Switch desktops in linux

Switching window manager/desktop environments?

In general what is the approach to switch the desktop environment or window manager on Ubuntu? The main difference between stock Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Lubuntu is supposedly the use of Unity vs. KDE vs. LXDE. However, in order to try various desktop environments and window managers I don’t want to have to reinstall the respective flavor from scratch just to get a particular desktop environments or window manager. There probably is an easier method than that. The question: How can I easily test different desktop environments and respective compatible window managers (say KDE, LXDE, Unity, GNOME, XFCE and StumpWM)?

4 Answers 4

Just install the one that you want. For example to install LXDE, just press Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard to open Terminal. When it opens, run the command below.

sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop 

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3 sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install gnome-shell 

Once you install the one you want, log out, choose the one you want, and log back in.

Thanks Mitch, I know how to find and install the relevant packages. What I don’t know is the part you left out: how can I make the choice of desktop environments and window managers available? Example: I had installed stock Ubuntu and then added the packages for KDE. Unfortunately there was no (visible/straightforward) way to choose it before logon, let alone set it as the new default for my account. Sorry if my question was confusing in that respect. +1

You should be able to select it (whatever session or desktop environment) at your login screen. On the KDE log in screen, click the down arrow in the bottom left corner of the login dialogue.

On the login screen, there’s an Ubuntu logo right next to your username. Click on this to reveal a list of all available desktop environments.

Note: on Ubuntu 18, I needed to restart the computer before it gave me the alternative window manager as an option at logon.

This confused me too. Once a new new desktop environment is installed using apt as described by @Mitch, then it can be difficult to see where the option is at login in the Gnome Display Manager (GDM) to select your desktop. As @DanFromGermany said, the icon is next to your login.

In this picture on 13.10, you’ll see that there is an icon to the right of my login name on the GDM screen — marked with a red arrow. This icon shows the desktop that will be active when you log in.

If you click this icon, you will get a list of the desktops available on this system.

Pick the one you want and log in — that desktop should then be available.

On 13.10 myself. I have awesome installed through apt but the selection is not there by default. I know it was there for 12.10. Edit: Fixed it by removing NoDisplay line in config /usr/share/xsessions/awesome.desktop see bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/awesome/+bug/1094811

There is a bug in awesome-ws, preventing it from showing up in the lightdm/gdm/kdm list.

Delete `NoDisplay=true’ in /usr/share/xsessions/awesome.desktop solves the problem.

If this is solved, you have an icon next to your login where you can switch the window managers.

I’d have answered the question «Switching window manager [. ] ?» different:

A WM (window manager) is something different than a desktop environment!
It’s like shoes and feet .

Just try to switch the WM (window managers) back and forth. Right, it is not about installing the whole environment and stuff.
The WM can stand alone mostly.

No, it does not immediately kill your GUI — this is just about login and WM and
I use it with
Lunbuntu, XFCE4, Wayland, Gnome, Unity, Ubuntu-X, Ubuntu-Wayland, . So do not hesitate to run the config command just to try a different one.
It is fun and it does not break anything (my personal experience).

I use it with Ubuntu 22.04 in the moment and it is still fun!

What I really like are these:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure sddm (lovely! unknown WM login. )

sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm (really light; avoids f***-up due to «energy saver» problems!)

sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm3 (well known, convenient!! until it crashes your machine due to the «energy saver» bulls***; typical Gnome, looks good until you find out all the problems and shortcomings and design issues and pitfalls and unresolved issues and and and . ) ignorance is bliss!

sudo dpkg-reconfigure slim
(you need to type your name and pwd — it is so slim it does not even offer drop down — very interesting experience, nice!)

If one is not available just install it. Mostly there will be hints.
sudo apt-get install sddm
would be one solution in the arena under a debian circus tent.

Do not miss this:
in the top left corner sddm and slim show the different available GUI flavours like Gnome, Unity, Ubuntu, w/o Wayland, XFCE etc. Choose before swaying at the display manager. No, it does not show you a screwed up desktop after successful user login. Actually it shows the same options like gdm3 (Gnome) in a different way of display. So you retain the choice of desktop surface when you chose your display manager.
Cool, isn’t it?

And then?
Well, you can just switch them again and again! There is no issue in just using a different one if you do not like the current one any longer.

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Changing Ubuntu Desktops with Shell

If you hold on for a bit after choosing an application that has several windows, a pane will pop up displaying the individual windows. Locate the options for «Switch applications» and «Switch windows».

In KDE Plasma, how can I switch between virtual desktops using Meta + Tab?

The keyboard shortcut to switch desktops on KDE by default is Ctrl + F1. You can also use F4 or F8 to switch to grid view.

You have the option to modify the «Walk through activities» shortcut or turn it off completely by accessing the «Plasma» section under «Shortcuts» in «Workspace» under «System Settings».

