How do I switch to Xubuntu?

Question

I'd like to use Xubuntu in 11.10 instead of Unity, how do I install it and switch to it?

If you want to also get rid of any "ubuntu gnomish" cruft, try psychocat's [Pure XFCE](http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/purexfce) — gregnotcraig, Oct 04 '11 at 16:25
Check On http://codetalk2.blogspot.in/2015/02/transform-ubuntu-into-xubuntu.html — Rakesh KR, Feb 08 '15 at 19:07

score 42 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 12 '20 at 14:37

42

Instructions for 11.10 and 12.04

Install the xubuntu-desktop package - to do that, run the following:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

At some point during the install, you will be asked to choose between gdm and lightdm - I prefer lightdm, so thats what the screenshot shows.

Logout, you will be confronted by the LightDM manager.

Then, click the little cog wheel, and select Xubuntu Session.

Then, enter your password, hit Enter and you'll be logged into Xubuntu.

enter image description here

edited Jun 12 '20 at 14:37

Community

answered Oct 04 '11 at 14:38

jrg

1

What is the difference between **lightdm** and **gdm**? – Alvar Oct 17 '11 at 08:09
2

@Alvar `lightdm` is installed by default, and (in my opinion) is prettier than `gdm` - `lightdm` is also easier on ram, CPU etc than `gdm` – jrg Oct 17 '11 at 10:14
1

What's the difference between Xfce session and Xubuntu session? I thought Xubuntu was Ubuntu using Xfce! – Oct 20 '11 at 11:59
2

@Poldie XFCE is plain XFCE, Xubuntu is XFCE, but with some added tweaks to the config to make it "Xubuntu'ed". – jrg Oct 20 '11 at 12:00
Ok I'll start using Xubuntu Session tonight - thanks! – Oct 20 '11 at 12:27
Do these still work for 13.04 and newer? Also, it is my opinion you should use `dist-upgrade`, since `upgrade` alone won't clean everything up. – Seth Feb 26 '14 at 21:32

score 13 · Answer 2 · edited Feb 26 '14 at 21:28

13

sudo apt-get install tasksel
sudo tasksel

Check xubuntu and uncheck ubuntu.

edited Feb 26 '14 at 21:28

leszek.hanusz

answered Oct 04 '11 at 14:55

Charles

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 04 '11 at 14:47

0

And to remove original gnome desktop (after jrg's how-to) remove the package ubuntu-desktop

sudo apt-get remove ubuntu-desktop

You also sould do apt-get autoremove after doing that:

sudo apt-get autoremove

answered Oct 04 '11 at 14:47

fnkr

2

Removing gnome desktop isn't a good idea, it removes a lot of stuff that `xubuntu-desktop` needs as well. – jrg Oct 04 '11 at 15:00
1

Sure? I didn't read something like this. – fnkr Oct 06 '11 at 11:33
7

@jrg If `xubuntu-desktop` needs it, it should be listed as a dependency and won't get autoremoved. – graywh Apr 27 '12 at 16:05