desktop environments, as you can easily select the desktop environment you want to use when logging in. If something goes wrong, you can always uninstall the new desktop environment and go with the default Ubuntu desktop environment.
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on Ubuntu, the default desktop environment, and alternative desktop environments like KDE. Have you ever installed an alternative desktop environment on your Ubuntu system, or is the default ok for you? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.