How to install desktop environment in centos 7

CentOS 7 is a stable, enterprise-grade operating system that is widely used on servers. By default, it comes with a minimal installation, which lacks a desktop environment (graphical interface). However, if you’re using CentOS 7 as a workstation or simply want the convenience of a graphical interface, you can install various desktop environments like GNOME, KDE, or XFCE. This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing a desktop environment on CentOS 7, along with explaining key concepts and terms.

Prerequisites

CentOS 7 Installed: This guide assumes you have CentOS 7 installed and have access to the root user or a user with sudo privileges.
Internet Connection: You will need an active internet connection to download the required packages.

Key Terms Explained

Desktop Environment (DE): A collection of software that provides a graphical interface (GUI) for interacting with the operating system. Common DEs include GNOME, KDE, and XFCE.
GNOME: A modern and user-friendly desktop environment that is widely used in Linux distributions.
KDE: A customizable and visually appealing desktop environment known for its high configurability and features.
XFCE: A lightweight desktop environment designed for low-resource usage while maintaining a fast and functional user experience.
YUM (Yellowdog Updater Modified): A package manager for RPM-based Linux distributions like CentOS, used to install, update, and remove software packages.
X11 (X Window System): A system that provides the graphical user interface (GUI) on Unix-like operating systems.

Step 1: Update Your CentOS 7 System

Before installing any packages, it is important to update your system to ensure all software and dependencies are up to date. Use the following command to update your CentOS 7 system:

sudo yum update -y

yum: The package manager for CentOS.
update: This command fetches the latest versions of installed packages.
-y: Automatically answers ‘yes’ to all prompts, ensuring that the update process runs without manual intervention.

Step 2: Install EPEL Repository

The Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository provides additional packages for CentOS that are not included in the default repositories. Some desktop environments and supporting packages may require the EPEL repository. Install it using the following command:

sudo yum install epel-release -y

epel-release: A repository of additional packages that can be installed on CentOS.

Step 3: Install GNOME Desktop Environment

CentOS 7 comes with GNOME as the default desktop environment. If you’re looking for a modern and user-friendly desktop environment, GNOME is an excellent choice. To install GNOME, run the following command:

sudo yum groupinstall "GNOME Desktop" "Graphical Administration Tools" -y

groupinstall: Installs a group of related packages. In this case, it installs the GNOME Desktop environment and related graphical administration tools.

After installation is complete, set GNOME as the default system target (which defines the system’s boot mode):

sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target

systemctl: A system command that manages services and targets in CentOS.
set-default graphical.target: This command sets the default boot mode to graphical (GUI) mode instead of multi-user (command-line) mode.

Finally, reboot your system to load into the GNOME desktop environment:

sudo reboot

Step 4: Install KDE Desktop Environment (Optional)

KDE is another popular desktop environment that is highly customizable and offers a rich set of features. To install KDE on CentOS 7, use the following command:

sudo yum groupinstall "KDE Plasma Workspaces" -y

Set KDE as the default target if you prefer to use it:

sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target

Reboot your system to start the KDE desktop environment:

sudo reboot

Step 5: Install XFCE Desktop Environment (Optional)

XFCE is a lightweight and fast desktop environment, ideal for systems with limited resources or those that require minimal overhead. To install XFCE on CentOS 7, use the following command:

sudo yum groupinstall "Xfce" -y

Once the installation is complete, set XFCE as the default target if you prefer using it:

sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target

Reboot your system to start the XFCE desktop environment:

sudo reboot

Step 6: Switch Between Desktop Environments (Optional)

If you have installed multiple desktop environments (for example, GNOME and KDE), you can switch between them at the login screen. Follow these steps:

Log out of your current session.
At the login screen, click on the gear icon (or the session menu).
Select the desktop environment you want to use (GNOME, KDE, XFCE).
Log back in, and the selected desktop environment will load.

Step 7: Install X11 and VNC for Remote Desktop (Optional)

If you want to access your CentOS 7 desktop environment remotely, you can install the X11 system and a VNC server. Here’s how:

Install X11 and VNC Server:

   sudo yum install xorg-x11-server-Xorg xorg-x11-xauth xorg-x11-apps vnc-server -y

Configure VNC Server:
Set a VNC password:

   vncpasswd

Start VNC Server:

   vncserver

Use a VNC viewer on another computer or device to connect to your CentOS system’s graphical desktop environment using the VNC server IP address and port number.

Step 8: Troubleshooting

Black Screen or Login Issues: If you encounter a black screen or issues during login after installing the desktop environment, try running the following command to reinstall the X11 window system:

  sudo yum install xorg-x11-server-Xorg -y

System Performance: If your system is slow after installing the desktop environment, consider switching to a lighter DE like XFCE or LXDE.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you’ve successfully installed a desktop environment on CentOS 7, whether it be GNOME, KDE, or XFCE. These environments provide you with m4ñjjjjj56lthe flexibility to choose between different graphical interfaces based on your personal preference or hardware capabilities. With the addition of the X11 and VNC server setup, you can also remotely access your desktop, giving you further control over how you use CentOS 7 as a desktop or server environment.