Debian linux with lxde
LXDE in Debian
Installation
The minimum set of elements:
A complete set of elements:
A complete Debian LXDE desktop environment (starting from Debian 7.0 «Wheezy»):
# apt install task-lxde-desktop
Running LXDE
GDM / KDM / LightDM
No extra configuration needed for GDM / KDM / LightDM: just simply select the LXDE option at the login screen menu.
XDM
For XDM, you will need to have the ~/.xsession file in your home folder. If you do not have one, create it. XDM reads this file as a script. See the XDM documentation for more information. The final line in your ~/.xsession file should read:
If you are starting X with startx, the same line would go in your ~/.xinitrc file.
An alternate way you can change the default session manager system-wide is by updating the link Debian holds in /etc/alternatives/:
# update-alternatives --config x-session-manager
You will be given a list of options. Select startlxde to select LXDE as your default session manager system-wide.
Keyboard layout switching
First of all, you need to add the necessary keyboard layouts into the /etc/default/keyboard config file (see also: Keyboard in Debian Wiki).
Here is an example with 5 layouts (US English, Ukrainian, Russian, German and French) and + as a layout changer key combination:
# KEYBOARD CONFIGURATION FILE # Consult the keyboard(5) manual page. XKBMODEL="pc105" XKBLAYOUT="us,ua,ru,de,fr" XKBVARIANT="" XKBOPTIONS="grp:alt_shift_toggle" BACKSPACE="guess"
For the changes to take affect, you need to execute the following command:
# udevadm trigger --subsystem-match=input --action=change
After that, you can add a «Keyboard Layout Switcher» applet onto the LXPanel and finally test it.
External links
How to install LXDE GUI in Debian 11 Bullseye
T he LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) is a program that aims to create a lightweight and fast desktop environment. This software is a meta-package that relies on the LXDE’s core and recommended components such as lxde-core, lxappearance, lxinput, lxsession-edit, gpicview, mousepad, lxterminal, galculator, lxrandr, and xarchiver. LXDE is optimized for devices with limited resources, including older resource-constrained PCs, newer netbooks, and other compact computers.
This tutorial guide will illustrate how to install LXDE on an existing Debian 11 Bullseye installation. Therefore, to learn more, keep reading this article guide.
Installing LXDE GUI in Debian 11 Bullseye
To install LXDE on Debian 11, we will use the apt command.
Note: You can also use the apt-get or aptitude command:
First, update the system with the following command:
After that, you can install LXDE using this command:
sudo apt install lxde task-lxde-desktop -y
The above command will install the necessary packages and dependencies to run the GUI.
You will be prompted to configure Lightdm throughout the installation process; hit OK when prompted, as seen below.
Select lightdm and hit ENTER on the following screen, as seen below.
Note: If the preceding setting didn’t prompt you, or if you wish to switch to Lightdm once LXDE is installed, execute the following command to bring up the setup panel.
sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm3
Press OK on the setup screen.
Select Lightdm and hit ENTER on the following screen.
Note: If you cannot still configure the installed LXDE desktop, skip and switch the user and choose LXDE.
Log out or switch users after installing LXDE and selecting Lightdm to effect changes made on your Debian 11 OS.
Note: If you have a problem with xfce4-terminal, which is the default terminal emulator for LXDE, you can install another terminal like this:
sudo apt-get install lxterminal
After that, you have to configure LXDE to run at startup. To do this, we use the following command:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure lxsession
After that, reboot your PC. You should note a new icon on your desktop called “LXDE.” When you click on it, it will show the login screen. Now you can sign in and enjoy using LXDE.
If you want to change the default terminal emulator, you can use the following command:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xfce4-terminal or sudo update-alternatives --config x-terminal-emulator
How to install LXDE during Debian installation
The Debian installation process has a very basic and easy-to-use installer. For example, the following instructions will guide you through installing LXDE on your new Debian machine. This section covers how to install LXDE during the Debian installation process if you don’t already have Debian installed. The installation procedure is nearly identical to Gnome’s; the main variation is in the package selection stage. So let’s get started.
