Install KDE Linux

Currently the Testing edition is available, showcasing the latest and greatest in-development versions of KDE’s Plasma desktop environment and apps.

Expect frequent changes and regressions, and use it in a production environment at your own risk!

Other editions suitable for the general public are in progress.

Requirements

KDE Linux supports almost all PC desktops and laptops with:

  • UEFI firmware (this includes most sold in the last 15 years)
  • An AMD or Intel CPU
  • 1 GB of memory (more will make the system faster)
  • 6 GB of storage space (more than 12 will allow for system rollbacks)

Read through the list of limitations and known issues here and make sure there are no deal-breakers for you.

Ultimately the best way to determine compatibility is to create a live USB drive of KDE Linux and preview it on your own computer, with no risk to what’s already on it. Let’s do that now!

1. Create a live USB drive

  1. Download the latest .raw image from here.
  2. Verify that the .raw file is genuine by following the instructions here.
  3. Install ISO Image Writer and launch it.
  4. Click “Path to ISO Image…” and locate the .raw file you downloaded.
  5. Plug in the USB flash drive and ensure it appears in the “To this USB Drive” area.
  6. Click “Create”.

2. Prepare the target computer

Ensure that Secure Boot is disabled. If it isn’t, or you don’t know whether it is or not, enter the computer’s UEFI interface and disable it. Here's how:

  1. First, consult the table here and find the correct keyboard key under the “BIOS/UEFI Key” column for your brand of computer.
  2. To enter the UEFI interface, reboot the computer and repeatedly press that key while it starts up.
  3. Once you’re in the UEFI interface (you’ll know because it looks very ugly), find where it lets you turn off Secure Boot and turn it off. This is different for every UEFI implementation, so you may need to dig around a bit.
  4. Once you’ve turned off Secure Boot, find the “Exit and save changes” option, and use it.

This requirement will go away in the future once KDE Linux supports Secure Boot.

3. Boot into the live USB drive

  1. Plug in the USB drive.
  2. Consult the table here and note down the keyboard key under the “Boot Menu Key” column for your brand of computer.
  3. Reboot the computer and repeatedly press that key while it starts up.
  4. When the boot menu appears, use the Up or Down arrow keys to select the entry that looks like it describes your USB flash drive, and then press Enter.

4. Explore the live session and install KDE Linux

Now you’re in the “Live Session” of KDE Linux! This lets you see what it will be like if you choose to install it. Go through the welcome wizard and then poke around to make sure everything you care about works. Plug in your typically-used devices and make sure they function properly.

Once you’re ready to install, double-click on the “Install KDE Linux” icon on the desktop and go through the installer.

WARNING: if you choose to erase the computer’s hard disk, all of the files and data on it will be erased too. Make sure anything you care about is backed up somewhere!

5. Enjoy KDE Linux

We hope you love it!

Article contributed by , and under the CC-BY-4.0 license.