How to Install XFCE on Debian 12, 11 or 10

Debian users often seek a desktop environment that is lightweight, fast, and highly customizable. The XFCE desktop environment is an excellent alternative to more resource-intensive environments. Here are key reasons to consider installing XFCE on your Debian system:

• Lightweight Performance: XFCE uses minimal system resources, making it perfect for older hardware or systems where performance is a priority.
• Customizability: Offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor their desktop to their preferences.
• User-Friendly Interface: Provides an intuitive and straightforward interface that is easy to navigate, even for beginners.
• Stability and Reliability: Known for its stability, XFCE ensures a smooth and crash-free experience.
• Active Community and Support: Strong community support and regular updates keep the environment secure and up-to-date.

These features make XFCE a compelling choice for Debian users who value efficiency and simplicity.

Transitioning to the technical aspects, let’s install XFCE on your Debian 12, 11, or 10 system step-by-step. This guide will walk you through the commands and configurations needed to get XFCE running smoothly.

Updating Debian Linux Packages Before XFCE Installation

Ensure that your system is up-to-date before installing any new packages. This helps maintain your system’s security and stability and ensures the new installations are compatible with your existing packages.

To update your Debian operating system, run the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

The apt update command retrieves the latest information about packages from all configured sources, while the apt upgrade subsequently updates all currently installed packages to the latest versions.

Installing XFCE via Task APT Command

Now that your system is up-to-date, you can initiate the installation of XFCE. We will use the

sudo apt install task-xfce-desktop

Due to its lightweight nature, XFCE installation is generally quicker than its counterparts. During this process, you will encounter a configuration screen for the LightDM display manager. It’s worth noting that XFCE is designed to run efficiently with LightDM. If XFCE is going to be your default desktop environment, ensure that you select LightDM in this step.

Use the TAB key to navigate the interface, select <Ok>, then press the ENTER key to confirm your selection.

Upon completion of the installation, you will need to restart your system to apply the changes. This can be achieved by executing the following command in your terminal:

sudo reboot

This command will initiate a system reboot, after which your new XFCE desktop environment will be ready. Remember that the appearance of XFCE may vary depending on the specific version of Debian you are using.

Troubleshooting Blue Screen:

If you encounter a situation where you see a blue screen only during the installation, you may need to run the following command:

sudo apt install xorgxrdp

This should fix the issue; this should only be run if you encounter such an issue during the Xfce installation.

Log in to the XFCE Desktop Environment

Arrival at the Login Screen

After rebooting, your system will lead you to the login screen. This is the gateway to your system where user authentication takes place. However, do not log in immediately to fully utilize the recently installed XFCE desktop.

Confirm Desktop Environment Verification

Before logging in, you must confirm the desktop environment in which your system will load. You can do this by clicking on the configuration icon at the top-right corner of the login screen.

Clicking this icon will display a list of available desktop sessions. From this list, you can select the desired desktop environment for your forthcoming session.

Selecting the XFCE Session

From the list of available sessions, choose “Xfce Session” instead of the default “Default Xsession.” The “Xfce Session” option will direct your system to start the XFCE desktop environment upon login, thus allowing you to experience the lightweight and customizable features that XFCE offers.

This procedure ensures that you log into the correct environment and are all set to leverage the features of XFCE. Remember, this selection is not permanent; you can switch between different desktop sessions from the login screen anytime you reboot your system.

Additional Commands For XFCE

Updating XFCE Desktop Packages

Keeping your software updated is crucial in maintaining a secure and well-performing system. The XFCE desktop environment is no exception. To update XFCE and its default APT packages, you can use the familiar apt update and apt upgrade commands.

To refresh your list of packages:

sudo apt update

If updates are available, execute the following command to upgrade your packages:

sudo apt upgrade

The apt upgrade command fetches and installs new versions of the packages currently installed on your system, keeping your XFCE environment up-to-date.

Switching Default Display Managers with XFCE

XFCE primarily uses LightDM as its display manager. However, you may wish to switch back to GDM3 to use GNOME or try a different desktop environment. The display manager can be reconfigured using the following command:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm

Upon executing this command, you’ll see a prompt where you can choose your preferred display manager. Remember to reboot your system when switching between desktop environments for the changes to take effect.

Remove XFCE

In certain situations, you may decide to uninstall XFCE. You might want to try a different desktop environment or revert to your previous setup. The command to purge XFCE and its associated files is:

sudo apt autoremove '^xfce' task-xfce-desktop --purge

This command will remove XFCE and any related files, returning your desktop environment to its prior state.

If you want to reinstall the GNOME Desktop Environment post-removal, you may need to refresh your package list and reinstall the gnome, gdm3, and task-gnome-desktop packages:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install gnome gdm3 task-gnome-desktop --reinstall

Before rebooting your system, make sure GDM is enabled. If you forget this, you might boot into a terminal or server-like login. If this happens, you can bring back your GNOME Desktop login by running:

sudo systemctl enable gdm --now

Finally, to ensure all changes have been effectively applied, reboot your system:

sudo reboot

This command will restart your system, implementing all your changes.

Final Thoughts

Implementing the XFCE desktop environment in your Debian system offers a streamlined, efficient workflow. As a lightweight alternative to GNOME, it improves performance on systems with limited resources without sacrificing functionality or customizability. We’ve covered installation, login procedures, managing updates, switching display managers, and removal.

XFCE’s user-friendly interface suits both novices and experienced users, showcasing the flexibility of the Linux ecosystem. The choice of desktop environment is in your hands, making it easy to switch as your needs evolve.