I'm currently using Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and I'm curious about trying out the XFCE desktop environment just to see how it feels. I'm wondering if it's recommended to install other desktop environments and what the commands would be for the installation process.
4 Answers
Just a heads up, there are various Ubuntu flavors that come with different desktop environments already configured. I'm currently using the unstable version of Ubuntu and I love having multiple desktops installed! I just select which one to use when I log in. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses, so it's nice to have options.
I recommend trying out other desktop environments using a Live USB instead of installing them directly. It's a safer approach because installing can sometimes lead to a mess when trying to remove them later. Plus, there are testing sites that let you experiment with different distros in a browser, which is very convenient!
To install XFCE, you can use the command `sudo apt install xubuntu-desktop`. Just keep in mind that you might have some overlapping applications from GNOME and XFCE after installation.
Yes, you can definitely explore other desktop environments. A good tip is to create a new test user for this purpose. Log in as that user, install the desktop environments you want to try, and you can switch between them at login. This way, your main user's settings won't be messed up. It gives you a chance to explore without risking your setup!
Thanks for the suggestion! I'll definitely try that.