up vote 31 down vote favorite
10

After installing Ubuntu server how do I install the desktop environment?

share|improve this question
up vote 37 down vote accepted

Depending on which desktop you wish to install, you install the the meta-package that installs all the necessary packages. You can use apt-get or aptitude to do this.

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

installs the Unity desktop

sudo aptitude install kubuntu-desktop

would install the KDE desktop

Other desktop meta-packages are xubuntu-desktop, ubuntu-gnome-desktop, lubuntu-desktop, and edubuntu-desktop .

share|improve this answer
3  
For onlookers, here's additional info I found useful that's on the same wavelength as the answer - ubuntugeek.com/install-gui-in-ubuntu-server.html – John K Aug 13 '10 at 3:30
up vote 34 down vote

If you wan to install a graphical desktop manager without some of the desktop addons like Evolution and OpenOffice, but continue to use the server flavor kernel use the following command

sudo aptitude install --without-recommends ubuntu-desktop
share|improve this answer
3  
dam... started the install from the answer and scrolled down to this. :( – Meirion Hughes Jun 11 '14 at 8:29
    
my version of aptitude doesn't have that option. It does have --without-recommends – JHowIX Feb 3 '16 at 17:09
    
@JHowIX try using apt-get instead, that one worked for me. – AZhu Feb 6 '16 at 3:53
4  
sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends ubuntu-desktop or sudo aptitude install --without-recommends ubuntu-desktop – Hover Ruan Apr 21 '16 at 2:31
up vote 9 down vote 
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
share|improve this answer
up vote 7 down vote

If you just need to run virtual GUI (GUI exsists but you dont need to see it) on the computer for testing or other purposes.

sudo apt-get install xvnc4viewer

Is a setup I have.

:)

share|improve this answer
2  
So, the server isn't running the desktop, but you can still VNC from a client machine and get a desktop? That would be perfect for my needs (dunno about the OP). – Scaine Oct 16 '10 at 8:34
    
yeah you see a graphical shell. – Matt H May 8 '14 at 3:42

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.