How Do You Install KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04?

AvatarByBarbara Hernandez Ubuntu OS

If you’re looking to transform your Ubuntu 22.04 experience with a sleek, modern, and highly customizable desktop environment, KDE Plasma is an excellent choice. Known for its stunning visuals, powerful features, and flexibility, KDE Plasma offers a refreshing alternative to the default GNOME desktop on Ubuntu. Whether you’re a developer, designer, or casual user, installing KDE Plasma can breathe new life into your workflow and daily computing.

Ubuntu 22.04, being a robust and widely used Linux distribution, supports multiple desktop environments, making it easy to switch or experiment with different interfaces. KDE Plasma stands out with its intuitive design and extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor their desktop to their exact preferences. This versatility makes it a favorite among Linux enthusiasts who want both beauty and functionality.

In the following sections, we’ll explore how to seamlessly install KDE Plasma on your Ubuntu 22.04 system. You’ll learn about the necessary steps, tips for a smooth transition, and what to expect once KDE Plasma is up and running. Whether you’re new to Linux or looking to enhance your current setup, this guide will help you get started with KDE Plasma effortlessly.

Installing KDE Plasma Desktop Environment

To install KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04, you will use the terminal to execute commands that fetch and configure the required packages. The KDE Plasma desktop environment offers a modern and customizable interface, enhancing the Ubuntu experience.

Before proceeding, it is advisable to update your system repositories to ensure you get the latest versions of packages:

“`bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
“`

Once your system is updated, you have multiple options for installing KDE Plasma depending on your preferences and requirements:

  • KDE Plasma Desktop: Installs the minimal desktop environment with basic applications.
  • Kubuntu Desktop: Installs the full Kubuntu experience, including KDE Plasma and a suite of KDE applications.
  • Plasma Workspace: Installs only the KDE workspace without additional apps.

The installation commands are as follows:

“`bash
sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop
“`

or for a full Kubuntu desktop experience:

“`bash
sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop
“`

During the installation of `kubuntu-desktop`, you may be prompted to select a default display manager. You can choose either `gdm3` (GNOME Display Manager) or `sddm` (Simple Desktop Display Manager). For KDE Plasma, `sddm` is recommended.

Configuring the Display Manager

The display manager controls the login screen and session management. KDE Plasma works optimally with `sddm`, which supports theming and integration with KDE.

To set `sddm` as the default display manager, run:

“`bash
sudo dpkg-reconfigure sddm
“`

A prompt will appear to select the default display manager. Choose `sddm` and press Enter.

If you need to verify the active display manager at any point, use:

“`bash
cat /etc/X11/default-display-manager
“`

This will output the path to the currently configured display manager.

Switching to KDE Plasma Session

After installation and configuration, reboot your system:

“`bash
sudo reboot
“`

At the login screen, before entering your password, locate the session selector icon (usually a gear or a dropdown menu). Click it and select “Plasma” or “KDE Plasma Workspace” from the list of available desktop environments.

Logging in will start a KDE Plasma session. You can switch back to the default Ubuntu GNOME session anytime by selecting it at the login screen.

Essential KDE Plasma Commands and Management

Here are some useful commands for managing KDE Plasma on your Ubuntu system:

Command Description
sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop Installs the minimal KDE Plasma desktop environment.
sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop Installs the full Kubuntu desktop environment with KDE applications.
sudo dpkg-reconfigure sddm Reconfigures the display manager; use to set SDDM as default.
startplasma-x11 Starts a KDE Plasma session manually from a terminal (useful for troubleshooting).
sudo systemctl restart sddm Restarts the SDDM display manager after configuration changes.

Post-Installation Tips for KDE Plasma

Once KDE Plasma is installed and running, consider the following to optimize your experience:

  • Update your system regularly to get the latest KDE improvements and security patches:

“`bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
“`

  • Customize the desktop using KDE’s System Settings to adjust themes, widgets, and behavior.
  • Install additional KDE applications such as Dolphin (file manager), Konsole (terminal), and Kate (text editor) to complement your workflow.
  • Enable Power Management and configure hardware settings to optimize battery life on laptops.
  • Backup your KDE configuration located in `~/.config` before making significant changes to revert if needed.

By following these steps, you will have a fully functional KDE Plasma desktop environment on your Ubuntu 22.04 system, ready for daily use or further customization.

Preparing Your System for KDE Plasma Installation

Before installing KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04, ensure your system is up-to-date and ready for a new desktop environment. Running updates and upgrading existing packages minimizes conflicts and dependency issues.

  • Open a terminal window using Ctrl + Alt + T or through the applications menu.
  • Update the package list with: 
    sudo apt update
  • Upgrade installed packages to their latest versions: 
    sudo apt upgrade -y
  • Optionally, clean up unnecessary packages to free space: 
    sudo apt autoremove -y

Ensuring your system is updated reduces the likelihood of encountering issues during KDE Plasma installation and configuration.

Installing KDE Plasma Desktop Environment

Ubuntu offers multiple KDE Plasma packages depending on the desired level of integration and features. The primary options are:

Package Description Approximate Size
kde-plasma-desktop Minimal KDE Plasma desktop with core components only. ~300 MB
kubuntu-desktop Full Kubuntu experience, including KDE apps and system settings. ~2 GB
plasma-desktop Core Plasma desktop with fewer dependencies than kubuntu-desktop. ~250 MB

To install the minimal KDE Plasma desktop environment, execute:

sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop

If you prefer the full Kubuntu desktop environment, which includes additional KDE applications and customizations, run:

sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop

During installation, you may be prompted to select a display manager. Choose between:

  • gdm3: The default GNOME display manager
  • SDDM: The recommended display manager for KDE Plasma

Selecting SDDM is generally advised for optimal KDE integration, but either choice will work.

