How to Install Xfce on Debian 10

Endrit Qerreti

Endrit Qerreti

In this tutorial you will learn how to install xfce desktop environment on debian 10. Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment that uses very low resources to deliver a fast and stable user experience.  Xfce is a great choice when it comes to choosing a desktop environment to use not only for work but also as a daily driver.

Step 1  - Update your server

Run the command below to update your server

sudo apt-get update

Step 2 - Install tasksel package

tasksel is a utility that you can use to install packages on debian, it provides a user interface and makes the managing of packages an easier job.

Install tasksel

sudo apt install tasksel

Step 3 - Install xfce

Install Xfce using Terminal

Next, you need to install the xfce desktop enviornment, simply run the command below to start the installation.

sudo apt install task-xfce-desktop

Install Xfce Using tasksel

You can also use tasksel and install Xfce by using the user interface of tasksel, all you need to do is run tasksel on console and choose Xfce from the list of the packages and click ok as show on the image below

tasksel

Once you have selected the desktop environment(Xfce) and confirmed with OK button, the installation will start

Give it some time to complete, once completed move to step #3

Step 3 - Set graphical target

Set the graphical target so when the server boots up you can select your desktop environment, in this case xfce, run the command below

sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target

Step 4 - Reboot Server

Once you have installed tasksel and the desktop environment, proceed to reboot the server

reboot

Step 5 - Select Xfce Session

To make sure you are logging into xfce session, on the login screen click the key icon on the taskbar which is located upper right

And select Xfce Session as show in the image above

Conclusion

In this tutorial we explained how to install xfce desktop environment on Debian 10 by using terminal and tasksel.