Best desktop environment for arch linux reddit. 45 votes, 58 comments.

Best desktop environment for arch linux reddit. I started my Linux experience with dwm, tried some other options through time for 1-2 week periods, but I'm still using dwm. 6Ghz x2, 4Gb ram, Intel hd graphics). For Desktop Environments, I always stuck with XFCE. Other desktop environments require a lot more effort A subreddit for the Arch Linux user community for support and useful news. It's Mac-ish only on the very surface. 45 votes, 58 comments. A desktop environment is a collection of software that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for users to interact with the operating system. # Installing GNOME on Arch Linux sudo pacman -S gnome Configuration Files: For advanced users, tweaking configuration files can optimize system performance. I've never really given Plasma a chance. Best desktop environment to configure from command line? For work (University IT), I've been working on a stripped down and customized version of system-rescue-cd, which in its most recent update switched to being based on arch. KDE is the best and not because its default layout may be more familiar to Windows users. For example, KDE is great but overwhelming at times. Aug 11, 2025 · In this blog post, we will explore the fundamental concepts of the best Arch Linux desktops, discuss usage methods, common practices, and share some best practices to help you make the most out of your Arch Linux experience. 238K subscribers in the archlinux community. I installed Arch and tried some desktop environments and window managers. dbus-launch startxfce4: Initiates the XFCE4 desktop environment. KDE is the best simply because it can be customized and tailored to your tastes without compromising on features. Jan 15, 2025 · What Is a Desktop Environment? A desktop environment (DE) is the graphical interface you interact with on a Linux system. With so much choice, it can get overwhelming for users to select the right desktop We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Is Arch great or are other distributions such as Bazzite, Drauger or Nobara better? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Ubuntu has a rep as user friendly and most linux guides online are written for Ubuntu users. One of the most fascinating aspects of Arch Linux is its wide range of desktop environments. The only way to know how well a given desktop will work with your hardware is to try it out. I'm looking for a fast minimalist desktop that doesn't consum a lot of ram. This is nice because archiso makes this process relatively simple. See More Specs Based On: Arch Linux Default Desktop Environment: Bash (Unix shell I'm so undecided about desktop environments, which one should I choose and why are you recommending it? I need a stable, customizable one. I've tried vanilla gnome, kde, cinnamon, mate (and more) but just can't decide. I've gotten XFCE looking pretty fancy (Nowhere near UnixPorn levels, but close enough. Elegance is one of the vaguest, most overused terms in technology today, really coming down to personal preference. What is the best Desktop Environment / Window Manager configuration for gaming? For reference: CPU: ryzen 3900x, RAM: 32 Gb, GPU0 RTX 3060 ti (main), GPU1 gtx 1060 (vfio captured), Montor0: 1440p 180hz, Monitor1: 1080p 144hz both 16:9 I am going to reinstall my Arch Linux and I'd like to switch from gnome, because it's really resource busy. It features the main terminal installation with additional steps to configure a graphical environment, video drivers and even gaming, with tips and tricks included here and there. Visual customization is about the desktop environment, not the distro. Generally, KDE and Gnome have been considered heavier because of the complexity they offer. Hello /linux_gaming/, Was just curious if there was a preferred desktop environment for gaming. We start with the ISO of Arch Linux and end in a themed and tweaked desktop. The desktop environment comprises GUI elements like windows, icons, panels, wallpapers and determines how you interact with the system. Nov 9, 2023 · Unlike Windows or MacOS that come with a standard desktop environment, one of the biggest advantages of Linux is the ability to choose from multiple desktop environments. I'm running Debian Sid with i3 (6. Locked in protest at the 3rd… A subreddit for the Arch Linux user community for support and useful news. They are all great. 😂 Going down the rabbit hole of learning! I'm very excited . Jun 13, 2025 · Arch Linux is renowned for its flexibility, minimalism, and user - centric approach. 