[[switching-desktop-environments-using-cli]]
= Switching desktop environments using CLI

.Before you start

Install the desired desktop environment as described in <<proc_installing-additional-desktop-enviroments.adoc#installing-desktop-environments,Installing additional desktop environments>>

Install the [package]`switchdesk` package:

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# dnf install switchdesk
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.Procedure

Pass the selected desktop environment as the only argument to the [command]`switchdesk` command, for example:

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# switchdesk kde
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.More information

See the `switchdesk(1)` man page.

Alternatively, edit the [filename]`/etc/sysconfig/desktop` file as *root*. This file specifies the desktop for new users and the display manager to run when entering runlevel 5.

Correct values are:

`DESKTOP="_<value>_"`, where `_<value>_` is one of the following:

1. `GNOME` — Selects the GNOME desktop environment.
2. `KDE` — Selects the KDE desktop environment.

`DISPLAYMANAGER="_<value>_"`, where `_<value>_` is one of the following:

1. `GNOME` — Selects the GNOME Display Manager.
2. `KDE` — Selects the KDE Display Manager.
3. `XDM` — Selects the X Display Manager.
