Ubuntu lets you install KDE as an additional desktop environment eliminating the need of installing Kubuntu seperately. It is very easy to install and switch to KDE environment. This tutorial lets you know how.

There are two ways to install KDE on your ubuntu. The first is the GUI method and the other is CLI method using Terminal. I recommend you to go for the second method.

Installing KDE by GUI method:

1. Go to System -> Adminstration -> Synaptic Package Manager.
2. Search for “kubuntu-desktop” and from the results, mark it for the installation.
3. Read point 6. 7, 8 & 9 in CLI method.

If you do not get the kubuntu-desktop package in the result, try clicking on “Reload” button to download the latest package list to Sypatic. Still if it doesn’t work, go for CLI method.

Installing KDE by CLI method:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type in:

sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop

3. Confirm by pressing “y” to start the download.
4. This will now start downloading the required packages. Wait till it downloads completely.
5. After downloading the required packages, it will start installing the downloaded files.
6. During installation you will be prompted to select the default desktop manager you want to start automatically whenever you login to ubuntu. You can choose “gdm” for GNOME or “kdm” for KDE as default.
7. After selecting the desktop manager of your choice, the installation will continue and will complete soon.
8. Now you can logout and login to your account. If you have selected “kdm” as default desktop manager during installation, you will be directly taken to KDE. If not change the session to “KDE” before logging in from “Options” menu in login screen.
9. That’s all! Start using KDE.