How to install Unity Desktop on Ubuntu

Unity, developed by Canonical, served as the default desktop environment for Ubuntu from versions 11.04 to 17.04, featuring a unique user interface with components like the Launcher, Dash, and HUD. Although Canonical shifted to GNOME Shell starting with Ubuntu 17.10, the community-driven UBports project continues to maintain Unity, making it available for users who prefer its interface.

Unity Desktop can still be installed on the standard Ubuntu distribution or any variant, thanks to packages available in the default Ubuntu repositories. This allows users to easily install Unity through the terminal, enabling them to enjoy its distinctive interface on the latest Ubuntu releases.

For a simplified experience, users can opt for Ubuntu Unity Remix, an official Ubuntu flavor that comes with Unity as the default desktop environment. However, those who prefer to add Unity to their existing Ubuntu setup can do so by updating their package list, upgrading installed packages, and installing the 'ubuntu-unity-desktop' package. This process integrates Unity seamlessly into the system, providing a familiar and efficient desktop experience.

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

   $ sudo apt update
   Hit:1 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-security InRelease
   Hit:2 http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-proposed InRelease
   Hit:3 http://us.ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy InRelease
   Hit:4 http://us.ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-updates InRelease
   Hit:5 http://us.ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports jammy-backports InRelease
   Reading package lists... Done
   Building dependency tree... Done
   Reading state information... Done
   All packages are up to date.

3. Upgrade installed packages.

   $ 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 ubuntu-unity-desktop package.

   $ sudo apt install --assume-yes ubuntu-unity-desktop
   Reading package lists... Done
   Building dependency tree... Done
   Reading state information... Done
   The following additional packages will be installed:
     a11y-profile-manager-indicator accountsservice-ubuntu-schemas
     activity-log-manager adium-theme-ubuntu bamfdaemon catdoc
     cinnamon-desktop-data cinnamon-l10n compiz compiz-core compiz-gnome
   ##### snipped
   0 upgraded, 417 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
   Need to get 244 MB of archives.
   After this operation, 681 MB of additional disk space will be used.
   ##### snipped

5. Select LightDM when prompted.

   Use [TAB] key to navigate to the Ok button and press [ENTER] to start configuring LightDM 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.

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

   $ sudo reboot

8. Click on the Ubuntu icon to reveal the desktop environment selection panel.
9. Click on the Unity selection.
10. Enter your password and log in to the Unity desktop.