Objective

To following tutorial will explain how to install xfce desktop on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver. Use this guide if you wish to change your default GNOME desktop to the xfce environment. See also our article: The 8 Best Ubuntu Desktop Environments (18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux) for more desktop environment choices.

Alternatively follow our guide on how to install GUI on Ubuntu server 18.04 Bionic Beaver.

Operating System and Software Versions

• Operating System: – Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux

Requirements

Privileged access to your Ubuntu System as root or via sudo command is required.

Conventions

• # – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command
• $ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

Other Versions of this Tutorial

Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa)

If you’re using focal fossa, follow these steps.

Instructions

Disable Wayland display server

The first step is to disable Wayland. Before you move on, follow our quick guide on how to disable Wayland and enable Xorg display server on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver.

Install Xfce desktop on Ubuntu 18.04

With Wayland out of the way, begin xfce desktop installation by opening up terminal and executing:

$ sudo apt install xfce4