19

I have Ubuntu server 12.10 and I would like to switch to desktop and would like to know how?

Thanks

1 Answer 1

25

The server and desktop are basically the same thing but server does not have GUI stuff (xorg, desktop manager and ...) installed. On the same time server might have packages installed that would not be there if use Ubuntu on a desktop.

Before you start, it is always good to update packages list before you install something:

sudo apt-get update

The easiest solution would be to use a program called Tasksel that you can install by typing:

sudo apt-get install tasksel

Run it by typing:

sudo tasksel

It gives you a simple gui to manage larger software bundles ("LAMP server", "Ubuntu desktop", "Lubuntu desktop") that have been installed in your system. Mark the stuff you need with asterisks by selecting them with up/down arrows and pressing space. After that press enter install what you have selected. To install regular Ubuntu desktop choose "Ubuntu desktop".


If the Tasksel does not work for some reason. You can install packages that come with the regular Desktop installation (Unity) with this:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

If you prefer Lubuntu flavour use the lubuntu-desktop package or if you prefer KDE use the kubuntu-desktop package or if you want Xfce use the xubuntu-desktop package instead of ubuntu-desktop.

3
  • Thank you very much. I will tell you how it goes shortly.
    – user176520
    Jul 20, 2013 at 7:16
  • I got the message :tasksel: aptitude failed (100)" What should I do now?
    – user176520
    Jul 20, 2013 at 7:19
  • 1
    If you want to switch immediately after installing, you may have to sudo apt-get update before the sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop.
    – Paul Price
    Jun 1, 2014 at 22:44

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .