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

Details: Lubos Rendek; Ubuntu; 21 April 2020

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

KDE plasma desktop on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux

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

DID YOU KNOW that you can download Ubuntu 20.04 dedicated desktop flavours? This way Ubuntu provides users with an alternative desktop experience distinct to the default GNOME Ubuntu Desktop.

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
```

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to Linux Career NEWSLETTER and receive latest Linux news, jobs, career advice and tutorials.

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
SDDM configuration information

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

Reboot your Ubuntu 20.04 system
Select Desktop session as Plasma:

Open Desktop session selection menu

Select Plasma session, enter your password and hit login button