--- 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: Window title: Substring Match: 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 -q --tray -a '' ~~~ (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 ~~~