Install and Run XFCE Desktop on Ubuntu 22.04: Best Desktop Environment

Ubuntu 22.04 comes with GNOME 42.0 as its default desktop environment. While GNOME is a powerful and modern DE, some users may prefer a lighter, more customizable option. Install and Run XFCE Desktop on Ubuntu 22.04 provides such an alternative. XFCE is known for its speed, efficiency, and configurability, making it an excellent choice for older hardware or users who prioritize performance. This guide will walk you through the process of installing and running XFCE on your Ubuntu 22.04 server, drawing on the simplicity of the Tasksel utility.

Before you begin to Install and Run XFCE Desktop on Ubuntu 22.04, ensure you have access to your server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. If you haven’t already, setting up a non-root user with sudo is a crucial security step.

This guide leverages Tasksel, a user-friendly command-line tool designed to simplify the installation of multiple related packages, including desktop environments. Let’s dive into the steps.

Step 1 – Install Tasksel on Ubuntu 22.04

Tasksel streamlines the process of installing complete desktop environments. It automates the selection and installation of all necessary packages, saving you time and effort. First, update your system’s package list:

sudo apt update

This command refreshes the package lists, ensuring you have the latest information on available software. Now, install Tasksel itself:

sudo apt install tasksel -y

The -y flag automatically answers "yes" to any prompts during the installation, further automating the process.

Step 2 – Install Xubuntu-desktop XFCE on Ubuntu 22.04

Now comes the core step: installing the XFCE desktop environment. We’ll use the xubuntu-desktop package, which provides a complete XFCE experience tailored for Ubuntu. Xubuntu is an official Ubuntu flavor that utilizes XFCE as its primary desktop.

Execute the following Tasksel command:

sudo tasksel install xubuntu-desktop

This command initiates the installation of the Xubuntu-desktop package, along with all its dependencies. Tasksel will guide you through the process, prompting you to configure certain aspects, such as the display manager.

Note: If you prefer a more "vanilla" or upstream version of XFCE without the Xubuntu customizations, you can install the xfce4 package instead. Use the following command:

sudo apt install xfce4

During the installation process, you’ll be prompted to choose a display manager. The display manager is responsible for presenting the login screen. LightDM is a lightweight and popular choice, and it’s generally recommended for XFCE. Select lightdm when prompted.

After the installation completes, reboot your server to apply the changes:

reboot

Step 3 – How To Run XFCE on Ubuntu 22 Server?

Once your server has rebooted and you’ve logged back in, you’ll need to select the XFCE session. During the login process, look for a settings icon or a dropdown menu that allows you to choose your desktop environment. Select either Xubuntu session or Xfce session, depending on which package you installed. Then, enter your password and log in.

Congratulations! You should now be running the XFCE desktop environment on your Ubuntu 22.04 server.

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    <img decoding="async" width="600" height="466" src="https://bluehoster.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/xfce-1.webp" alt="XFCE desktop " srcset="https://bluehoster.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/xfce-1.webp 600w, https://bluehoster.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/xfce-1-300x233.webp 300w, https://bluehoster.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/xfce-1-150x117.webp 150w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px">
</figure>

For more in-depth information and customization options, refer to the official XFCE documentation: XFCE Docs.

Conclusion

This guide demonstrated how to Install and Run XFCE Desktop on Ubuntu 22.04 server using the Tasksel utility. XFCE offers a fast, user-friendly, and highly customizable desktop experience, making it a compelling alternative to GNOME. By following these steps, you can easily transform your Ubuntu server into a fully functional desktop environment.

Alternative Solutions to Install and Run XFCE Desktop on Ubuntu 22.04

While Tasksel provides a convenient method, there are alternative approaches to installing XFCE on Ubuntu 22.04. Here are two different methods:

1. Using apt directly with metapackages:

Instead of relying on Tasksel, you can directly install the necessary packages using the apt package manager. This gives you more granular control over the installation process.

First, update your system’s package list:

sudo apt update

Then, install the xfce4 metapackage, along with a display manager like lightdm:

sudo apt install xfce4 lightdm -y

This command installs the core XFCE components and the LightDM display manager. The -y flag automatically confirms the installation. After the installation is complete, reboot your system:

sudo reboot

Like with the Tasksel method, you’ll need to select the XFCE session at the login screen after rebooting.

Explanation: This method bypasses Tasksel and directly installs the required packages using apt. It offers more control, as you can specify individual packages to install. However, it requires a better understanding of the XFCE desktop environment’s dependencies. The metapackage xfce4 is a virtual package that depends on all the essential components of XFCE.

2. Installing a minimal XFCE environment and customizing:

For users who want a truly minimal installation and complete control over customization, you can install a minimal XFCE environment and then add the desired components.

First, update your system’s package list:

sudo apt update

Then, install the bare minimum packages required for XFCE:

sudo apt install xfce4-minimal lightdm -y

This command installs the core XFCE libraries, window manager, and a minimal set of applications. It also installs lightdm as the display manager.

After installation and rebooting, you will have a very basic XFCE desktop. From there, you can install individual applications and utilities to tailor the environment to your specific needs. For example:

sudo apt install thunar xfce4-terminal xfce4-appfinder -y

This command installs the Thunar file manager, the XFCE terminal emulator, and the application finder.

Explanation: This method provides the most control over the installed components. By starting with a minimal installation, you avoid installing unnecessary packages and bloat. This is ideal for users who want a lean and highly customized XFCE experience. It’s more time-consuming than the other methods, as you need to manually install each component, but it allows for a truly personalized desktop environment. Install and Run XFCE Desktop on Ubuntu 22.04 using this method is more complex but can be very rewarding.

By understanding these alternative solutions, you can choose the method that best suits your needs and preferences for Install and Run XFCE Desktop on Ubuntu 22.04. The method described in the original article is the simplest.