How to install KDE on Ubuntu

KDE Plasma is a versatile desktop environment known for extensive customization capabilities and a wide range of built-in tools. Its modular design provides many configuration options, making it attractive for users seeking an alternative interface to the default GNOME environment on Ubuntu. Both desktop environments share the same underlying Linux framework, allowing them to coexist without affecting core Ubuntu functionality.

Installing KDE alongside GNOME grants the freedom to select an environment at the login screen. This flexibility benefits diverse workflows and use cases, ensuring that the system retains essential Ubuntu components while adding additional visual and functional features. System resources remain intact, and the user can conveniently switch between the two interfaces.

The KDE ecosystem offers customizable panels, widgets, and theming options. Its focused approach to interface design and workflow management is well-suited for users who want a highly personalized system. Many find KDE Plasma appealing due to its extensive settings, combined with the reliability of Ubuntu's package management and support.

1. Launch the terminal.
2. Update the apt package list.

   $ sudo apt update
   [sudo] password for user: 
   Hit:1 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports kinetic-security InRelease
   Hit:2 http://us.ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports kinetic InRelease
   Hit:3 http://us.ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports kinetic-updates InRelease
   Hit:4 http://us.ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports kinetic-backports InRelease
   Reading package lists... Done
   Building dependency tree... Done
   Reading state information... Done
   All packages are up to date.

3. Upgrade installed packages using apt (optional).

   $ sudo apt dist-upgrade --assume-yes
   Reading package lists... Done
   Building dependency tree... Done
   Reading state information... Done
   Calculating upgrade... Done
   0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.

4. Install the kde-plasma-desktop meta-package via apt.

   $ sudo apt install --assume-yes kde-plasma-desktop
   Reading package lists... Done
   Building dependency tree... Done
   Reading state information... Done
   The following additional packages will be installed:
     aha appmenu-gtk-module-common appmenu-gtk3-module apt-config-icons-large
     apt-config-icons-large-hidpi baloo-kf5 bluedevil breeze breeze-cursor-theme
     breeze-gtk-theme breeze-icon-theme bup bup-doc catdoc cryfs debconf-kde-data
     debconf-kde-helper desktop-base docbook-xsl dolphin drkonqi encfs
     ffmpegthumbs fonts-hack fonts-noto-core fonts-noto-hinted fonts-noto-ui-core
     fonts-noto-unhinted fonts-quicksand frameworkintegration gamin git git-man
     haveged hwdata javascript-common kaccounts-providers kactivities-bin
   ##### snipped
   0 upgraded, 585 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
   Need to get 352 MB of archives.
   After this operation, 1,211 MB of additional disk space will be used.
   ##### snipped

   This will install a basic KDE Plasma packages and experience on your Ubuntu system. To install a more complete KDE Plasma experience, you can install kubuntu-desktop meta package instead.

5. Choose SDDM as the display manager when prompted.

   Select Ok using the [TAB] key and press [ENTER] to continue on the Package configuration menu if you're first presented with the following screen. You'll get this screen if you're using a low resolution monitor and/or not running terminal in full screen.

   SDDM is the default display manager for Kubuntu/KDE.

6. Wait for the installation to complete.
7. Reboot the system.

   $ sudo reboot

8. Select KDE Plasma at the login screen.

   Select Ubuntu or Ubuntu on Wayland (Wayland) if you want to log in to GNOME desktop environment.