Kubuntu
Kubuntu is an official Ubuntu flavor featuring the KDE Plasma desktop environment. It combines Ubuntu’s stable system foundation with KDE’s powerful customization capabilities, delivering a modern, visually appealing, and feature-rich desktop experience.
Key Features
- KDE Plasma Desktop: A highly customizable modern desktop environment with rich visual effects
- KDE Application Ecosystem: Dolphin file manager, Konsole terminal, Kate editor, and many other high-quality apps
- Discover Software Center: Graphical installation of deb, Flatpak, and Snap packages
- KDE Connect: Seamless integration with Android phones for file transfer, notification sync, and remote control
- Multiple Virtual Desktops: Desktop grid and Activities support for efficient workspace management
System Requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 2 GHz | Quad-core 2.5 GHz |
| RAM | 2 GB | 4 GB or more |
| Storage | 25 GB | 50 GB or more |
| GPU | OpenGL 2.0 support | OpenGL 3.0 support |
Installation
Option 1: ISO Image Installation
Visit the Kubuntu website to download the 26.04 LTS ISO image. Create a bootable USB drive using Ventoy or balenaEtcher and install.
Option 2: Install on Existing Ubuntu
If you already have Ubuntu installed, you can add the Kubuntu desktop directly:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kubuntu-desktopAfter installation, log out and select the Plasma session at the login screen.
For a clean Kubuntu experience, a fresh ISO installation is recommended to avoid configuration conflicts from running multiple desktop environments.
KDE Plasma Customization
KDE Plasma offers one of the highest levels of desktop customization on Linux.
Appearance Settings
In System Settings -> Appearance you can adjust:
- Global Theme: One-click switching between complete visual styles, including dark and light themes
- Plasma Style: Customize panel and widget appearance
- Window Decorations: Customize title bar button layout and style
- Icon Theme: Change the system icon pack
- Cursor Theme: Customize the mouse pointer style
Desktop Widgets
Right-click the desktop to add various widgets:
- System monitors (CPU, memory, network)
- Weather forecast
- Sticky notes
- Media playback controller
- Quick launch bar
KWin Window Management
KDE’s window manager KWin supports:
- Desktop Effects: Window animations, blur transparency, magic lamp effect, and more
- Window Tiling: Snap windows to screen regions using keyboard shortcuts
- Window Rules: Set default window size and position for specific applications
Discover Software Center
Discover is KDE’s graphical software management tool, supporting:
- Browse and search applications from repositories
- Install Flatpak apps (enable Flathub first)
- Manage Snap packages
- System update notifications and one-click upgrades
- Install Plasma add-ons (themes, widgets, etc.)
# Enable the Flathub repository
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoDefault Applications
| Category | Application |
|---|---|
| File Manager | Dolphin |
| Terminal | Konsole |
| Text Editor | Kate |
| Browser | Firefox |
| Thunderbird | |
| Music | Elisa |
| Video | Haruna (mpv-based) |
| Image Viewer | Gwenview |
| Screenshot | Spectacle |
| System Monitor | KSysGuard / Plasma System Monitor |
Who Is It For
- Users who enjoy highly customizing desktop appearance and behavior
- Users who want a modern, visually appealing UI
- Windows migrants who prefer a traditional desktop layout
- Users who need KDE Connect for phone integration
- Users who want a comprehensive productivity desktop environment
Kubuntu shares the same software repositories and update cycle as Ubuntu. The difference lies primarily in the desktop environment and default applications — the underlying system is identical.