Can you please advise me how critical this item is? I'm currently planning to switch from Windows to Zorin OS (doing a backup of all data) and I've never dealt with Linux before, but from what I understand, Zorin OS defaults to GNOME, which I VERY much dislike as it looks like mobile UIs, which I also VERY much dislike.
Before writing this question, I looked at some GNOME customization options, but no matter how it is customized by other people - it still looks like a mobile UI...
I would prefer to use KDE Plasma 6 instead of GNOME but.... will KDE Plasma 6 run correctly on Zorin OS? I've had a glimpse at other distributions that provide the ability to use KDE Plasma 6 out of the box, but none of these distributions appeal to me.
And... a slightly off-topic question, but... ArchWiki says that one of the components of the Desktop Environment is the Window Manager. And I am also aware of the existence of Window Manager such as Hyprland, and Awesome for example. And... in general I don't really like the way Hyprland looks to most people, but I think I might be able to customize it to my preferences. And actually, the question itself:
Is it possible to replace the Window Manager in the Desktop Environment? For example, instead of the Window Manager that uses KDE Plasma 6, use Hyprland, but have the rest of the “image” be from KDE Plasma? Is it possible to combine them somehow and use them at the same time? Or, despite the fact that the Window Manager, which is part of the Desktop Environment, is also a separate “unit”, and is not compatible with the Desktop Environment, if it was not originally created as a component of it? So Hyprland is not a component that can be used in any Desktop Environment, but rather a standalone unit that is used instead of the Desktop Environment?
I think based on the kernel available and the repos available to Zorin the version available via Synaptic Package Manager is 5.27 which I prefer over 6 because Tiled Menu by Zren (Win10). You might want to take a look at Q4OS KDE:
Yes, Zorin uses Gnome but it is customized. You don't have this Mobile UI Look by default. You have a Taskbar, a Startmenu and Desktop Icons. But You can turn off all these Stuff and then You would have this Mobile UI Look. By default you would have that on Distro's who use the so-called Vanilla Gnome Desktop. That is the Gnome desktop without Customizations. There You must add Customizations by yourself.
For Plasma 6: No Zorin doesn't have that. Zorin is based on Ubuntu 222 LTS and has the Plasma Version out of the Repo.
If You are interested in the Plasma Desktop maybe KDE Neon would be a better Option. This Distro comes from the KDE devvelopers woh are developing the Plasma Desktop. There You have a solid Ubuntu LTS Base with an up-to-date Plasma 6 Desktop.
Has anyone tried installing Cinnamon on the latest release? I installed cinnamon core on a fresh install. When I select it on the login screen and enter password, it just goes back to to the username entry. I can still login to Zorin desktop.
So, You installed cinnamon-core, yes? You should try it with cinnamon as the Package Name. The first one seems to be only Core Components. So, type sudo apt install cinnamon and try if it works.
Just for completeness, I installed the cinnamon package. It didn't appear to make any changes showing that it was already installed. So I think the notes in the tutorial are correct in that cinnamon<cinnamon-core<cinnamon-desktop-environment.
Going further, I installed cinnamon-desktop-environment. This did install a bunch more dependencies. However, I was still getting the same behavior when trying to switch DE's at login.
Since I was just testing this and didn't want to risk my daily driver's config, I was doing all this in a vm. It dawned on me that maybe I was having issues because of this. I decided to risk it on my regular laptop and it installed and works fine per the instructions.
The only issue I experienced so far is that the "background-blur" attribute in the cinnamon.css theme file is being ignored on Zorin (it works on Mint).
Hey Hey
I hope i dont sound dumb, is it rlly safe to install KDE on ZorinOS? i love KDE but also like ZorinOS, ive read a lot about "KDE breaking ZorinOS" on reddit and other platforms with screenshots they sent.
Well, yes. A bit of a Risk is there. Installing and switching the Desktop Environment can cause Issues. But it don't have to. Take Your Time when You do it. Don't think You have to hurry. What You should avoid is to unstall the Zorin OS Desktop because this could lead to uninstall binded Packages which are essential for the System.
My advise is, if you want to use the latest KDE (Plasma 6), you should go with a distro that supports it. Zorin 17 (Ubuntuu 22.04) comes with the old version.
Yes, it is safe to install the Kubuntu desktop on Zorin OS.
I have installed many Desktops on Zorin OS. Many. Including the ones they say we cannot.
The difference is made by being diligent and doing it right which is true of all packaging.
And many people try to force dependencies instead of being willing to downgrade packages. I consider this a reflection of ego, not of computing necessity.
Kubuntu D.E. on Zorin OS can replace Desktop packages - this does not "break" Zorin OS because it is doing exactly what the user asked it to do: Put the Kubuntu D.E. on.
For users that decided they did not want KDE, they then had to jump through some rather obscure hoops to remvoe it - causing them to feel like something was broken. Or that KDE was almost viral in the inability to remove it all.
You only need to tell the system to remove all the packages is all... Particularly the Breeze and Oxygen system themes that provide the KDE experience, but not he Gnome experience.
This is directed @Storm. Hi Storm, I remember you posting Budgie on Solus in the "Share your desktop thread". I've just been playing with Budgie on PCLOS Debian and I can't pin apps to the Panel. Is this normal in Budgie?
Here we have to seperate 2 Things: Kubuntu Desktop and KDE Desktop. The Kubuntu Desktop is the KDE Destop from the Kubuntu OS - like it is configured from this. The KDE Desktop is the pure KDE Desktop. It shouldn't make a big Difference but it could make one.
Because of kubuntu-full: I only found the kubuntu-desktop Package.
From KDE, there are 3 Options:
kde-plasma-desktop Package
That is the KDE Desktop with a minimal Set of Programs.
kde-standard Package
That is the KDE Desktop with a Standard Set of Programs (more that the first Option offers).
kde-full Package
That is the KDE Desktop and the full Palette of KDE Software.
