How to Install a Desktop Environment on Manjaro

Manjaro is a user-friendly, Arch-based Linux distribution that provides a smooth experience whether you’re running a lightweight server or a fully-featured desktop environment. While Manjaro comes with several desktop environment (DE) options, you may want to install or switch between them after installation. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through the process of installing desktop environments like GNOME, KDE, or XFCE on Manjaro and explain the key concepts.

Prerequisites

• Manjaro Installed: This guide assumes you already have Manjaro installed on your system.
• Sudo Privileges: Ensure you have sudo (root) access to install and manage packages.
• Stable Internet Connection: You’ll need internet access to download and install the desktop environment packages.

Key Terms Explained

• Desktop Environment (DE): A collection of software that makes up the graphical interface of a Linux distribution. It includes window managers, file managers, and other tools for user interaction.
• Pacman: The package manager for Arch-based distributions like Manjaro. It’s used to install, update, and remove software.
• GNOME: A modern, easy-to-use desktop environment known for its simplicity.
• KDE (Plasma): A visually appealing, customizable desktop environment with a vast array of features.
• XFCE: A lightweight desktop environment, designed to use minimal system resources while providing a fast and functional user experience.
• X11: The system that provides the basic framework for a graphical user interface (GUI) on Linux systems.

Step 1: Update Your Manjaro System

Before installing any desktop environment, it’s essential to ensure your system is fully updated. Run the following command to update your Manjaro packages:

sudo pacman -Syu

• pacman: The package manager for Manjaro.
• -Syu: The option to sync the package database and update the system.

Step 2: Choose and Install a Desktop Environment

Manjaro supports a wide range of desktop environments. You can install GNOME, KDE Plasma, or XFCE depending on your needs and preferences.

Install GNOME Desktop Environment

If you prefer a sleek, modern desktop environment, GNOME is a great option. To install GNOME, run:

sudo pacman -S gnome gnome-extra

• gnome: The core GNOME desktop environment packages.
• gnome-extra: Additional GNOME applications and utilities.

Once GNOME is installed, enable the display manager (GDM) to manage your graphical login:

sudo systemctl enable gdm.service --force

Reboot your system to start GNOME:

sudo reboot

Install KDE Plasma Desktop Environment

KDE Plasma is known for its customizability and feature-rich experience. To install KDE Plasma, use the following command:

sudo pacman -S plasma kde-applications

• plasma: The core KDE Plasma desktop environment.
• kde-applications: A collection of KDE-specific applications.

Enable the display manager for KDE (SDDM) by running:

sudo systemctl enable sddm.service --force

Reboot your system to load into KDE Plasma:

sudo reboot

Install XFCE Desktop Environment

If you’re looking for a lightweight and fast desktop experience, XFCE is an excellent choice. To install XFCE, run:

sudo pacman -S xfce4 xfce4-goodies

• xfce4: The XFCE desktop environment core.
• xfce4-goodies: Extra tools and utilities for the XFCE desktop.

Enable the display manager (LightDM) for XFCE:

sudo systemctl enable lightdm.service --force

Reboot to load into XFCE:

sudo reboot

Step 3: Switching Between Desktop Environments

If you have multiple desktop environments installed, you can easily switch between them at the login screen. Here’s how:

1. Log out of your current session.
2. On the login screen, look for a gear icon or session menu (depending on your display manager).
3. Select the desktop environment you want to use (GNOME, KDE, XFCE).
4. Log back in, and the selected environment will load.

Step 4: Customizing Your Display Manager

If you prefer a different display manager (the software that handles user logins and graphical sessions), Manjaro allows you to switch easily.

• GDM: Used with GNOME. It’s simple and elegant.

  sudo systemctl enable gdm.service --force

• SDDM: Commonly used with KDE Plasma, it’s visually customizable.

  sudo systemctl enable sddm.service --force

• LightDM: Lightweight and typically used with XFCE.

  sudo systemctl enable lightdm.service --force

After enabling the desired display manager, reboot your system for the changes to take effect:

sudo reboot

Step 5: Troubleshooting

• Black Screen or Display Issues: If you encounter a black screen after installing a desktop environment, try reinstalling the X Window System (X11) using the command:

  sudo pacman -S xorg-server

• Display Manager Not Loading: If your display manager fails to load, ensure it’s correctly enabled using systemctl:

  sudo systemctl status gdm.service  # For GNOME
  sudo systemctl status sddm.service  # For KDE
  sudo systemctl status lightdm.service  # For XFCE

Step 6: Removing a Desktop Environment

If you decide to remove a desktop environment from your Manjaro installation, you can uninstall it with the following commands:

• Remove GNOME:

  sudo pacman -Rns gnome gnome-extra

• Remove KDE Plasma:

  sudo pacman -Rns plasma kde-applications

• Remove XFCE:

  sudo pacman -Rns xfce4 xfce4-goodies

After removing the desktop environment, be sure to switch to the display manager associated with your remaining DE or revert to a console-only system.

Conclusion

With this guide, you’ve learned how to install and switch between different desktop environments on Manjaro, whether it’s GNOME, KDE Plasma, or XFCE. By following the steps outlined, you can tailor your system to suit your preferences, whether you’re looking for a modern, feature-rich environment or a lightweight and fast interface.