A default Ubuntu 13.04 installation comes with the unity graphical user interface. As with many things unity is not your only option for a graphical user interface. There are several other desktop environments available for Ubuntu 13.04 that you can download and install for use. This tutorial will show you how to install the Xfce desktop environment on Ubuntu 13.04 also known as Xubuntu.
Xfce is a lighter desktop environment than either GNOME or KDE and therefore requires less memory and CPU power. Xfce has a reputation of running great on older hardware due to it requiring less specs to run efficiently. Xfce is also considered modular which means you can add and remove pieces to fully customize the user experience with certain programs. This is one of the biggest advantages of using Xfce. This does not mean that Xfce is as flashy as either KDE or GNOME because it is not.
This tutorial will show you two methods to install the Xfce desktop environment alongside unity. The first method is to go to the Ubuntu software center and install the “xubuntu-desktop” package as shown below.
The second method is to go to the terminal and run the following command.
sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop
Once the xubuntu-desktop package has been installed you will need to go to the top right corner and log off. Once you have logged out you will be taken to the Ubuntu login screen in which you will click on the Ubuntu logo as shown below.
In this menu, you will select “Xubuntu Session” as shown in the screenshot below.
You will then be able to login using your user password. When you login you will be taken to the Xfce desktop environment as shown in the screenshot below.
Congratulations, you are now able to boot into the Unity desktop environment and the Xfce desktop environment. If you have any questions or comments don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. Also, if you found this tutorial helpful please like and share so that other people will find this tutorial more easily.