Switching to KDE Plasma Session

After installation completes, reboot your system:

sudo reboot

At the login screen, follow these steps to switch to KDE Plasma:

  1. Locate the session selector icon (usually a gear or similar symbol) near the username or password input field.
  2. Click the icon to open a menu listing available desktop environments.
  3. Select KDE Plasma or Plasma from the list.
  4. Enter your credentials and log in.

Your desktop environment will now load KDE Plasma instead of the default GNOME session.

Configuring KDE Plasma for Optimal Use

Once logged in, consider the following configuration steps to optimize your KDE Plasma experience:

  • Update System Packages: Open the terminal and run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y to ensure all KDE components are current.
  • Customize Appearance: Access System Settings > Appearance to adjust themes, icons, and fonts to your preference.
  • Configure Startup Applications: Use System Settings > Startup and Shutdown to manage which applications launch on login.
  • Manage KDE Services: Enable or disable background services under System Settings > Startup and Shutdown > Background Services for performance tuning.
  • Install Additional KDE Applications: Explore packages like kate (text editor), dolphin (file manager), and konsole (terminal emulator) to complement your desktop.

Removing KDE Plasma Desktop (Optional)

If you decide to revert to the default Ubuntu desktop and remove KDE Plasma, use the following commands:

  • For minimal KDE Plasma desktop removal: 
    sudo apt purge kde-plasma-desktop -y
  • For full Kubuntu desktop removal: 
    sudo apt purge kubuntu-desktop -y
  • Remove residual dependencies and clean up: 
    sudo apt autoremove -y
sudo apt clean

Finally, reboot the system to apply changes:

sudo reboot

Expert Perspectives on Installing KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04

Dr. Emily Carter (Linux Systems Architect, Open Source Innovations). Installing KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04 requires careful attention to package management and desktop environment dependencies. I recommend starting with a full system update using sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade, then installing the KDE Plasma desktop via sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop for a lightweight setup or sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop for a complete Kubuntu experience. Ensuring that you select the appropriate display manager during installation is crucial for a seamless user experience.

Rajesh Singh (Senior Linux Engineer, CloudTech Solutions). From a practical standpoint, installing KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04 is straightforward but requires awareness of potential conflicts with the default GNOME environment. I advise users to back up their data before proceeding and to use the command line for installation to maintain control over the process. Additionally, post-installation, configuring the default session at login and removing unnecessary GNOME packages can optimize system performance.

Linda Zhao (Open Source Software Consultant, Linux Foundation). The key to successfully installing KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04 lies in understanding the differences between the plasma-desktop and kubuntu-desktop meta-packages. For users seeking a minimal KDE experience, kde-plasma-desktop is ideal, whereas kubuntu-desktop provides a full suite of KDE applications and settings. It is also important to verify that your system’s graphics drivers are up to date to ensure smooth rendering of the KDE interface.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the prerequisites for installing KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04?
Ensure your system is updated by running `sudo apt update` and `sudo apt upgrade`. A stable internet connection is required to download the necessary packages. Having administrative privileges (sudo access) is mandatory.

How do I install KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04?
Open a terminal and execute `sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop` for a minimal installation or `sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop` for the full Kubuntu experience. After installation, reboot and select KDE Plasma from the login screen session options.

Can I switch back to the default GNOME desktop after installing KDE Plasma?
Yes. At the login screen, click the session selector icon and choose GNOME before logging in. Both desktop environments can coexist without conflict.

Will installing KDE Plasma affect my existing GNOME settings or applications?
No. KDE Plasma installs independently and does not overwrite GNOME settings. However, some default applications may change if you choose the full Kubuntu desktop package.

How do I remove KDE Plasma if I no longer want it on Ubuntu 22.04?
Use the command `sudo apt purge kde-plasma-desktop` or `sudo apt purge kubuntu-desktop` depending on your installation. Follow up with `sudo apt autoremove` to clean up unused dependencies.

Are there any known issues when running KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04?
KDE Plasma is well-supported on Ubuntu 22.04, but occasional minor bugs or theme inconsistencies may occur due to differences between GNOME and KDE components. Regular system updates help mitigate these issues.
Installing KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04 offers users a visually appealing and highly customizable desktop environment that enhances the overall user experience. The process involves updating the system repositories, installing the KDE Plasma desktop package via the terminal, and selecting the appropriate display manager during setup. This straightforward approach ensures that users can seamlessly switch from the default GNOME environment to KDE Plasma without compromising system stability.

Key takeaways include the importance of choosing between the full KDE desktop environment or the minimal Plasma desktop package based on individual needs and system resources. Additionally, understanding how to manage display managers, such as SDDM, is crucial for ensuring a smooth login experience. Users should also be aware of potential conflicts or duplicated applications when running multiple desktop environments on the same system.

Overall, KDE Plasma on Ubuntu 22.04 provides a powerful alternative desktop that balances performance with aesthetic flexibility. By following best practices during installation and configuration, users can fully leverage KDE’s features to create a productive and visually engaging workspace tailored to their preferences.

Author Profile

Avatar
Barbara Hernandez
Barbara Hernandez is the brain behind A Girl Among Geeks a coding blog born from stubborn bugs, midnight learning, and a refusal to quit. With zero formal training and a browser full of error messages, she taught herself everything from loops to Linux. Her mission? Make tech less intimidating, one real answer at a time.

Barbara writes for the self-taught, the stuck, and the silently frustrated offering code clarity without the condescension. What started as her personal survival guide is now a go-to space for learners who just want to understand what the docs forgot to mention.