KDE Plasma has proven to be the most customizable Linux Desktop Environment in existence. The KDE Community have developed a ton of high-quality applications that fit user’s Desktop needs. The top common Desktop Applications  that come with KDE Plasma include:

  • Dolphin File Manager
  • Kate text editor
  • Konqueror web browser
  • Kget download manager
  • KMail email client
  • Krita creative sketching and painting tool
  • KDE Connect
  • Okular document viewer
  • KMyMoney personal finance tool
  • Kdenlive video editing application
  • Amarok music management application
  • Digikam photo management application

Install KDE Plasma Desktop Environment on your Fedora to start enjoying these applications.

Install KDE Plasma on Fedora

KDE Plasma installation on Fedora is a straightforward process and doesn’t require an experienced Linux user. Run the following commands on your Desktop as a user with sudo privileges.

Fedora 41+:

sudo dnf install plasma-desktop plasma-workspace plasma-workspace-wayland plasma-settings sddm-wayland-plasma kde-baseapps kscreen sddm
startplasma-wayland

Fedora 41 and below:

sudo dnf group install "KDE Plasma Workspaces"

This installation has a huge list of dependencies that need to be installed. Be patient as this could take a while.

Switch to KDE Desktop Environment

Now that you have installed KDE Plasma on Fedora, reboot your system and select KDE desktop environment on the Login screen.

sudo reboot

This should work for Fedora Workstation installations. Click the “settings” icon next to the “Sign In” button.

install kde plasma fedora

Fedora Server Editions

For the server editions, you can use:

Fedora 35 and above

$ vim ~/.bashrc
export XDG_SESSION_TYPE="wayland exec dbus-run-session startplasma-wayland"

$ startx

Fedora 34 and below

echo "exec /usr/bin/startkde" >> ~/.xinitrc
startx

Select the Desktop Environment you want to Login to, provide user password and click on “Sign In“.

install kde plasma fedora 29 fedora 28

See our guide on installing KDE Plasma themes for your Desktop.

Other Desktop Environments:

2 COMMENTS

  1. Hi,

    “my” current system is FC35 (Rawhide) and I’m a startx user… i.e., no ‘*dm” for me.

    I thought I’d give KDE another try but apparently things have changed such that /usr/bin/startkde doesn’t exist any more.

    This URL is a really nice discussion about starting(?) KDE but doesn’t include “my” situation. Can you update this URL or maybe just tell me or point me to where I might find the information I’m looking for please?

    BEST REGARDS and STAY SAFE!

    George…

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here