Linux @lemmy.ml Bicyclejohn @lemmy.ml 1y ago

How do I switch desktop on Debian?

I need to switch from KDE to xfce without losing my files, any advice?

15 comments

I have 5+ DEs on my pop_os install, you don't lose files in your users home.
- May I ask why you have 5+ DEs installed? And also, isn’t that quite the mess with all the dotfiles?
  
  We don't talk about their 5+ desktop environments just like we don't talk about my fourteen Windows VMs...
  
  for testing, and no, no issues at all with the various dot files.
  
  Cluttered app menus, and an occasional "default open with app" setting changed is about the only issues.
  
  Is the dotfile overhead of a DE substantially more than any other program? Is there a particular conflict that you're thinking of?
  
  For a multiuser system it can be great to have multiple DEs or WMs.
why do you think you are going to loose your files if change desktop?
- OP is most likely new to Linux and is used to the intertwining of the GUI and OS like they are in OS X and Windows.
- Presumably they equate changing desktops with "reinstalling".
  
  Dangerous asumption: one man, one finger, one second...and you will have a disaster.
I mean people already answered your question, but I want to know why you want to leave kde plasma? It was the best I have found (after gnome, but in gnome I can't change shit)
Do you mean files on your computer or open on the kde desktop? If they are open and you cannot save them for some reason and wanna jump to another DE you can do that by starting another x-server on a new vt, then you can jump to it with the ctrl+alt+F#-keys. I don't remember the commands to do this, though.

15 comments