How to Install KDE 4.3 on Ubuntu 9.04

After six months of development, the K Desktop Environment 4.3.0 was launched on August 4th, 2009. It fixes over 10,000 bugs and brings about 2,000 features. Among some of the most interesting ones in the KDE 4.3.0 desktop environment we can mention the new Arora web browser that will replace Konqueror, the beautiful Air theme, new eye-candy effects, a redesigned run dialog, lots of Plasma improvements, a new network manager, updated applications and many more. With this said, the KDE 4.3.0 is the most modern and beautiful desktop environment to date.

Today's tutorial is for those of you who don't want to wait until late October for the Kubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) release, which will come with a default KDE 4.3.0 installation, and it will teach you, step by step, how to install the brand-new KDE 4.3.0 desktop environment on your existing Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) installation.

Editor's note: To eliminate the "terminal madness" for Linux beginners, we've used apt-url links in this tutorial. So, just click the links where it says to install a software!

Step 1 - Add KDE 4.3 Repositories

Go to System -> Administration -> Software Sources...

...enter your password, and the Software Sources window will appear. Click on the second tab, "Third-Party Software," then click the "Add" button and paste the following code in the new window that will appear...

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-ppa/backports/ubuntu jaunty main

Then, click on the "Add Source" button...

Go to the third tab, "Updates," and check the "Unsupported updates (jaunty-backports)" option...

Right click HERE and choose the "Save Link As..." option, in order to save the key file on your desktop. Then, go to the fourth tab, "Authentication," click the "Import Key File" button, navigate to the location where you've just saved the key file (File System/home/YOURUSERNAME/Desktop) and double click it. You will immediately see a new entry called "8AC93F7A 2009-05-07 Launchpad Kubuntu Updates"...

Then click on the "Close" button of the main window. It will ask you if you want to reload the information about available software, so click the "Reload" button and wait for the Software Sources window to close...

Step 2 - Install KDE 4.3

All you need to do now is click the link below...

Click here to Install KDE 4.3

Then click the "Install" button to install the packages (enter your password if asked)...

Wait for the KDE 4.3 packages to be downloaded...

When the download is over, you will be prompted to choose a display manager (GDM or KDM). Click on the "Forward" button if you want to keep Ubuntu's login screen (GDM), or select the KDM entry from the drop-down list to install KDE4's login screen. We strongly suggest you choose GDM here...

The installation will start...

...when the installation is over, click the "Close" button and reboot the computer.

At the login screen, if you've chosen to keep Ubuntu's default login screen, go to Options -> Select Session menu...

...and select the KDE entry...

Input your username/password and voilà... KDE 4 fun on your Ubuntu desktop!

Editor's note: If you have autologin enabled, you will not be able to select the KDE session. So you need to logout and select KDE from "Options -> Select Session."

Optional Step 1 - Restoring the Original Ubuntu Bootsplash

The KDE 4.3 installation will overwrite your current Ubuntu boot splash theme. If you don't like the blue Kubuntu splash and you want to restore Ubuntu's, follow the instructions below...

Click here to Install StartUp-Manager

Then click the "Install" button to install the packages (enter your password if asked)...

When the download is over, the installation will start...

When the installation is over, click the "Close" button and go to System -> Administration -> StartUp-Manager...

...enter your password if asked, and wait for StartUp-Manager to start. Then, go to the second tab, "Appearance," and select the usplash-theme-ubuntu entry from the "Usplash theme" section...

Click the "Close" button and wait for the application to apply the new settings...

...and you're done! If you reboot, you'll notice that Ubuntu's boot splash is back.

Optional Step 2 - Restoring the Original Ubuntu Menu

The KDE 4.3 installation will mess up your current Ubuntu menu. What that means? Well, all the KDE applications will "invade" your GNOME menu. If you don't like this and you want to restore Ubuntu's menu, follow the instructions below...

1. Click HERE to download Gnome Menu Extended. Get the "Ubuntu DEB ALL" file! 2. Save the file on your desktop. 3. Double click the file and install it (input your password when asked).

That's it! All the KDE applications will be stored in a single entry in the GNOME menu...

You can do the same thing on KDE, for the GNOME applications, if you download the K Menu Gnome software!

If you encounter any issues with the tutorial, do not hesitate to use our commenting system below.

How to Install KDE 4.3 on Ubuntu 9.04

Step-by-step tutorial with screenshots

Optional Step 1 - Restoring the Original Ubuntu Bootsplash

Optional Step 2 - Restoring the Original Ubuntu Menu