How To Install LXDE Desktop on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, codenamed “Noble Numbat,” brings significant improvements to the Linux desktop experience. While it comes with GNOME as the default desktop environment, many users prefer lightweight alternatives like LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) for better performance on older hardware or simply for a more minimalistic interface. This guide will walk you through the process of installing LXDE on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, providing you with a faster, more efficient desktop experience.

Understanding LXDE and Its Benefits

LXDE is renowned for its low resource consumption and high performance, making it an excellent choice for users with older hardware or those who prefer a no-frills desktop environment. Some key advantages of LXDE include:

• Minimal system requirements
• Fast and responsive interface
• Customizable and user-friendly
• Ideal for older or low-spec computers
• Efficient use of system resources

By installing LXDE on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, you can breathe new life into older machines or simply enjoy a more streamlined computing experience.

Prerequisites for Installing LXDE

Before we begin the installation process, ensure that you have:

• A working installation of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
• An active internet connection
• Administrative (sudo) privileges on your system
• At least 5GB of free disk space

It’s also crucial to back up your important data before making any significant changes to your system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing LXDE on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Follow these steps carefully to install LXDE on your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system:

1. Update Your System

First, ensure your system is up-to-date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This command updates the package lists and upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions.

2. Install LXDE

Now, let’s install LXDE using the following command:

sudo apt install lxde -y

This command will download and install the LXDE desktop environment along with its dependencies. The process may take some time depending on your internet speed and system performance.

3. Install Additional LXDE Components (Optional)

For a more complete LXDE experience, you might want to install additional components:

sudo apt install lxde-core lxde-common lxappearance -y

These packages provide core LXDE functionalities, common LXDE configurations, and a theme customization tool.

4. Configure the Display Manager

During the installation, you may be prompted to choose a display manager. LightDM is often recommended for LXDE, but you can also use the default display manager that comes with Ubuntu.

If you weren’t prompted, or want to change your choice later, use this command:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm

Select LightDM from the list when prompted.

5. Reboot Your System

After the installation is complete, reboot your system to apply the changes:

sudo reboot

6. Select LXDE at Login

Once your system restarts, you’ll be greeted by the login screen. Click on the desktop environment icon (usually located near the password field) and select “LXDE” from the list of available options. Then, log in as usual.

Post-Installation Configuration

After successfully installing LXDE, you may want to customize your new desktop environment to suit your preferences:

Customizing the LXDE Desktop

1. Right-click on the desktop and select “Desktop Preferences” to change wallpaper and desktop icons.

2. Use the LXAppearance tool to modify themes, icons, and fonts:

lxappearance

3. Configure panel settings by right-clicking on the panel and selecting “Panel Settings.”

Installing Essential Applications

LXDE comes with a basic set of applications, but you might want to install additional software:

sudo apt install pcmanfm leafpad lxterminal -y

This command installs PCManFM (file manager), Leafpad (text editor), and LXTerminal (terminal emulator).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While installing LXDE on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is generally straightforward, you might encounter some issues. Here are solutions to common problems:

LXDE Not Appearing in Login Screen

If LXDE doesn’t show up as an option in the login screen, try reinstalling the desktop environment:

sudo apt install --reinstall lxde lxde-common

Missing Panel or Desktop Icons

If your panel or desktop icons are missing, reset LXDE configurations:

rm -rf ~/.config/lxpanel ~/.config/lxsession

Then log out and log back in.

Performance Issues

If you’re experiencing sluggish performance, try disabling unnecessary startup applications:

1. Go to “Menu” > “Preferences” > “Desktop Session Settings”
2. Uncheck applications you don’t need at startup

Optimizing LXDE for Better Performance

To get the most out of your LXDE installation on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, consider these optimization tips:

1. Use Lightweight Alternatives

Replace resource-heavy applications with lighter alternatives:

• Web Browser: Use Midori or Falkon instead of Firefox or Chrome
• Office Suite: Use AbiWord and Gnumeric instead of LibreOffice
• Image Viewer: Use GPicView instead of GIMP

2. Disable Unnecessary Services

Disable services you don’t need:

sudo systemctl disable bluetooth.service
sudo systemctl disable cups.service

Replace “bluetooth.service” and “cups.service” with any services you don’t require.

3. Adjust Visual Effects

Minimize visual effects for better performance:

1. Open LXAppearance
2. Go to the “Other” tab
3. Disable “Enable anti-aliasing” and “Enable hinting”

Comparing LXDE to Other Desktop Environments

While LXDE is an excellent choice for many users, it’s worth comparing it to other popular desktop environments:

Uninstalling LXDE (If Needed)

If you decide that LXDE isn’t for you, you can easily remove it from your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system:

sudo apt remove lxde lxde-core lxde-common
sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt purge lxde*

After uninstalling, reboot your system to return to the default Ubuntu desktop environment.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed LXDE. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the LXDE desktop environment on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official LXDE website.