6 days ago · A Linux distribution, or distro, is a packaged version of the Linux operating system that includes the kernel, desktop environment, and essential tools. Hyprland compatible desktop env Hey community, working on my new setup and keep seeing lots of good looking rices over on r/unixporn that are using Hyprland. xinitrc as your own personal desktop environment. Hi, I want to switch from windows 10 to linux and I am amazed of r/unixporn rice posts! I think Ubuntu is best distro for me, because it's user friendly and based on debian and . The goal of this "guide" is not to replace the godly official arch linux wiki, but rather to provide an A subreddit for the Arch Linux user community for support and useful news. I’m thinking about using a rolling release Linux distro to ensure I have the latest NVIDIA driver support, likely heading towards Arch. As you can see from the many responses, the best desktop environment is the one that suits you the best. I love Arch for all the same reasons that most of its users do, but I would have to say that my particular favorite thing about Arch as a distro is that, whenever there is a big political or philosophical debate going on within the Linux community, Arch just keeps on providing the best operating system out there and never enters the fray. Any modern, up to date distro should have touchscreen support, because that's baked into the kernel. so what's the best to start? thinking that I never used linux in my life. What desktop environment would you recommend me (and why)? Hello I have been using Linux for a while and was wondering where to start with creating my own custom desktop? Where would I begin to make my own Desktop (or UI) from scratch? I've been using Arch for a while, but I still can't seem to figure out which desktop environment I like. Apr 5, 2024 · Learn about all the best Linux desktop environments for various use cases that you can install today on any distro you use. Best Desktop Environment / Compositor for proprietary nvidia drivers? Been using arch/KDE on an optimus laptop for a while at this point and I really love it. It's boring and a waste of my time. My desktop environment and editor run in Arch, but my build environment is rarely Arch and much more likely to be a Debian/Ubuntu chroot or a specificly built chroot for the project that does not use Arch packages. Jun 20, 2025 · Arch Linux is renowned for its flexibility, minimalism, and user control. In 2025, choosing the best Linux distro matters because hardware, workloads, and user needs are more diverse than ever. My favorite desktop environment is gnome because of how windows key centric it is. That's what I know. Jul 22, 2025 · Desktop Environment: Most distros allow you to choose different desktop environments. I really hate when I have FPS drops in my DE. I love the eye candy on KDE, but GNOME and XFCE seem to be much faster. Popular DEs like KDE Plasma and GNOME each offer unique features and experiences. It’s an Ubuntu-based operating system that’s good for day-to-day usage and gaming. Linux offers a wide variety of distros, each tailored to different types of users—whether you're a beginner seeking simplicity, a professional needing powerful tools, or an advanced user who loves customization. The result of all my fiddling was I accidentally learned to use the CLI (command line interface), liked it better than any DE, and happily deleted all the DE's and just ran a minimal WM (window A subreddit for discussions and news about gaming on the GNU/Linux family of operating systems (including the Steam Deck). We tried them so that you don’t have to. Too many Arch users use a window manager instead of a desktop environment. As the title suggest, what is your current desktop environment on Arch? I have tested Arch Linux, Debian GNU/Linux 11 and 12, Android x86, Fedora 36, Linux Mint 21, 21. I am one of those users. What would be the best desktop environment for my arch Linux computer? Note this computer has a Intel core duo T9600 2. you can make it as hard as you want to (you can preinstall fully featured desktop enviroment with arch install, you can install minimal environment with arch install or you can install it all on your own without arch install. So, here, we’ve created a list of the best desktop environments available for Linux distros along with their pros and cons for you. I did some research, but I am overwhelmed, so I am asking for help. In this guide, we'll explore the top Linux distros for desktop use that offer the What desktop environment should I use. deb packages work in it. Arch Linux has 13 desktop environment available in its official repositories at the recording of this video. A desktop environment is a collection of software that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) on top of the Linux operating system, including a window I can't decide on desktop environment I decided on permanent distro which was harder for sure but now an other obstacle. Find your perfect fit! After distro hooping for quite a while, I settled down with linux mint + gnome 43 (wayland) and awesomewm (x11) Afaik, Gnome has the best support for touchpad gesture, which I find other DEs and WMs lacking. 