Ubuntu 12.04 – How to Completely Remove / Uninstall Xubuntu Core Desktop

richardsplanet — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:06:27 +0000

These instructions are for Ubuntu 12.04 running the Unity desktop on which the Lubuntu Core Desktop was installed using either the Ubuntu Software Center or sudo apt-get on the command line.

The instructions may be the same for other versions of Ubuntu, but no guarantee is made.

When the Xubuntu Core Desktop is installed in Ubuntu 12.04, it installs several packages and libraries it requires as well as some optional packages. Not all these packages and libraries are uninstalled when you uninstall Xubuntu Core Desktop. Several packages (like thunar) do not get uninstalled.

Quick Uninstall

This is not recommended because it will remove all packages normally installed with Xubuntu Core Desktop. This may include packages you previously installed (such as thunar) or that were installed as dependencies for other packages.

Note: this uninstall command assumes Xubuntu Core Desktop was installed on a fresh Ubuntu 12.04.

1) Open a terminal (instructions can be found here).

2) Enter the following command (it is very long and a single line):

sudo apt-get remove --auto-remove --purge desktop-base exo-utils fonts-droid gtk2-engines-xfce libexo-1-0 libexo-common libexo-helpers libgarcon-1-0 libgarcon-common libglade2-0 libjpeg-progs libjpeg-turbo-progs libkeybinder0 libthunarx-2-0 libtumbler-1-0 liburi-perl libxfce4ui-1-0 libxfce4util-bin libxfce4util-common libxfce4util4 libxfconf-0-2 lightdm-gtk-greeter miscfiles orage plymouth-theme-xubuntu-logo plymouth-theme-xubuntu-text shimmer-themes tango-icon-theme thunar thunar-data thunar-volman ttf-droid tumbler tumbler-common xfce-keyboard-shortcuts xfce4 xfce4-appfinder xfce4-mixer xfce4-notifyd xfce4-panel xfce4-session xfce4-settings xfce4-utils xfce4-volumed xfconf xfdesktop4 xfdesktop4-data xfwm4 xscreensaver xscreensaver-data xubuntu-artwork xubuntu-default-settings xubuntu-icon-theme xubuntu-wallpapers

It is easiest to copy the line and paste it into the terminal (right-click on the terminal and select Paste from the popup menu).

Preferred Uninstall

The better way to uninstall it is to follow the directions on this page.

This will show you on how to uninstall only the packages that were installed when Xubuntu Core Desktop was installed. The instructions are generic and work for any installed package.

It involves:

identifying which packages were installed and
creating a command to uninstall only those packages

It leaves intact any packages you may have installed (like thunar) or that were installed as dependencies for other programs instead of blindly assuming that they were installed along with Xubuntu Core Desktop.

Note: if Xubuntu Core Desktop was installed using the Ubuntu Software Center then there will be 3 separate installation entries you will need to find (since it was a 3 step process).

The post Ubuntu 12.04 – How to Completely Remove / Uninstall Xubuntu Core Desktop appeared first on Complete, Concrete, Concise.

Ubuntu 12.04 – Installing the Xubuntu Core Desktop

richardsplanet — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:10:02 +0000

These instructions are for installing the Xubuntu Core Desktop in Ubuntu 12.04 running the Unity Desktop.

Installation instructions may be the same or similar for other versions of Ubuntu or for other Linux distros, but no guarantee is made.

Installing Xubuntu Core Desktop installs only the GUI part of Xubuntu Desktop without all the extra applications that are part of the Xubuntu Desktop package (the only extra application it installs is the Thunar file manager)

The Xubuntu Desktop is a custom configured version of the Xfce Desktop.

Xfce is smaller than Xubuntu Core Desktop. Installation instructions can be found here.

An article listing alternative desktops for Ubuntu 12.04 can be found here.

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then Xubuntu Desktop is an alternative desktop.

Xubuntu Core Desktop will install 111 MB of files and data to your hard disk.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

What it Looks Like

The basic, straight-out-of-the-box, look of the desktop is:

Compared to the Xubuntu Desktop, there are some minor differences.

Installing From the Command Line

If you are comfortable with Linux and know how to use the command line and apt-get then the command is:

sudo apt-get install xfce4 xubuntu-artwork xubuntu-default-settings

Detailed instructions for accessing a command line can be found here.

Afterwards, restart your system. It should be enough to just log out and the log back in with the new desktop, but it doesn’t hurt to restart.

Installing From the Ubuntu Software Center

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

This requires you to install 3 separate packages, so a few more steps are required than usual.

1) Launch the Ubuntu Software Center by clicking the icon on the Launcher:

The following steps will install Xfce.

2) Enter xfce4 into the search field. This will bring up related entries.

3) Click on the entry Meta-package for the Xfce Lightweight Desktop Environment – this will highlight it in orange:

4) Click on Install:

5) Enter your password and click Authenticate:

The following steps will install the Xubuntu artwork (backgrounds, colours, etc).

6) After installation is finished, enter xubuntu-artwork into the Ubuntu Software Center search field. This will bring up related entries:

7) Click on the entry Xubuntu themes and artwork – this will highlight it in orange:

8) Click on Install:

You should not be asked to enter a password again, but if you are, then enter it and press Authenticate

The following steps will install the settings necessary for Xfce to look like Xubuntu.

9) After installation is finished, enter xubuntu-default-settings into the Ubuntu Software Center search field. This will bring up related entries:

10) Click on the entry Default settings for the Xubuntu desktop – this will highlight it in orange:

11) Click on Install:

You should not be asked to enter a password again, but if you are, then enter it and press Authenticate

12) After installation is finished, click on the System icon in the upper right corner of the desktop and select Shut Down… from the drop down menu:

Note: it may be enough to just log out and log back in using the new desktop, but it doesn’t hurt to restart either.

13) Click on Restart:

Selecting the Desktop

After the system has restarted, it is necessary to select the new desktop from the login screen.

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your desktop for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them.

14) Click the icon in the top right of the Login box:

15) Select Xubuntu Session:

Xubuntu is a customized version of Xfce. This is why an Xfce session appears as well.

If you select Xfce Session then you will get the standard Xfce desktop.

16) Login:

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to a different icon. Some, not all, desktop environments will present an icon there.

If an icon is present, this provides a quick way to see which desktop environment you are logging into.

The post Ubuntu 12.04 – Installing the Xubuntu Core Desktop appeared first on Complete, Concrete, Concise.

xubuntu core desktop Archives - Complete, Concrete, Concise