I've been exploring Linux and its flexibility, especially the variety of desktop environments (DEs) and window managers (WMs) available. Can someone guide me on how to switch between different DEs and WMs without affecting my current setup or data?
Switching between desktop environments and window managers is relatively straightforward, but it requires careful installation and selection:
Installation: Use your distribution’s package manager to install new DEs or WMs. For Ubuntu or Debian-based distributions, the command would be like sudo apt install your_desktop_environment_here, and for Fedora, it would be sudo dnf install your_desktop_environment_here.
Selection: After installing, log out of your current session. At the login screen, look for a gear icon or menu that allows you to select from the installed environments. Choose the one you want to try and proceed to log in.
Consideration: Each DE/WM comes with its own set of configurations and possibly applications. Switching between them doesn’t affect personal data, but it might change system settings related to the desktop appearance and behavior. To avoid confusion, some users prefer sticking to applications that are desktop environment-agnostic.
Recommendation: If you frequently switch environments, consider setting up separate user accounts for each. This can help keep configurations and settings distinct, reducing potential conflicts.
Uninstallation: If you decide to remove a DE or WM, use your package manager to uninstall it. Be cautious, as this might remove shared dependencies, affecting other environments.
To switch between DEs and WMs, you typically select the desired environment from your login screen. Most display managers like LightDM, GDM, or SDDM offer a menu to choose from installed environments before logging in. Just install the DEs or WMs you want to try and they should appear in this menu.
It’s all about installing the ones you're interested in. For instance, sudo apt install gnome-shell for GNOME, or sudo apt install i3 for i3 WM on Debian-based systems. After installation, restart your computer and you'll see the option to select them at the login screen. Remember, each environment may have its own set of applications and settings.
Another way to experiment with different environments is by using virtual machines. This method ensures your main setup remains untouched. You can install various DEs and WMs on separate VMs and switch between them by simply starting the respective VM. This is a great way to learn without risking your primary environment.
Don’t forget that some window managers and desktop environments might not be fully compatible with each other or with certain applications. It’s a good idea to read up on any known issues or compatibility concerns before making a switch. The Arch Wiki is a great resource for this, even if you’re not using Arch Linux.
For advanced users, you can manually start different window managers from the terminal using startx followed by the command to run the WM, like startx /usr/bin/i3. This requires a bit of configuration in your .xinitrc file, so it’s not recommended for beginners. But it gives you total control over which environment you use in a session.
Thanks, everyone, for the detailed responses! Script Guru really provided a comprehensive guide on how to manage the switch, including some best practices I hadn't considered, like using separate user accounts for different environments. I'm excited to start exploring different DEs and WMs with much more confidence now. Also, the tip about backing up data is a crucial reminder. Appreciate the help!