69 votes, 216 comments. A subreddit for asking question about Linux and all things pertaining to it. I have a few questions, thank you for the help! I'm planning on setting up Linux Mint on my computer, and as of the latest version there are a few stock options for a DE: Cinnamon, XFCE, and MATE. Jul 9, 2009 · you dont even need a proper desktop environment, thats part of the reason i like arch so much, you can use ~/. i am a ex-fedora user loved but switched to ferdora becoause of its ram usage what desktop environment would you guys suggest… The lightest Linux desktop environment based on my experience is suckless DWM, as it's super minimal in design containing only the necessary code for it to run, by default it will not even set a wallpaper for you, their design idea is that they give you the most basic template and then you add patches and features to it from the community or Hi everyone, I'm looking for the best Linux distribution that fits the following criteria, and I’d love to hear your recommendations: My requirements: Performance: The system should be fast and lightweight, but I have a good PC (HP OMEN, i7-12700H, 32GB RAM, RTX 3070Ti). The window manager / desktop environment choice is definitely a personal preference though, so check out other options for window manager; i3, awesome, xmonad, bspwm are all fine. so that is why i wanted to ask which desktop environment to get with arch linux? 1. While I wouldn't claim there's an objective best DE since everyone has different preferences, here's my personal ranking of 10 popular Linux desktop environments. 1. Dec 11, 2024 · Best Linux Desktop Environment for Remote Desktop and Development: MATE provides a consistent performance level without demanding excessive resources, making it best linux desktop environment for remote desktop usage and development work on systems like Rocky Linux and Arch. Installing Desktop Environment I have installed Arch on my system. more. If you are comfortable without them or installing some by hand, EndeavourOS and Arch itself also are good distros for daily use. I created 4 GiB swap file. Hope can you help me. Can someone explain how to install a desktop environment (KDE preferably)? A subreddit for the Arch Linux user community for support and useful news. You use the windows key to navigate virtual desktops, search for applications, and even to navigate between different windows on your desktop reserving alt + tab to navigate between windows that are the 2 most recently viewed. What u mean flavor? i use pure kde with bismuth tiling window mananing system on arch linux So, i use a lot of different wm before but i missed out on the desktop glueing togheter software, unlike window managers that you use diferent stuff for everything Jul 13, 2025 · The same distro can offer multiple DE variations—like Manjaro offering KDE Plasma and GNOME editions —and the choice of DE can make or break your Linux experience. The Windows-like feel of Mint makes users switching from Windows feel at home and is one of the main selling points of the distro. the KDE Plasma desktop is the most customizable out there, but if you like to build things from the ground up, us a barebones window manager like OpenBox or i3wm and then add bit by bit your own programs for taskbars, terminals, app launchers, etc. Mar 23, 2025 · The creators of one of the coolest Linux distros just released a new version - and it puts the old one to shame. I don't have a liking for any one Linux desktop environment. So what would u recommend for that Setup? KDE, GNOME or XFCE ? Please also tell me why u prefer it. Which of these would be best for customizing the appearance to match/outdo the MacOS look? What are the best components (Display Server, Desktop Environment, Display Manager, File Manager, Terminal, etc) for customization and ricing? (In your opinion). kde plasma themes edition i am switching from pop os to arch Jan 19, 2024 · A list of the best and most beautiful Arch Linux distribution which gives you out-of-the-box stunning visual desktop and experience. