How To Install KDE Plasma on Linux Mint 22
In this tutorial, we will show you how to install KDE Plasma on Linux Mint 22. KDE Plasma is a versatile and highly customizable desktop environment known for its modern appearance, extensive configuration options, and seamless integration with various Linux distributions. It offers a wide range of widgets, themes, and settings, allowing users to tailor their desktop to their specific needs and preferences. Linux Mint 22, being based on Ubuntu, provides excellent compatibility with KDE Plasma, ensuring a smooth installation and operation process.
However, it’s important to note that running KDE Plasma alongside the default Cinnamon desktop environment may result in some redundancy in terms of installed applications and system resources. Users should be aware of the potential for increased disk space usage and the presence of duplicate applications in the application menu.
This article assumes you have at least basic knowledge of Linux, know how to use the shell, and most importantly, you host your site on your own VPS. The installation is quite simple and assumes you are running in the root account, if not you may need to add ‘sudo‘ to the commands to get root privileges. I will show you the step-by-step installation of KDE Plasma on Linux Mint 22.
Prerequisites
- A server running one of the following operating systems: Linux Mint 22.
- It’s recommended that you use a fresh OS install to prevent any potential issues.
- While we’ll guide you through the process, a basic understanding of the command line will be beneficial. If you’re new to the CLI, you might want to acquaint yourself with some fundamental commands.
- An active internet connection.
- However, for a smooth experience, it’s recommended to have at least 2GB of RAM and a relatively modern processor.
- Administrative privileges are essential for installing and configuring software on your system. Ensure that you have superuser or sudo access.
Install KDE Plasma on Linux Mint 22
Step 1. Update Your Linux Mint System.
Before installing KDE Plasma, it’s essential to update your Linux Mint 22 system to the latest available versions of installed packages. Open the terminal and run the following commands to update your system:
sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade
These commands will refresh the package list and upgrade any outdated packages to their latest versions, ensuring compatibility with KDE Plasma.
Step 2. Installing KDE Plasma.
To install KDE Plasma, you’ll need to add the necessary repositories to your system. Repositories are online storage locations that contain software packages and their dependencies. By adding the KDE repositories, you’ll have access to the latest versions of KDE Plasma and its related packages.
Run the following command in the terminal to add the KDE repositories:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports
With the KDE repositories added, you can now install KDE Plasma. In the terminal, run the following command:
sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop
This command will install the KDE Plasma desktop environment along with its core components and dependencies. If prompted, enter Y to confirm the installation and allow the process to complete.
Alternatively, if you prefer a more minimal installation with fewer pre-installed applications, you can use the following command instead:
sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop plasma-nm plasma-pa
Step 3. Configure Display Manager.
After the installation is complete, you’ll need to configure the display manager to use SDDM (Simple Desktop Display Manager), which is the recommended display manager for KDE Plasma.
Run the following command in the terminal:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure sddm
A configuration window will appear. Use the arrow keys to select “sddm” and press Enter to set it as the default display manager.
Step 4. Reboot and Select KDE Plasma.
Once the display manager is configured, reboot your system to apply the changes and start using KDE Plasma. You can reboot by running the following command in the terminal:
sudo reboot
After the reboot, you’ll be presented with the login screen. Click on the desktop environment selection option (usually located near the login button) and choose “Plasma” from the list. Enter your login credentials and press Enter to log in to your newly installed KDE Plasma desktop environment.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed KDE Plasma. Thanks for using this tutorial to install the latest version of KDE Plasma on the Linux Mint system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official KDE Plasma website.
