---
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 may notice some warnings and errors in the installation - it is safe to ignore these.

After the installation is complete log out.
At the top of the log in screen is a small icon with *X* on it - if you click on it you will see choices between Xfce and
Plasma. Select the Plasma(X11) option, and log in - you will see that Plasma (the KDE desktop environment) loads.

KDE is very customisable, and there is a range of widgets to use.
If you want to use the Menu widget, then you must edit `/etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.d/55xfce-qubes.sh` as follows:
```
#!/usr/bin/sh

# Use Qubes provided menu instead of default XFCE one
if [ "$XDG_SESSION_DESKTOP" = "KDE" ]; then
XDG_MENU_PREFIX="kf5-"
else
XDG_MENU_PREFIX="qubes-"
fi
export XDG_MENU_PREFIX
```
This allows you to edit the menu as you will. When editing the Menu *DO NOT use the option under "Edit->Restore to System Menu"*


### Login manager
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
~~~