Ubuntu might get the limelight quite a bit in Linux circles, but it surely has a number of cousins. One among them is Kubuntu Linux, and it has some distinctive qualities which may lead you to make it your main working system.

You probably have hassle maintaining with the names of all of the totally different Linux distributions on the market, you are forgiven. They quantity within the hundreds, and generally, their variations appear solely slight. Their names will be complicated too, like Kubuntu, which is distinct from Lubuntu and Xubuntu. In my expertise, these distros have much more than only one letter’s value of variations, although. So let’s discover what units Kubuntu aside and who ought to use it.

What Is Kubuntu?

Kubuntu is a free and open supply working system for desktop PCs and laptops that is primarily based on GNU/Linux. It is associated to the better-known Ubuntu operating system. The truth is, Kubuntu is basically Ubuntu however with a special coat of paint. It has a special desktop expertise and set of default functions, collectively often known as KDE Plasma. That is the place the “Ok” in Kubuntu’s title comes from.

As a little bit of background, Kubuntu was the primary of many Ubuntu variants. It took place within the mid-aughts when Ubuntu builders acknowledged a necessity to supply a number of numerous consumer experiences as an alternative of only one. Over time, sponsorship of Kubuntu as a undertaking shifted from Canonical to Blue Methods whereas nonetheless sustaining its authentic mission and continued collaboration with Canonical.

Whereas Ubuntu and Kubuntu each have the identical core, Ubuntu’s desktop version (versus the “headless” model utilized by server managers and tinkerers) comes with a desktop environment called GNOME. Talking for myself and plenty of others, not everybody likes the GNOME interface, even when they just like the Ubuntu base. You, I am positive, have your individual opinions on the format of your present PC’s desktop, and perhaps a want listing of adjustments for it. That is the place Kubuntu is available in, providing a acknowledged and secure base however with another interface.

What Makes Kubuntu Completely different?

Kubuntu is for individuals who desire a desktop computing expertise that is dependable and “simply works,” however that is additionally malleable sufficient to swimsuit anybody’s wants. Due to KDE Plasma, Kubuntu is highly effective sufficient for energy customers with none main changes, however with out the necessity (normally) to idiot with config information. Kubuntu makes this attainable by providing you with a ton of settings menus and dialogs, to some extent some individuals discover annoying.

That is in distinction to common Ubuntu, whose GNOME desktop comes with a much more minimalist settings supervisor. GNOME can be modified quite a bit, however not with out putting in further software program. Kubuntu additionally units itself aside with its default configuration of Plasma which people coming over from Home windows 10 will discover much more acquainted than GNOME. Extra on that later.

Take into accout, although, that KDE Plasma’s boons aren’t restricted to Kubuntu as a Linux distribution. Plasma is a highly regarded desktop atmosphere, with many widespread distros providing their very own Plasma editions. For instance, as an alternative of Kubuntu you may seize the Plasma Fedora spin or Manjaro Plasma, if that floats your boat. They’re going to provide the primarily the identical expertise Kubuntu does however with a special base.

Should you’re unsure why you’ll desire a totally different base, crucial factor to know is that Kubuntu’s base, Ubuntu, is slower than others to get updates. Ubuntu prioritizes stability, so non-security updates get held again and examined rigorously earlier than being handed to you. Meaning in the event you put two computer systems with Kubuntu and a extra bleeding-edge distro like Plasma Fedora subsequent to one another, they’d appear and feel largely the identical. Besides, you’d discover some small desktop redesigns and gadgetry on the Fedora laptop which are lacking from the Kubuntu one.

Putting in Kubuntu

To put in Kubuntu, you will first get an ISO image file from the Kubuntu download page. On the time of writing, you may select between Kubuntu 22.04 and Kubuntu 24.04, that are each LTS (Long-Term Support) releases, or Kubuntu 24.10. Should you’re unsure which to choose, I’d select the latest LTS launch, which on this case is model 24.04. You possibly can at all times come again for one more model if that one would not be just right for you.

After you have the ISO file, you may both make a bootable thumb drive with it, or you may load it right into a digital machine (VM) which is what I am doing for this demonstration.

