qubes-doc/user/advanced-topics/kde.md

---
lang: en
layout: doc
permalink: /doc/kde/
redirect_from:
- /en/doc/kde/
ref: 176
title: KDE (desktop environment)
---

Installation
------------

Prior to R3.2, KDE was the default desktop environment in Qubes. Beginning with
R3.2, however, [XFCE is the new default desktop environment](/doc/releases/3.2/release-notes/). Nonetheless, it is
still possible to install KDE by issuing this command in dom0:

```shell_session
$ sudo qubes-dom0-update kde-settings-qubes
```

You can also change your default login manager (lightdm) to the new KDE default: sddm

* first you need to edit the `/etc/sddm.conf` to make sure if the custom X parameter is set according to Qubes needs:

    ~~~
   [XDisplay]
   ServerArguments=-nolisten tcp -background none
    ~~~

* disable the lightdm service:

    ~~~
   $ sudo systemctl disable lightdm
    ~~~

* enable the sddm service:

    ~~~
    $ sudo systemctl enable sddm
    ~~~

* reboot

If you encounter performance issues with KDE, try switching back to LightDM.

Window Management
-----------------

You can set each window's position and size like this:

~~~
Right click title bar --> More actions --> Special window settings...

  Window matching tab
    Window class (application): Exact Match: <vm_name>
    Window title: Substring Match: <partial or full program name>

  Size & Position tab
    [x] Position: Apply Initially: x,y
    [x] Size: Apply Initially: x,y
~~~

You can also use `kstart` to control virtual desktop placement like this:

~~~
  kstart --desktop 3 --windowclass <vm_name> -q --tray -a <vm_name> '<run_program_command>'
~~~

(Replace "3" with whichever virtual desktop you want the window to be
on.)

This can be useful for creating a simple shell script which will set up your
workspace the way you like.

Removal
------------

If you decide to remove KDE do **not** use `dnf remove @kde-desktop-qubes`. You will almost certainly break your system.

The safest way to remove (most of) KDE is:

~~~
sudo dnf remove kdelibs plasma-workspace
~~~

Mailing List Threads
--------------------

* [Nalu's KDE customization thread](https://groups.google.com/d/topic/qubes-users/KhfzF19NG1s/discussion)