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https://github.com/coonrad/debian-xfce4-minimal-install

Debian minimal Xfce desktop installation guide.
https://github.com/coonrad/debian-xfce4-minimal-install

debian guide install minimal xfce4

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Debian minimal Xfce desktop installation guide.

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README 

        
![debian-xfce.jpg](debian-xfce.jpg)



## Debian Xfce4 Minimal Install Guide



The standard Debian installation process for Xfce desktop includes additional packages that may not be necessary for many users. This guide will allow you to install a minimal Xfce desktop, adding additional packages as needed.



## Requirements



* A debian installation (hardware or virtual machine) with appropriate video drivers.



* sudo privileges to install packages and run optional install script.



* Installation of `git` to clone this repo `sudo pkg install git`



* Installation of `bash` to run install script `sudo pkg install bash`



## ISO for Installing Debian



* [debian-12.4.0-amd64-netinst.iso](https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/amd64/iso-cd/debian-12.4.0-amd64-netinst.iso)



* [Installing Debian 12](https://www.debian.org/releases/bookworm/debian-installer/)



* [Debian “bookworm” Release Information](https://www.debian.org/releases/bookworm/)



## Installing Debian without a desktop environment



As you progress through the debian installation, towards the end you will be presented with the following screen for Software selection:



![debian-installer.jpg](debian12-installer.jpg)



Uncheck **Debian desktop environment** to install a minimal debian system.



## Update sources to testing or unstable (optional)



Update sources to `trixie`. The current testing branch.



`sudo nano /etc/apt/sources`:



```bash

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ trixie main

#deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian/ trixie main



deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security trixie-security main

#deb-src http://security.debian.org/debian-security trixie-security main



deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ trixie-updates main

#deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian/ trixie-updates main

```



Add `contrib non-free-firmware` after each `main` entry if you need special drivers or additional firmware.



The other option would be debian sid. Update `sources` as follows:



```bash

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ unstable main

#deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian/ unstable main

```



Upgrade your system:



```bash

sudo apt update && apt upgrade

```



Reboot to load updated kernel and services.



## Quick install Xfce and required packages



```bash

git clone https://github.com/coonrad/Debian-Xfce4-Minimal-Install.git

cd Debian-Xfce4-Minimal-Install

sudo ./xfce-install.sh

```



## Manually install Xfce and required packages



If you've read this far, and you're getting impatient:



```bash

sudo apt install xfce4

```



This will give you a basic Xfce desktop with lightdm greeter. For additional plugins and ''goodies', add:



```bash

sudo apt install xfce4-goodies

```



This still may include too much 'stuff' for the minimalists among us. In that case, strip it down further and start with:



```bash

apt install \

    libxfce4ui-utils \

    thunar \

    xfce4-appfinder \

    xfce4-panel \

    xfce4-session \

    xfce4-settings \

    xfce4-terminal \

    xfconf \

    xfdesktop4 \

    xfwm4

```



From this point you should have a working Xfce desktop environment. You can reboot, and add only what you need going forward. If you plan to start xfce4 without lightdm, you may need to install xinit.



```bash

sudo apt install xinit

```



## Additional packages and configuration



Add a browser, password manager, document viewer, image viewer and office apps:



```bash

sudo apt install firefox-esr keepassxc atril ristretto libreoffice-gtk3 \

libreoffice-calc libreoffice-writer

```



Add NetworkManager and openvpn:



```bash

sudo apt install network-manager-openvpn network-manager-gnome \

network-manager-openvpn-gnome

```



Add a few nice icon themes to choose from:



```bash

sudo apt install paper-icon-theme moka-icon-theme papirus-icon-theme

```



Keep the default Adwaita theme as scientists have proven it is the best theme. Xfce comes with Lightdm for the display manager. It sources `.xessionrc` on login. Here are a few useful additions:



```bash

# source the system profile

# if [ -f /etc/profile ]; then

#     . /etc/profile

# fi



# QT5 qt5ct

export QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME=qt5ct



# QT5 scaling

# Uncomment for hidpi display

# export QT_AUTO_SCREEN_SCALE_FACTOR=1

# export QT_SCREEN_SCALE_FACTORS=2

```



Install `qt5ct` and `adwaita-qt` to have your QT apps match the default GTK theme.



```bash

sudo apt install qt5ct adwaita-qt

```



Launch `qt5ct` and configure the theme and fonts.