Install Deepin Desktop Environment (UbuntuDDE) on POP OS

In this tutorial, we learn the steps to install popular Deepin Dekstop- DEE on POP_OS 20.04 LTS or 21.04 Linux using the command terminal.

Deepin is one of the most beautiful Linux distro based on the Debian operating system. However, there are many people who refrain themselves from using either because of its origin or slow repository. Hence, one of the best ways to experience its beauty is by installing the Deepin Desktop GUI on our existing POP_OS operating systems.

Moreover, installing a new operating system is also cumbersome if you have already have set up applications you required on it. In such as scenario, installing an extra GUI apart from the default one will be a good idea.

POP_OS comes with a popular Gnome desktop environment, however being a Linux distro, users are free to install any popular Linux GUI with few commands such as Cinnamon, XFCE, etc. However, unlike other GUI, the Deepin Linux desktop is not available through the default base repository of POPOS. Therefore, to get it we have to add a repo manually. And the best way is to use the package repo made available by UbuntuDDE, an Linux operating system based on Ubuntu and running with DDE.

How to install Deepin Desktop Environment (DDE) on POP!_OS

The command given here can also be used for other Ubuntu systems such as Ubuntu 20.04/18.04; Linux Mint, Elementary OS, MX Linux, and more…

1. Requirements

• You should have existing POP!_OS
• A non-root user with sudo access
• Internet connection
• 4GB RAM for good performance

 

2. Run update and install software properties package

To make sure all the packages are up to date on your system and to add PPA also install Software Properties to get packages from independent software vendor software sources.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

sudo apt install software-properties-common -y

 

2. Add Ubuntu DDE PPA

Well, as I said this desktop environment is not available to install via the official repository, hence we have to add the third-party PPA. Well, if you are using POP OS for some production work, then we don’t recommend going for the PPA. However, for standard user PC, you can add the given PPA using the command.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntudde-dev/stable

Press the Enter key when it asks for and after that run again the system update:

sudo apt update

 

3. Command to install Deepin Desktop on POP_OS

Once you have added the repository, the next thing is to run the APT package manager command for the installation of Deepin Desktop GUI on POP 20.04 or other versions you are using.

For a standard installation, run:

sudo apt install ubuntudde-dde

Whereas for full, use:

sudo apt install ubuntudde-dde ubuntudde-dde-extras

When it asks to set Display manager, select GDM3 for default POP OS login interface or  LightDM for Deepin Login interface.

 

4. Reboot your system

Once the installation is completed, reboot your system to apply the changes. You can restart either using the GUI interface of your computer or simply enter the following command

sudo reboot

 

5. Login Pop!_OS with Deepin Desktop

Now we have two desktops, one is the default Gnome and the other Deepin, hence we have to select which we want to use from the login interface. Click on the User and then the Gear icon, given on the right bottom side.

If you have selected LightDM then you will get something given in the screenshot as login interface; then click on the Deepin globe icon to select the GUI interface.

Note: Those who want to reconfigure the Display manager in the future can use:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm3

 

6. Deepin Interface on Pop_OS

 

Error: deepin-anything-dkms for Ubuntu 20.04 from the PPA fails to install with this newer kernel

In case after installation command, you get an error- deepin-anything-dkms failed because of the newer kernel then install the following Deb package.

Add a user:

sudo useradd deepin-anything-server

Go to this Launchpad page
Find the latest Download deepin-anything-dkms_5.x.x-1_all.deb
And install it with the command:

sudo apt install ./file-name

For example:

sudo apt install ./deepin-anything-dkms_5.0.1-7_all.deb

 

Uninstall or Remove Deepin Desktop from POP OS

To completely remove the Deepin interface from POP_OS, first, switch to gdm3 display manager.

sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm3

or

sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm

Select gdm3 instead lightdm

Reboot your system

sudo reboot

On the Login Interface click on the Gear icon and select Pop OS to login.

Open Command terminal and run:

sudo apt install ppa-purge

sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntudde-dev/stable

sudo apt purge deepin-anything-dkms

Note: Those who are getting an error in removing DDE, make sure you have used this command- sudo useradd deepin-anything-server

Other Articles:

• How to install Wine on Pop OS Linux distro
• How to install KDE Plasma & Cinnamon on Pop OS Linux
• How to Install Pop OS in Virtualbox Virtual Machine
• How to install Dash to Dock on Pop OS
• Command to Enable Minimize and Maximize Buttons on POPOS