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. com A subreddit for the Arch Linux user community for support and useful news. Even with "manual" layout managers you are at most choosing a macro layout before launching a program and having it automatically sized and Jul 23, 2025 · Choosing the best Linux distribution for desktop use can greatly enhance your computing experience. xinitrc this is mine xbindkeys & lxde-settings-daemon & xfdesktop & xfwm4 & xfce4-panel & exec ck-launch-session startlxde redditmedia. com May 20, 2024 · Optimizing your Arch Linux system with the best desktop environment can significantly enhance your user experience and productivity. I have a notebook (mp 1. People have said i3 but that's a WM (Windows Manager), not a Desktop Environment, though it's also heavily customizable if you're willing to give it a try. May 20, 2025 · TheServerHost - Dedicated - VPS - Server Hosting - This article compline top 10 best Linux Desktop Environment based of Features, simplicity, usability and Popularity. Also, is there a 'best' or most common desktop environment as well? As a new user of Arch and Linux in general, I want to know how I can maximize my experience using Arch without a desktop environment, because of how light it is. In this comprehensive review and buying guide, we explore the top contenders to crown the best desktop environment for Arch. You can do "ricing" in any distro. Just to mention, this list is in no particular order of ranking. It includes elements like the taskbar, application menu, system settings, and default applications. The best desktop environment is what you like best. I want to learn and get deeper into customization and ricing so I would appreciate that you suggest a place to start and where to go. Thanks! Archived post. 80Ghz 4GB RAM GPU… Mate and Cinnamon are both very similar, Mate is just gnome 2 derived, to quote its description "It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. I tried both spins, OpenRC and runit and sticked with runit, as it has a lot of elegance in its simplicity and needs only a few seconds for a clean shutdown. Others will go deeper into AUR helpers like yay, gpg keys, ArcoLinux Spices app, … Some tutorials are all-in-one installation. I'll share my experiences using each one and offer some perspective on the pros and cons. Jan 17, 2025 · What do Arch Linux users prefer? The Community Survey results summarize 3,923 responses, unveiling intriguing trends and preferences. I found I3wm very difficult, my computer couldn't support hyprland (f you Nvidia) and KDE seemed nice. This includes your Window Manager, as well as a number of other components and application designed to work together, such as screen lockers, wallpaper managers, panels etc. dbus-launch starts a session bus instance of D-Bus, enabling communication between desktop components. The desktop environment I use Xfce pure is simple and easy to learn For someone switch from windows to linux is XFCE Edition (different from Xfce pure) the desktop environment is look familiar to you So, you're currently using Gnome, which is a Desktop Environment - basically, a collection of several components to make your desktop work. Everything that Erik covers equates to 2-3 years of university, and about 95% of Arco is pure Arch, so the Wiki is a great friend. I understand that there is some desktop environment (Gnome, KDE), window manager (awesomeWM) and window A subreddit for the Arch Linux user community for support and useful news. One of the most exciting aspects of using Arch Linux is the ability to choose from a wide variety of desktop environments to suit your specific needs and preferences. just put what you want in your ~/. I recently discovered about window managers and how are people comparing it to a desktop environment, and I learned something while reading and watching something about it Desktop environment A desktop environment (DE) is an implementation of the desktop metaphor made of a bundle of programs, which share a common graphical user interface (GUI). " Linux fits the latter description, but Gnome kinda tries to have it both ways, which is why I just can't stand using it. What is the most common distro in production environments? I don't know what the future will bring my way, so it'd be nice to be real comfortable with the most common options. "Best" is completely subjective, but regarding full-blown DEs, KDE Plasma is the most customizable, with XFCE right behind it if I'm not mistaken. Which desktop environment is the best So am new in arch Linux and I wanna install desktop environment when I check the official website it has like 10 of them so I don't even know what is the best I need the best to install in my arch Linux pc A subreddit for the Arch Linux