Head to the search bar and type «desktop» to find «Kwin» in the applications list. Once selected, shortcuts related to desktop switching will appear on the right. For those with only two desktops, opting for the «Switch to next desktop» shortcut and adding a custom shortcut by clicking on it is recommended. Remember to apply your changes.

The KDE desktop has a plethora of shortcuts that may seem overwhelming at first glance, but it becomes manageable with practice.

Ubuntu Studio 20.10 can’t change workspace with keyboard shortcut, Press Super+Page Down or Ctrl+Alt+Down to move to the workspace shown below the current workspace in the workspace selector. If you have other

ALT + TAB Windows in All Workspaces in 20.04 LTS

The tool for changing between applications and windows.

On the standard Ubuntu desktop that employs Gnome Desktop, there exist both an application switcher and windows switcher.

The tool known as the «application switcher» is used to switch between various applications. Upon selecting an application, all of its windows will be brought to the foreground. In the event that the selected application has multiple windows, a pane will appear after a brief wait, displaying each individual window. By using the keyboard shortcut «Alt + Key_above_Tab», you can choose a specific window to be brought to the front.

The window switcher displays open windows individually in a conventional manner.

By default, the Gnome Shell uses the application switcher, which is bound to both Alt + Tab and Super + Tab. However, in Ubuntu, the traditional window switcher is bound to Alt + Tab, while the application switcher is bound to Super + Tab.

By default, the application switcher toggles between applications on all desktops, while the window switcher toggles between applications on the current desktop only.

Adjusting the bindings for keys.

In the «Navigation» section of the «Settings» menu, you can establish keybindings for both the application switcher and the window switchers. Find the options for «Switch applications» and «Switch windows» within the «Keyboard Shortcuts» section.

Changing scope

The window switcher’s scope can be altered from only the current workspace to all workspaces by using a specific command.

gsettings set org.gnome.shell.window-switcher current-workspace-only false 

Altering the extent of the application switcher can be achieved by using the command to switch it from encompassing all workspaces to solely the current workspace.

gsettings set org.gnome.shell.app-switcher current-workspace-only true 

To reset the settings to default, utilize the identical commands but substitute set with reset and exclude the argument, such as false . For modifying these settings, you may also use the graphical tool dconf-editor , which is not pre-installed.

The current keyboard shortcut, Alt + `, may not be ideal for individuals who are used to the classic Alt + Tab, as it can disrupt their muscle memory. To restore the previous functionality, execute the provided command in Terminal.

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-windows "['Tab']" 

Cannot see Workplace Switcher in the Activities screen in Ubuntu, The Workspace switcher panel usually present on the right side in the activities or launchpad screen is completely gone. I can still use Ctrl+

(Ubuntu 20.04 LTS) Shortcut to switch focus between monitors in GNOME?

Regrettably, in Gnome, it doesn’t function as described. Instead, when you switch applications or windows, the monitor that the window is located on becomes the focused monitor. To accomplish this, you may use Alt + Tab or the application overview, which is only available on the primary monitor.

The opening monitor of a newly started application is often unpredictable. However, shortcut keys such as Super + Shift + . can be used to move a focused window to a different monitor.

An issue related to having a distinct workspace for each monitor is being monitored. According to a remark in the aforementioned link, you may enable workspaces for all monitors, but changing the workspace on one monitor will switch it on all monitors (i.e., workspaces are not separate as requested in this feature).

# Enable workspaces on all monitors gsettings set org.gnome.mutter workspaces-only-on-primary false 

For keyboard shortcuts to navigate between workspaces, refer to the following links: Super+Page Up or Ctrl+Alt+Up , and Super+Page Down or Ctrl+Alt+Down .

How do I easily switch between windows rather than applications in, You can use Alt + ` (the key above Tab ) to cycle between windows of the same application. You can even mix Alt + Tab to cycle between application and Alt +

(Ubuntu 20.04 LTS) Shortcut to switch focus between monitors in GNOME?

There is a relevant problem being monitored, which involves the availability of distinct workspaces for each monitor. According to a remark in the mentioned reference, you can enable workspaces for all monitors, but changing the workspace on one monitor will result in a change on all monitors (signifying that workspaces are not autonomous, as requested in this feature).

# Enable workspaces on all monitors gsettings set org.gnome.mutter workspaces-only-on-primary false 

For shortcuts to navigate between workspaces, refer to this link which includes Super+Page Up , Ctrl+Alt+Up , Super+Page Down and Ctrl+Alt+Down .

Regrettably, in Gnome, it does not seem to function in this manner. When it comes to Gnome, if you switch between applications and/or windows, the monitor that’s focused will depend on where the window is located. This transition can be made by using Alt+Tab or via the application overview, which appears on the primary monitor.

When launching a new application, there is limited control over which monitor it will appear on. However, there are shortcut keys available to move the active window to a different monitor, including pressing the Super key, Shift key, and period key.

How to Install and Use Another Desktop Environment on Linux, Switching desktop environments is as simple as installing a software package and selecting your preferred environment on the login screen,

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