Insert your media installer (DVD, USB) and start it up.
Now click on “Install” followed by “Graphical install.” The installer window will now appear:
Click the “Continue” button, and you will be presented with a menu of different language options for the installation process. Select your preferred language, choose your location (the country where you live), and then click “Continue” to proceed. Once this data has been entered, you should see a screen like the one shown below:
Select your desired keyboard layout (for example, United States) and press “Continue” to proceed with the installation process.
Note: On the next screen, you can choose whether or not you want to run an update of your software packages before continuing with the installation process.
Depending on your computer specifications, the installer will load the required components, which might take a few seconds to many minutes.
Loading installation components
The next step is to choose your system hostname, which is the name that displays after your username, such as fosslinux@hostname. The hostname might be the computer name if you’re using Windows. This is an entirely random decision. Then hit the Continue button.
The following form contains another random field that asks for your domain name; if you like, you can leave it blank, then hit Continue.
The root user must now be given a password. If you’re a Windows user, the root user is equivalent to the Administrator user. Continue after filling in the password.
Another arbitrary field requires you to provide your user’s true name; you can type whatever name you like (This is not the username). Then hit the Continue button.
Input the user’s full name
Now type the non-privileged username into the empty username field and click Continue.
Press Continue after defining a new passphrase for the non-privileged user you created in the previous step.
Set non-privileged user password
Choose your time zone; this is necessary for your computer clock to function appropriately; once you’ve chosen a time zone, further options will appear; then hit the Continue button.
Now you must allocate disk space or partitions for the new Debian installation. It is advised that new users take advantage of the available free space. Use the “Guided – use the entire disk” if you have no substantial knowledge about partitioning and don’t want to tamper with any of your hard drive partitions. You may proceed if you are comfortable with Linux partitions.
Select the disk device that you want Debian 11 OS to be installed; if you have a unique disk, that’s OK; if not, choose the proper disk and click Continue.
Now you must decide where you want your files to be installed. In this scenario, we’ll install all files in a single partition, which is the preferred choice for new users; if you’re an expert user, you can partition your disk as you wish. Continue when you’ve made your selections.
Choose partitioning scheme
Select “Finish partitioning and write changes to disk,” then hit Continue.
Finish partitioning to make changes
The installation of the base system files will proceed; this might take a few minutes. Now you will be shown a progress bar as the installation process runs.
The installation will ask whether you have any other media; the default choice is “No,” so select it and hit Next.
Scan extra installation media
The installer will probe whether you want to install up-to-date packages from a mirror; you may click “Yes” and then choose a mirror, or you can select “No” and update packages later using the apt update command. Choose your preferred choice and hit Continue.
Choose Debian archive mirror
The installation of packages will begin, and you will be needed to engage with the package selection at this time.
When prompted, “Would you want to participate in the package usage survey?” Select the desired option and click Continue.
On the next screen, add LXDE to your freshly installed Debian system. Choose the LXDE package and click Continue.
The software installation will proceed; it will take a few minutes to complete.
You’ll be prompted to set up Lightdm. Continue after selecting Lightdm.
The software installation will take a few more minutes to complete.
When the software installation is complete, you will be prompted to install the GRUB bootloader; choose “Yes” and press Continue.
Select the disk device where Debian will be installed and click Continue.
The software installation will take a few more minutes to complete. Once the installation process is complete, you will see a dialogue box asking you to restart your computer.
That’s all LXDE has been successfully installed on your Debian 11 Bullseye OS.
Conclusion
Installing LXDE GUI in Debian 11 Bullseye is a simple task that can be executed without complications. The two methods used to install the GUI have all been covered in this article guide. I hope you found it helpful. If yes, please leave a remark in the comments section below and let us know which method worked for you.