user community for support and useful news. However, I don't know what is the best distro for my PC that has an NVIDIA GPU. So, there are a few things you have to consider before going down that route: Are you interested in a keyboard driven workflow? I have everything binded with a key shortcut. Xfce, i3wm, and KDE Plasma Desktop are probably your best bets out of the 20 options considered. Jun 6, 2020 · Want to experience Arch Linux without the hassle of the complicated installation and setup? Here are a few user-friendly Arch-based Linux distributions. I believe it's because there's no desktop environment installed. Desktop Environment I recently installed Arch and I am confused between different DE I have familiarity with Gnome. 2, LMDE 5, Ubuntu 22. I know DWM, i3 and XFCE are mostly the top three due to how customizable they are Artix Linux is very close to Arch Linux, more than Manjaro, but still offers the comfort of the Calamares graphical installer and doesn't use systemd. If you're looking for performance, simplicity, elegance, whatever, run different desktops on your hardware and see what works best for you. For example, you can install the GNOME desktop environment on Arch Linux if you prefer its user interface. ) I am just wondering what's the best Window Manager or Desktop that would be super customizable and good for the whole "ricing" style. Aesthetic: I want a modern, aesthetic, and customizable experience right out of the box. I've heard that VNC is one of the worst ways (performance-wise) to remotely control a desktop that streams videos. " and Cinnamon is gnome 3 derived, both are also very traditional desktop experiences with a lot of customization. Dec 18, 2023 · Linux Mint has established itself as one of the best distros for beginner Linux users, thanks to Cinnamon’s simplicity (Linux Mint’s desktop environment) and ease of use. Dec 23, 2024 · Here are the best Linux desktop environments to enhance your user experience for customization, efficiency, and aesthetics, optimizing your Linux journey. My main questions are: Is there a noticeable difference between desktop environments (DEs) for gaming? Which DE works best with NVIDIA—like GNOME, KDE, Budgie, or Cinnamon? Also . I've gotten pretty comfortable using Linux, and want to really make my computer, well, mine. However I find that I can never get Kwin to play well with my NVIDIA GPU. This is the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL, WSL2, WSLg) Subreddit where you can get help installing, running or using the Linux on Windows features in Windows 10. I think I wanna wait on KDE 6 for new build but I don't know how to decide. 260K subscribers in the archlinux community. I'm on Linux for about 4 months now and still learning how things work. Even though I don't want a desktop environment, I would like to at least browse the web and make the UI look just a tad bit better, because Arch by itself looks pretty bare-bones. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. It includes a window manager, file manager, desktop widgets, and other I'm currently using arch on both my host (i3) and guest (KDE) machines. How would someone who has zero previous experience with Linux rank them Apr 30, 2016 · Trying out each and every desktop environment is a very time-consuming and tiring task. I need to run zoom and other apps in my guest machine (I need the GUI). Feb 24, 2025 · KDE Plasma, Gnome, and Cinnamon are all very well rounded, fully featured desktop environments with nice animations. I have been having a blast just because of how much customization there is out there, since you basically get to choose what you want for your system. This command effectively launches the XFCE4 session, allowing you to use Linux desktop applications on your Windows machine through WSL2. Feb 13, 2025 · I have a gaming setup with a Ryzen 7 5700X3D, an RTX 4070, and 32 GB of RAM. Could you suggest me the most performant way to remotely control a machine that's running zoom and firefox? Thanks. I too was on manjaro, with KDE as a desktop environment, and I lost my usb with the install on it so decided to go straight into arch. 04 LTS, I bought Linux (R) compatible WiFi adapter, because old one had problems. LXQt was born between the collaboration of the RazorQT desktop and the LXDE team. I usually use arch for all my… We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 10 kernel. A desktop environment bundles together a variety of components to provide common graphical user interface elements such as icons, toolbars, wallpapers, and desktop widgets. After turning on the system it goes to a terminal for login. Jan 4, 2024 · We'll compare a few of the most popular Arch desktop environments to help you decide. Apr 21, 2025 · Explore the top 5 Linux Distros with the COSMIC Desktop Environment in 2025: Pop!