By default Ubuntu comes with the GNOME desktop, which is a popular free desktop software package with a focus on ease of use. Other desktop environments exist which provide different types of user experience.
This topic provides instructions on how to install and use a desktop other than the default GNOME desktop, such as KDE or Xfce.
KDE is a popular, fully-featured desktop environment. Kubuntu is a version of Ubuntu which uses the KDE desktop.
To install and use KDE:
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Click the User Switcher in the top right hand corner of the screen and then press to log out of Ubuntu
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At the log-in screen which appears, press →
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Choose the KDE option and press
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Enter your username and password as normal. KDE should then start.
Xfce is a desktop environment which is designed to be fast and lightweight. Xubuntu is a version of Ubuntu which uses the Xfce desktop.
To install and use Xfce:
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Click the User Switcher in the top right hand corner of the screen and then press to log out of Ubuntu
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At the log-in screen which appears, press →
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Choose the Xfce option and press
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Enter your username and password as normal. Xfce should then start.
