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Easy way to try out a bunch of different DEs?

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PotatoPotato@lemmy.world
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linux@lemmy.ml
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I’m planning on moving (back) to Linux from Windows, but I’m not sure which desktop environment I want to use. What’s the easiest way to try them all out? Just do a bunch of dnf/apt installs? Is there a distro or project out there that makes this easier?

Looking to try out kde, gnome, budgie, cinnamon, xfce, others

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pastermil@sh.itjust.works
5 points

Usually when you have multiple DEs installed, the login manager would let you choose.

Just need to make sure the autologin don’t get in the way of your choice (e.g. select it thru autologin or disable it completely).

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Wangus@startrek.websiteB
9 points

Why not install a live disc type image to USB and try out different varieties? Linux Mint offers three live images with Cinnamon, MATE, and XFCE.

I quickly found this article on installing them to USB: https://itsfoss.com/linux-mint-live-usb/

Many popular distributions offer live images so you can try before installation.

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atzanteol@sh.itjust.works
6 points
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Not sure about others but in PopOS (and I assume Ubuntu) it’s pretty simple. Probably easy with most distros.

apt install gnome-desktop
apt install kde-standard
apt install xubuntu-desktop
apt install cinnamon-desktop-environment
apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies
etc.
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BCsven@lemmy.ca
18 points

VMs are a way, but Live USB sticks are better because you will see how it actually runs on your bare metal machine, and if there see any hardware quirks, without comitting to an install

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navordar@lemmy.ml
38 points

Ventoy is a godsend in that case. If you have a big enough USB stick, you can just put all distros you wanna try on it

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furzegulo1312@lemmy.dbzer0.com
8 points

yeah, i also wholeheartedly recommend ventoy

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Padook@feddit.nl
5 points

I take any chance I can to drop a Chris Barnett link:

Ventoy

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PipedLinkBot@feddit.rocksB
2 points

Here is an alternative Piped link(s):

Ventoy

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I’m open-source; check me out at GitHub.

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000@fuck.markets
2 points

I just upgraded mine to a 512gb flash drive after blowing out a 256gb… maybe I have too many distros

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Vilian@lemmy.ca
8 points

NixOS or fedora ostree

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