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Table of Contents
Proxmox - Guests (VMs and Containers) - Install a GUI
Most containers are server only, and do not come with a GUI.
To have a GUI installed, try the following.
- Ubuntu default desktop: sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop
- Gnome 3 installation: sudo apt-get install gnome-shell
- KDE see Kubuntu installation: sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop
- XFCE installation: sudo apt-get install xfce4.
- LXDE installation: sudo apt-get install lxde
- Openbox installation: sudo apt-get install openbox
- Gnome Classic (old) a Gnome 3 desktop that looks like Gnome 2 installation: sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback
- Ubuntu Gnome (Official flavor) installation: sudo apt install ubuntu-gnome-desktop
Against Ubuntu 20.04 Container
apt-get update apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
NOTE: After a reboot, this should get a graphical login prompt.
For a minimal install
apt install --no-install-recommends ubuntu-desktop
NOTE: To have a very basic GUI.
- The –no-install-recommends will exclude major software and tools such as libreoffice, firefox , thunderbird etc.
Other Options
A more functional minimal desktop environment
sudo apt install xorg sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lightdm-gtk-greeter sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lightdm sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lxde-icon-theme sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lxde-core sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lxde-common sudo apt install --no-install-recommends policykit-1 lxpolkit sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lxsession-logout sudo apt install --no-install-recommends gvfs-backends
NOTE:
- lxde-icon-theme is needed for basic icons (there are alternatives).
- lxde-core and lxde-common will install the basic lxde components.
- policykit-1 and lxpolkit are needed to run pkexec.
- lxsession-logout is needed so that the logout menu works.
- gvfs-backends is needed if you want trash, network, devices etc. support at pcmanfm.
A full lightweight desktop environment
sudo apt install xorg
Then choose one of these:
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lubuntu-core
OR
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends xubuntu-core
OR
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends ubuntu-mate-core
NOTE: Each of these metapackages is based on lxde.
- xfce and mate desktop respectively including dependencies such as alsa, lightdm etc. and with many more packages such as themes, configurations etc.
A full lightweight desktop environment without minding the recommendations
Choose one of these:
sudo apt install lubuntu-core
OR
sudo apt install xubuntu-core
OR
sudo apt install ubuntu-mate-core
NOTE: Almost the same as the previous options (including full xorg installation) but with many more packages such as bluetooth, printers, scanner support, different themes and fonts, basic gnome tools etc.
A full desktop with all the extras (better choose another option)
Choose one of these:
sudo apt install lubuntu-desktop
OR
sudo apt install xubuntu-desktop
OR
sudo apt install ubuntu-mate-desktop
OR
sudo apt install ubuntu-gnome-desktop
OR
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop
OR
sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop
NOTE: This will install everything that the live cd of each Ubuntu flavor installs.
- This means even the media players or whatever they find useful for their flavor.
Add a non-root user
Many systems do not recommend or allow root login.
They also require that the user has a home directory.
add user peter
add user peter sudo
NOTE: The sudo at the end adds the user, peter, to the sudo group.