How to install KDE plasma desktop on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux

The objective is to install KDE plasma desktop as an alternative desktop environment on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Desktop/Server Linux.

In this tutorial you will learn:

• How to install tasksel
• How to install KDE plasma desktop
• How to switch to SDDM display manager
• How to login to KDE plasma desktop

Software Requirements and Conventions Used

Software Requirements and Linux Command Line Conventions

Category	Requirements, Conventions or Software Version Used
System	Installed or upgraded Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa
Software	tasksel
Other	Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the sudo command.
Conventions	# - requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command $ - requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

Install KDE plasma desktop on Ubuntu 20.04 step by step instructions

1. We will be using the tasksel command to install KDE plasma desktop. In case the tasksel command is not available on your system you can install it by:

   $ sudo apt install tasksel
   

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2. Execute the following command to begin the KDE Plasma desktop installation:

   $ sudo tasksel install kubuntu-desktop
   OR
   $ sudo tasksel install kubuntu-full
   

   

   KDE Plasma installation command on Ubuntu 20.04
   

   Wait for tasksel to complete the KDE Plasma desktop installation

3. ---

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   SDDM configuration information
   

   Use TAB to select sddm and hit ok button
4. Reboot your Ubuntu 20.04 system:
   
   

   Reboot your Ubuntu 20.04 system
5. Select Desktop session as Plasma:
   

   Open Desktop session selection menu
   

   Select Plasma session, enter your password and hit login button