desktop-environmentsgnomesessionunityxubuntu
Ubuntu originally has several available desktop environments to be chosen during login (like Gnome and Unity). I want to install others like KDE, LXDE, XFCE, etc.
I wonder if installing many other desktop environments/user interfaces will slow down the system? Or they are static files reside on the disk, and no effect on the system when their corresponding desktop environment are not used?
For getting back the default boot loading, use the following :
sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth
, then choose whichever bootscreen you prefer, for default /lib/plymouth/themes/ubuntu-logo/ubuntu-logo.plymouth, afterwards run this command sudo update-initramfs -u
For the login screen, run this command : sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm
Just install the one that you want. For example to install LXDE, just press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open Terminal. When it opens, run the command below.
sudo apt-get install lxde
for XFCE
sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop
for Gnome
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gnome-shell
Once you install the one you want, log out, choose the one you want, and log back in.
Best Answer
My compliments for the desire to try out alternatives, and not stick to 'out of the box' -- that's the FOSS attitude!
Unless you have concurrent users running different desktops at the same time, the other desktop environments will not slow down the system. They are mainly sitting statically on the disk.
In fact, you are likely to find out that some lightweight desktop environments will provide a snappier user experience overall, notably on lower end machines. If you particularly like one, you could even consider replacing the ubuntu-desktop package by the desktop environment of your choice.
If you want blazingly fast (and completely austere), try running only X with a window manager. Ah, the good old days ...