How to Install Mate Desktop in Arch Linux
Abstract: the login screen below will be displayed. Mate Desktop Login Provide your password and hit ENTER. The MATE desktop environment will come into view and
MATE, pronounced as ‘matey’ is a lightweight, simple and intuitive desktop environment that can be installed on most Linux distributions to give that smooth and appealing look. It’s easily customizable and easy on resource consumption.
In this brief article, you will learn how to install the MATE desktop on Arch Linux distribution.
Installing MATE Desktop on Arch LinuxNow lets our hands dirty and install MATE desktop:
Step 1: Update Arch LinuxBefore anything else, first, ensure that you update the Arch Linux packages by running the command.
$ sudo pacman -SyuUpdate Arch Linux
I’ve used the latest version of Arch Linux ( version 2020.01.01) which is freshly installed. That’s why the system registers that no updates are available.
Step 2: Install the X Windows System on Arch LinuxXorg is a popular X windows system or display system that was designed for Unix / Linux systems to provide a graphical environment. To install Xorg on Arch Linux, run the command.
$ sudo pacman -S xorg xorg-serverInstall X Window on Arch Linux
When prompted, simply hit the ENTER button to install all the packages.
Step 3: Installing MATE Desktop Environment in Arch LinuxWith Xorg installed, we can then proceed to install the MATE desktop environment. Simply run the command below. This is going to take some time, and it would be a good time to unwind with a cup fo coffee.
$ sudo pacman -S mate mate-extraInstall Mate Desktop on Arch Linux
As seen earlier, when prompted, simply hit ENTER to install all the packages.
Step 4: Install LightDM Display Manager in Arch LinuxThe LightDM display manager handles the graphical login for a user in the system with login credentials. To install lightDM run the command.
$ sudo pacman -S lightdmInstall LightDM in Arch Linux
Next, let’s install greeter, a utility that provides a GUI login screen.
$ sudo pacman -S lightdm-gtk-greeterInstall LightDM Greeter in Arch Linux
Enable the lightDM service to start on boot.
$ sudo systemctl enable lightdm
Finally, reboot your ArchLinux system.
$ sudo rebootStep 5: Booting Into the MATE Desktop in Arch Linux
Upon rebooting, the login screen below will be displayed.
Mate Desktop LoginProvide your password and hit ENTER. The MATE desktop environment will come into view and as you will discover it’s quite minimalistic and easy to use.
Running Mate Desktop in Arch LinuxTo get more information about the MATE desktop environment, click on the ‘Places’ tab and select ‘About MATE’ option.
About Mate DesktopYou will get the version and a brief history of the MATE desktop environment.
About Mate Desktop Version InfoWe have finally succeeded in installing the MATE desktop environment on Arch Linux. Feel free to customize your desktop and install more software utilities to enhance your user experience. That’s all for now.