How to install the KDE desktop environment in CentOS

CentOS by default uses GNOME as its desktop environment. But for KDE fans, they won’t have to turn away from this OS since switching to KDE is done using a few simple steps which I will show below. First open the Package Manager window under the Applications menu. Inside the Desktop Environments group check the box next to KDE (K desktop Environment). Once checked, click the Apply button.

It will prompt you a list of packages that it will install (KDE is a bunch of packages). Click continue to begin the downloading of packages.

Note: It will automatically resolve for dependencies – which I like as a user coming from UNIX platforms. In UNIX we needed to install patches in sequence otherwise it will mean a lot of trouble for users and admins.

It will then download the packages and could take a few minutes depending on your Internet connection speed:

Once installed you should see your desktop now using the KDE environment.

You can tweak the desktop to your preference. An example from KDE community is shown below using the latest KDE build with widgets and modified desktop theme and background:

For KDE fans like me, having it easily installed in CentOS or in any Linux distro is a must. Luckily, there is a user friendly way to do it in CentOS without having to enter a bunch of commands in the terminal.