Install Xfce on Ubuntu 20.04: Step-by-Step Guide

The objective of this guide is to install Xfce / Xubuntu desktop as an alternative desktop environment on Ubuntu 20.04 focal fossa Desktop/Server Linux.

{loadposition ubuntu-20-04-download}

In this tutorial you will learn:

Xfce / Xubuntu desktop on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux

Vanilla Xfce desktop version on Ubuntu 20.04

Software Requirements and Conventions Used

Software Requirements and Linux Command Line Conventions
Category	Requirements, Conventions or Software Version Used
System	Installed or upgraded Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa
Software	tasksel
Other	Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the `sudo` command.
Conventions	# – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of `sudo` command $ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

We will be using the tasksel command to install Xfce / Xubuntu desktop. In case the tasksel command is not available on your system you can install it by:
```
$ sudo apt install tasksel
```

Execute the following command to begin the Xubuntu desktop installation:
```
$ sudo tasksel install xubuntu-desktop
OR
$ sudo tasksel install xubuntu-core
```
The above commands will install the Ubuntu version of the Xfce desktop environment. If you need a vanilla version of Xfce desktop environment then execute the bellow command and select the lightdm display manager during the installation:
```
$ sudo apt install xfce4
```
Xfce / Xubuntu desktop installation command on Ubuntu 20.04

Wait for tasksel to complete the Xfce / Xubuntu desktop installation
lightdm configuration information

Use TAB to select lightdm and hit ok button
Reboot your Ubuntu 20.04 system:

Reboot your Ubuntu 20.04 system

Select Desktop session as Xubuntu Session:

Open Desktop session selection menu, select Xubuntu sessions or Xfce session, enter password and login