_OS, Fedora, Arch, CachyOS, NixOS. But I've also read that it's best to use vanilla arch. Feb 14, 2019 · I repeatedly insist that Linux makes your PC feel personal again, but the level of customization and pure creative beauty on display here left my jaw lingering on the floor. 13 votes, 41 comments. Read manifacturers manual about supported parts and inspect their Linux (R) coverage. This is why you get a hodgepodge of responses to this question. in terms of looks and aesthetics i found kde plasma and cinamon desktop environments quite similer. I'm easily wanting to switch to Linux for gaming because Windows 11 is full of issues and it is the most nagging operating system that I ever used. Of all Arch-based distros, Manjaro provides the most Desktop-User friendly tools. Hi everyone, I've recently baked an installation guide for arch linux explained in a compact and easy way. Gnome is simple and clean but not very customizable (unless you use extensions which break your system after update). Best Desktop Environment for a Macos look? Hi there. Any suggestions? Which Desktop Environment do you use on Arch? Just tried KDE but couldn't get the app manager to work. This page is powered by a knowledgeable community that helps you make an informed decision. I am able to do basic work on it. Something visually appealing What is the best desktop environment for an ex Mac os user ? Arch is notorious for being tricky due to it's high level of customisability but SteamOS is built on it so that's a good option long term. Hey, Arch users, whats a lightweight desktop environment on arch I just want a desktop environment that can take up as little space as possible Gnome and KDE aren't distros, friend - they're Desktop Environments. What Desktop Environment is best for Low End Hardware? KDE / GNOME / XFCE It will be running in an Oracle VirtualBox with 4GB RAM and 2 Processors. I'm okay with needing to tweak the desktop environment if it doesn't have it as a default. There is no best, however I recommend ArcoLinux, particularly if you like to reverse engineer more than build up. I heard so much about gnome, arch, mint, etc. The project became somewhat abandoned, but in recent years some guys from Arch Linux decided to take care of it. My wife's laptop runs Debian Stable with XFCE, and it's also got good touchscreen support, even though it's on the older 5. redditmedia. A subreddit for the Arch Linux user community for support and useful news. I feel like a lot of people talking about using "less mouse" / "lightweight" are missing what I conider to be the fundamental benefit of a tiling window manager: being freed from making micro adjustments to windows. Now we need to decide what desktop we will install Some of tutorials are just about installing a desktop. If you're more advanced you could try Wayland compositors like Hyprland but be prepared to spend hours to days just configuring it. 1 kernel), and it's got good touchscreen support. "Rock solid stability" is the primary reason people pick Xfce over the competition. cinamon themed edition 2. Aug 30, 2023 · Customized Arch Linux with GNOME Linux, the open-source, powerful OS, provides a variety of desktop environments that offer a refreshing look to your device while contributing to its efficacy and Hi! I just installed Arch Linux and I wanna get a "Mac-Like" desktop (I've never used Mac os, but I love the style) and I'm wondering if there's any desktop that resembles it? I know about pantheon and Deepin and while I love those, I need that menu bar at the top too, it just looks good. i'm thinking of migrate to linux but that are so many linuxs. Questions/Help The CPU can influence which desktop works best as a slower CPU will work a little better with lighter desktops. But at the same time, they all lack something that will make you scratch your head. Is there anything that can combine both eye candy and speed? The Windows-esque taskbar-oriented design jives far better with a system that has a "super" key/a desktop without "being in an app. As you see my computer is not the best. As I said, LXDE creator didn't liked GTK3, so they started to experiment with Qt, the other toolkit used in Linux, by remaking LXDE but with Qt. Hello everyone, I recently made my firsts attempts at using Linux. When I switched to Linux, I installed Debian with several DEs (desktop environments), and began fiddling with each one to see which I liked best. fbj dwttxf outtdf bxx vrjvgxh fwbgu cjwb btpighd iflqw oszho