I'm curious if it's feasible to rely solely on window managers (WMs) without ever using a desktop environment (DE). My journey began with Linux Mint Cinnamon, but I wasn't a fan, especially while trying to customize it after getting inspired by r/unixporn. I switched to Arch with Hyprland and really enjoyed that setup. I even learned some customization techniques. Now I have a separate gaming distro, CachyOS, and while I'm getting used to it, I'm struggling with how to customize KDE Plasma. I'm wondering if sticking with WMs will hinder my learning process with Linux. Do any of you only use WMs, or could someone point me to a guide for customizing KDE Plasma? Also, apologies if my English isn't perfect; I'm still learning!
6 Answers
Absolutely, you can just use WMs and skip the DE entirely! Many distributions allow you to switch between WMs and DEs, so you aren't stuck with one choice. Plus, there are distros that can run without a DE or WM if that's your style. Just explore what's configurable; you don’t necessarily have to switch distros just because you're not keen on the default setup.
Many people use only WMs, and it's generally fine for most games—about 90% work without hiccups! KDE has its perks and is customizable, but it can feel limited compared to dedicated WMs like i3. If you want a challenge, consider ricing Gnome instead! It can be styled way more than KDE, but it all comes down to your personal taste and comfort level.
I've got a setup running DWM on Arch without any DE, and it's great! Just a heads up, though: without a DE, you might miss some GUI tools for managing things like volume or Bluetooth, so you'll want to be okay with using the command line for some tasks.
You can definitely use just a window manager if that's what you prefer. It really comes down to what you feel comfortable with. If Hyprland works well for you, stick with it! Using a WM might be tougher to set up, but they can be just as powerful as any DE once you get the hang of it.
Using just a window manager is totally doable! I recommend trying Fluxbox; it's designed to give you a DE-like feel while being a WM. As for customizing KDE, while it’s highly customizable, it might not have the same level of deep tweaks as WMs. You can check out the KDE store or even YouTube for guides on ricing KDE Plasma – there's a lot you can do to make it look amazing!
Lots of folks, including myself, get by just using a WM. Sure, the setup can be trickier, but with some knowledge, you can customize it to be just as good or even better than a DE!
I found a great YouTube video on ricing KDE that really helped me. Check out [this link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OuaCXWSXFE) for some neat tips!