How to Install Kylin Desktop Environment on Ubuntu 22.04
Ubuntu users who want a fresh look and lighter resource usage can add the Kylin Desktop Environment (KDE‑like, but slimmer) to their system. This guide walks through adding the official repository, installing the packages, and getting the new session up and running without messing with the default GNOME.
Why Kylin Might Be Worth a Try
Kylin is designed for everyday productivity while keeping memory usage low. It ships a clean set of utilities that fit well on older machines or laptops that start to feel sluggish under GNOME’s heavier UI. A common scenario: after an automatic driver update, the desktop icons disappeared and system performance dipped—switching to Kylin restored a responsive experience in minutes.
1. Check Your Current Ubuntu Version
lsb_release -a
Make sure you’re on 22.04 LTS; older releases may not be supported by the latest Kylin packages, and newer ones might lack a stable build yet.
Repository metadata is tied to distribution codename (jammy for 22.04). Using the wrong version could pull in incompatible libraries or fail outright.
2. Update Your System
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
A clean base ensures that any dependency conflicts are already resolved.
Freshly updated packages reduce the risk of broken links when new dependencies are introduced by Kylin’s PPA.
3. Add the Official Kylin PPA
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kylindesktop/stable
When prompted, press <kbd>Enter</kbd> to confirm adding the source.
The PPA hosts all the Kylin binaries and ensures you get the latest security patches without manually downloading .deb files.
4. Refresh Package Lists Again
sudo apt update
The newly added repository will now appear in the package cache.
Without this step, apt install would not see Kylin’s packages.
5. Install the Core Packages
sudo apt install kylindesktop kde-plasma-desktop
The first package pulls the core Kylin components; the second adds a minimal KDE Plasma environment that Kylin relies on for window management and theming.
kylindesktop depends on a subset of Plasma, so installing both together avoids missing libraries that could crash the session.
6. Set Up a Login Session
- Log out of GNOME.
- On the login screen, click the gear icon next to your username.
- Choose Kylin Desktop from the list and enter your password.
Selecting the session explicitly ensures that the system loads only Kylin’s window manager and related services, keeping background processes lean.
7. Optional: Remove GNOME Packages You Won’t Use
If you’re comfortable giving up GNOME entirely:
sudo apt purge gnome-shell ubuntu-desktop
This frees up space and prevents accidental use of GNOME components that could interfere with Kylin’s lightweight design.
8. Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Could not load module 'kylin’” | Repository didn’t refresh before install | Run sudo apt update again, then sudo apt reinstall kylindesktop |
| Session fails to start, dropping back to GNOME | Missing dependency from old kernel | Ensure you’re on the latest 22.04 kernel (apt upgrade linux-generic) |
| Icons missing after login | Conflicting icon themes | Delete or rename ~/.config/kylin/ and log in again |
These quick checks usually resolve hiccups that appear when mixing new packages with an existing desktop stack.
Kylin installs smoothly if you follow the steps exactly; it’s a neat way to keep Ubuntu lightweight without sacrificing modern UI features. Give it a try, tweak the theme to your taste, and enjoy a cleaner, faster workflow.