After booting in, you have got the choice to both strive or set up Kubuntu. Should you’ve by no means used it earlier than, click on “Attempt Kubuntu” and see the way it feels. There shall be an “Set up Kubuntu” shortcut on the desktop for whenever you really feel able to make it everlasting.

The set up wizard is fairly self-explanatory. On the “Set up Mode” display screen, I like to recommend leaving “Regular Set up” chosen except you understand what you are doing. I additionally suggest checking the “Obtain and Set up Updates Following Set up” field. Your wait time shall be longer, however you will even have a totally purposeful working system from the get-go.

Within the “Partition” part, ensure that of two issues. First, double test you have got the right drive on the prime for Kubuntu to be put in on. Second, do not strive putting in Kubuntu alongside Home windows on the identical drive or manually partitioning except you understand what you are doing. Windows doesn’t get along with Linux, and partitioning is greatest left to the professionals. Erasing the disk is the best and most dependable setup.

With that stated, double test once more that the disk you are going to erase is the right one. You also needs to verify that you do not thoughts dropping all the information on it. Observe the remainder of the prompts after which wait.

What Operating Kubuntu Is Like

As I stated earlier, some individuals discover the Plasma desktop to be too busy, particularly in terms of the settings menus. A redeeming high quality of Kubuntu is that the default settings are sane and shall be acquainted for anybody used to the Home windows expertise. Likelihood is good you merely will not care to make any critical tweaks. Within the case you do, there’s numerous Kubuntu documentation that can assist you.

Once more, people coming over from Home windows 10 will really feel probably the most at dwelling within the default Kubuntu setup. There’s the taskbar on the backside of your display screen, with a “system tray” to the proper holding time and date data together with a number of indicators and widgets that can assist you handle your laptop and apps. To the left, alongside all your pinned and operating apps, is an app launcher button that mimics the Home windows Begin menu expertise.

Most of the similar keyboard shortcuts on Home windows work the identical method on Plasma. Hitting the Home windows key (known as the “Meta” key in Kubuntu) will open the app launcher, and Alt+Tab will allow you to swap between software home windows. Hitting Meta+L will lock your display screen, or you need to use Ctrl+Alt+Delete to get a menu for shutting down, restarting, or placing your PC to sleep.

There are a ton of options and widgets for productiveness in Kubuntu that you could discover and play with. I will not get into them right here, however I like to recommend wanting into a few of our favourite ways to make the most of KDE Plasma.

Kubuntu Has Its Personal App Ecosystem

KDE Plasma and Kubuntu itself are each a part of a wider assortment of associated and interconnected tasks known as the KDE Community. There are tons of functions, toolkits, and frameworks developed as a part of the undertaking. Kubuntu depends on these frameworks and comes with lots of these apps preinstalled as your default apps, similar to your calculator (KCalc), your notepad (KWrite), and your file browser (Dolphin).

There are additionally a ton of different, extra area of interest apps within the KDE assortment that you may want. They’re all accessible at no cost in Kubuntu’s software program supervisor “Uncover,” and so they embrace apps like Akregator the RSS reader, KMag the magnifying glass, and KMyMoney for managing funds. Take a protracted scroll on the complete KDE apps list for extra, together with a bunch of video games for whenever you’re bored.

That is simply KDE’s personal set of apps. You’ll find much more in Uncover. It contains widespread apps you most likely already use ,like Spotify, Slack, and VLC, plus a ton extra open supply apps you have got by no means heard of however are free to obtain.

Ought to You Use Kubuntu?

Based mostly on my expertise utilizing it each day for round eight months, I might say Kubuntu is for anybody in search of another working system to Home windows or macOS who needs a extremely versatile atmosphere to work in—with out the necessity to make edits to cryptic configuration information. It is supreme in the event you additionally do not care about having absolutely the newest model of each app and as an alternative desire stability above all else.

If you wish to give Kubuntu a strive, you have got a number of choices. Obtain the ISO from the official Kubuntu download page and you’ll set up it on a thumb drive and trial it on nearly any laptop earlier than fully installing the distro. Alternatively, you need to use the ISO to launch it as a virtual machine within your present working system using something like VirtualBox.

Should you occur to be available in the market for a brand new laptop, you too can merely purchase a Kubuntu laptop computer or mini PC from a retailer like Kubuntu Focus. I’ve reviewed Focus laptops earlier than and located them value giving a go.