Install XFCE 4.10 (A Lightweight Desktop) in Ubuntu and Linux Mint

Xfce is a free lightweight, fast and easy to use software desktop environment for Unix/Linux like operating systems. It is designed for productivity and aims to be fast and low on system resources. Unlike GNOME and KDE desktops which are heavier, but Xfce uses fewer system resources. Furthermore, it offers better modularity and less dependencies to install and takes less time and low disk space on your hard drive.

Recently, the Xfce development team announced the release of Xfce 4.10 desktop environment and made available for download.

Xfce 4.10 Desktop Screenshots Xfce Desktop Xfce File Manager Xfce Application Finder

This guide show you how to install latest stable Xfce 4.10 desktop environment version in Ubuntu 13.04/12.10/12.04 and Linux Mint 15/14/13.

Xfce 4.10 Features

Window Manager: Controls the arrangement of windows on the screen, provides window decorations and controls workspaces.

Xfce Window Manager

Desktop Manager: Provides root window menu, desktop icons, adds background image and a window list.

Xfce Desktop Manager

Panel: Options to switch between opened windows and workspaces, launch applications and menu plugins to explore applications and files.

Panel

Session Manager: Allows you to control logins and store multiple logins sessions of the desktop.

Session Manager

Application Finder: Give you a list of installed applications for better finding and launching them.

Application Finder

File Manager: Support for better file management and unique tools like bulk renamer.

File Manager

Setting Manager: Enables you to manage and control various desktop settings such as appearance, keyboard shortcuts, display settings, etc.

Settings Manager

To know more details about xfce 4.10, visit at the official Xfce 4.10 tour, and the detailed changelog page.

Installing Xfce 4.10 Desktop

To install XFCE desktop environment, open terminal by pressing 「Ctrl+Alt+T」 from the desktop and run the following commands in a Terminal.

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xubuntu-dev/xfce-4.10
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install xfce4

If you want to install complete Xfce desktop, then use the following command

$ sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

If you already running, want to upgrade it to latest version, issue following commands.

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xubuntu-dev/xfce-4.10
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade