Install GUI on Ubuntu |Transform Your Ubuntu Server into a Desktop

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Ubuntu Server is built primarily for servers, so it doesn’t include a fancy GUI (graphical user interface) by default. The reason is servers value performance and aesthetics and GUIs are resource-intensive. But the good news is you can install a GUI on your Ubuntu server. For most server tasks, you may not need a GUI, but for some tools, they can be necessary. For example, some software can be managed easier with a GUI. In this guide, we show you how to install GUI on Ubuntu with a step-by-step guide. It's like giving your server a fresh appearance and feel, comparable to what you'd find on a conventional Ubuntu desktop PC.

Benefits of Installing a GUI on Ubuntu Server

Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Text-based interfaces or command lines that servers use are useful but for some personal projects, a GUI can be more efficient. The key benefits of having a GUI on an Ubuntu server include:

Easy container management: GUIs greatly simplify the deployment and management of software containers such as Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
Light choices: Many Ubuntu Server GUIs are meant to be lightweight, with minimal use of resources, making them acceptable for non-production situations.
Cloud integration: A GUI can make integration with cloud systems easier, allowing for faster scaling of server resources.
Better hardware compatibility: When interfacing with hardware, GUIs can give a more user-friendly experience, particularly for amateur projects.

When to Consider a GUI?

If you don’t know exactly whether you need to install GUI on Ubuntu or not, here we tell you. Consider a GUI for:

Personal projects: Are you using the Ubuntu server for personal tasks? For example, a home media server? So, we recommend using GUI because it can make management more sensational.
Visual feedback: Some tasks benefit from visual feedback like video or audio streaming. For these tasks, use a GUI to provide a clearer understanding.

How to install GUI on Ubuntu?

Now, let's get to the core of the matter - how to install a GUI on Ubuntu Server. Before starting the steps, let’s see what prerequisites are needed:

Prerequisites

An Ubuntu Server running Linux.
A user account with sudo or root privileges.
The apt package manager (installed by default on Ubuntu).

Step 1: Update Repositories and Packages

Before installing a GUI, ensure your server software is up to date.

Refresh the repository and package lists, then upgrade any necessary packages with this command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

When prompted, press `Y` and hit Enter to begin the upgrade.

Step 2: Install and Set Up a Display Manager

A display manager handles user logins and launches the desktop. For a lightweight option, use SLiM or LightDM instead of the default GDM3, which is more resource-intensive.

To install SLiM, type:

sudo apt install slim

Confirm the installation by pressing `Y` and hitting Enter.

Note: To install LightDM instead, use:

sudo apt install lightdm

Step 3: Install a GUI Desktop Environment

Once the display manager is set up, proceed to install a GUI. Below are commands for installing popular desktop environments:

Ubuntu Desktop (GNOME)

Install the default Ubuntu Desktop with this command:

sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop

Reboot the system after installation with:

sudo reboot

Note: To start SLiM without rebooting, use:

sudo service slim start

GNOME (Vanilla Version)

For the pure GNOME experience, run:

sudo apt install vanilla-gnome-desktop vanilla-gnome-default-settings

KDE Plasma

Install KDE Plasma with:

sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop

Reboot the system and log in to access the KDE environment.

XFCE

Install the lightweight XFCE desktop environment:

sudo apt-get install xfce4-session xfce4-goodies

Reboot to access XFCE.

MATE

Install MATE, a resource-efficient desktop environment:

sudo apt install ubuntu-mate-desktop

LXDE

For a very lightweight interface, install LXDE:

sudo apt install lxde

Step 4: Switching Between GUIs

If you’ve installed multiple desktop environments, you can switch between them from the display manager. In SLiM, press `F1` to toggle between installed environments, with the name of the selected environment displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Done! Now you can use a graphical interface on your Ubuntu server.

How to Remove the GUI and Display Manager on Ubuntu

To revert back to the command-line interface and remove the GUI and display manager from your Ubuntu server, follow these steps:

Open the terminal and use the following command to remove the display manager and desktop environment:

sudo apt remove [display-manager] [desktop-environment]

For example, to remove SLiM and LXDE, use:

sudo apt remove slim lxde

Reboot the system to apply the changes:

sudo reboot

After rebooting, clean up unnecessary dependencies by running:

sudo apt autoremove

Now, you have successfully removed the GUI. You can return the system to a command-line interface.

What is the Best GUI for Ubuntu server?

There are different GUIs for Ubuntu server and when it comes to choosing, the best one depends on your needs. For any use case, we prepared a list of the best GUI for Ubuntu server each has its pros. You can take a quick look at them in the following table. Continue reading for more detailed information.

GUI	Best For	Features	Resource Usage
GNOME	Stability and a robust set of features	Stable, feature-rich, widely supported	High (resource-heavy)
KDE Plasma	Customization and balance between functionality and efficiency	Highly customizable, visually appealing	Lightweight
MATE	Simple, fast, and resource-friendly environment	Simple interface, efficient, stable	Very low
Xfce	Servers with limited resources, prioritizing performance over graphical appeal	Lightweight, user-friendly, stable	Extremely low

1- GNOME

One of the best GUI for Ubuntu server is GNOME. It is the default desktop for Ubuntu and one of the most popular ways to use Linux. It's dependable, simple to use, and works well with programs designed for it. However, it requires a bit more computer power, thus it may not be the ideal option for less-powered servers.

Key Features:

Very stable
Regular updates
Active community
Extensive app support
Mobile touch-friendly
Great design (but limited customizability)
Higher resource consumption

2- KDE Plasma

KDE Plasma is focused on allowing you to customize its appearance and functionality. You can modify almost anything about it! It's lightweight, looks excellent, and feels familiar if you're used to Windows. Also, it never needs a lot of computer power, making it suitable for servers that are not extremely powerful.

Key Features:

Highly customizable
Lightweight and fast
Easy to use
Active community support
Powerful apps
Visually appealing

3- MATE

MATE is a lightweight desktop environment that’s based on the older GNOME 2. It’s even more resource-efficient than KDE Plasma, making it an excellent choice for Ubuntu Server. It provides a familiar, Windows-like design and is ideal for servers with limited hardware, ensuring smooth performance without taxing system resources.

Key Features:

Extremely resource-efficient
Intuitive design
Time-tested and stable
Ideal for budget machines
Full set of applications

4- Xfce

A best GUI for Ubuntu server is Xfce. It is one of the lightest desktop environments available, making it perfect for servers with limited resources or VPS setups. It prioritizes stability and performance over modern graphics, which may not appeal to everyone. However, if you're running a server and need to conserve system resources for important tasks, Xfce is a top choice.

Key Features:

Very lightweight
Stable and user-friendly
Offers plugins and applications
Attractive design despite simpler graphics
Excellent for resource-limited servers

How to Choose the Best Ubuntu Server GUI?

When choosing the best GUI for Ubuntu server, you need to consider these factors:

Task Requirements

The tasks your server performs should guide your choice of GUI. For example:

If you’re hosting a website or running a database, look for a GUI optimized for that purpose.
For remote server management, choose a GUI with strong remote management capabilities.
If you're unsure of your server's specific tasks, a general-purpose GUI can be a good starting point.

Experience Level

Your familiarity with Linux servers is another critical consideration:

Beginners might benefit from a user-friendly GUI that simplifies server management.
Experienced users may prefer more advanced interfaces that offer greater control over server settings.

Language Support

If you need a GUI that supports multiple languages, ensure the one you choose accommodates your language(s) of choice. Some GUIs offer broader language support than others.

Ease of Use and Features

Depending on your preferences:

Opt for a GUI that balances simplicity with the features you need.
If you require a lightweight GUI to conserve server resources, prioritize resource-efficient environments.

Compatibility

Ensure the GUI is compatible with your version of Ubuntu. Not all desktop environments work seamlessly with every Ubuntu version, so verify this before making a choice.

Final words

Working with the command line is easy for some people, but not for those who are more familiar with traditional operating systems. For that kind of people, it is possible to install GUI on Ubuntu server. In this case, they have more flexibility to work with different tools and options. In this guide, we were committed to help you install GUI on an Ubuntu server process which simplifies server management for you. Also, we identified the best GUI for Ubuntu server based on your specific needs. Now, you can easily switch between GUIs or remove them as needed. With this setup, you can customize your Ubuntu Server to create a more user-friendly and efficient workspace.

Category: Ubuntu