Customizing KDE's Plasma desktop
Beyond Wallpaper
© Lead Image © sergwsq, 123RF.com
The KDE Plasma desktop has so many configuration options, it scares some users away. But if you're patient enough to learn the secrets, you'll find some useful tricks for customizing the Plasma user environment.
Some desktop environments are little more than launchers for applications. By contrast, KDE Plasma takes the perspective that customizing the desktop can reduce the number of mouse clicks and make resources easier to find. The result is a desktop on which almost everything can be customized, but new users might have trouble deciding where to start. In fact, many users never get beyond the basics. Once they have right-clicked on the desktop and selected a wallpaper from Default Desktops (Figure 1), they are satisfied. The more adventurous might select System Settings | Workspace Appearance to select a theme or add icons to the Desktop directory within the Dolphin file manager, but, based on their experience with other desktops, many users see little need for anything more.
Figure 1: Even wallpaper configuration in Plasma offers a wide array of choices.
However, the Desktop and Workspace Appearance settings are only the most basic possibilities. Clicking the desktop toolkit – a rectangle on one side of the desktop, or a semi-circle in a corner – holds the key to many more options (Figure 2).
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.