Since 1996, XFCE Desktop gives users the ability to have a graphical user interface (GUI) environment, visually turning your Linux server into an environment more like your desktop computer. With its no-frills look, XFCE does not weigh heavy on the server’s hardware and is faster than GNOME and KDE to boot. Once completed with this small tutorial, you’ll be able to share and connect to the XFCE GUI by continuing to the next tutorial on How To Install VNC.
Pre-flight
- These instructions are intended for installing Xfce Desktop Environment on an Ubuntu 16.04 LTS server.
- Logged in as a root user, but for non-root users precede all commands with the word sudo.
Installation of Xfce
Step 1: Update apt-get
With best practices in mind, we will update before proceeding to install XFCE 4
apt-get update
Step 2: Install XFCE4 Desktop Environment
With one command we can install Xfce itself and some useful utilities that come with Xfce:
apt-get install -y xfce4 xfce4-goodies
Deletion of Xfce
Step 1:
Run each of these commands so that apt-get can utilize them during the purge of Xfce.
apt-get -f install
apt-get clean
apt-get autoclean
apt-get update
Step 2:
Purge Xfce from your Ubuntu server:
apt-get purge xfce4
As mentioned in our opening paragraph the next step is to configure VNC (virtual network computing) Installing VNC is necessary to open the recently installed Xfce interface. It’s optional but advisable to set up an SSH tunnel that connects to VNC for a secure connection. Check out our Knowledge Base on the subject of VNC to find your choice of articles.
Related Articles:

About the Author: Echo Diaz
Throughout Echo's four year stint as a technical support specialist, her passion for breaking down complex concepts had to lead to a career in professional writing. As a former top tier support specialist, she added a distinctive element to her written work that spoke to customer feedback and concerns. Echo occasionally pops her head out from behind her computer to watch her dog energetically run around the yard and unabashedly shovels money into buying tickets to see her favorite musical artists.
Our Sales and Support teams are available 24 hours by phone or e-mail to assist.
Latest Articles
2024 cPanel and Plesk pricing breakdown
Read ArticleCentOS Linux 7 EOL — everything you need to know
Read ArticleHow to install Node.js on Linux (AlmaLinux)
Read ArticleUpgrading or installing PHP on Ubuntu — PHP 7.2 and Ubuntu 22.04
Read ArticleWhy is your IP blocked?
Read Article