A desktop environment (DE) is the graphical interface you use to work with the system: panels, menus, window manager, file manager and settings. You can choose your Parrot Linux desktop environment: the system is not tied to a single one. The tools and the configuration of the system are the same whichever desktop you use.
The default: KDE Plasma
KDE Plasma is the standard desktop in the current Home, Security and Hack The Box editions. It became the default with the 7.0 release; earlier releases used MATE. Plasma is the most configurable of the options and is comfortable with 4 GB of RAM; see the system requirements.
Installing another Parrot Linux desktop environment
Other desktops can be installed next to KDE Plasma from the Parrot repository. The package names follow the pattern parrot-desktop-<name>:
| Desktop | Command | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| MATE | sudo apt install parrot-desktop-mate | Older or low-memory hardware; the classic Parrot look |
| XFCE | sudo apt install parrot-desktop-xfce | A light, simple desktop |
| GNOME | sudo apt install parrot-desktop-gnome | Users who prefer the GNOME workflow |
Update the package lists first with sudo apt update.
Switching between desktops
Restart after the installation. On the login screen, use the session selector next to your username to pick the desktop for that session. You can keep several desktops installed and change between them at each login.
Ready-made images with another desktop
Recent releases also publish spins with a different desktop preinstalled, so you do not have to switch after installing. The download guide explains what is available. For accessibility settings on each desktop see assistive technology.