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.

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“.

See our guide on installing KDE Plasma themes for your Desktop.
Other Desktop Environments:
- How to install Cinnamon Desktop Environment on Fedora
- Install Pantheon Desktop Environment on Fedora
- Install Deepin Desktop Environment on Fedora
- How To Install Sugar Desktop on Fedora
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…
Hi,
try updated guide