How to Install GNOME Desktop On Arch Linux

Arch Linux gives you full control over what’s installed on your system. If you want a modern, polished desktop environment, GNOME is a popular choice. In this guide, I’ll walk you through installing GNOME on Arch Linux from the command line.

1. Update Your System

Before installing anything, make sure your package database and system are up-to-date:

sudo pacman -Syu

If the kernel or core libraries update, it’s a good idea to reboot:

sudo reboot

2. Install Xorg (If You Don’t Have It Yet)

GNOME needs a display server. Arch uses Xorg by default. If you haven’t installed it yet:

sudo pacman -S xorg

3. Install GNOME Packages

The easiest way is to install the gnome group package:

sudo pacman -S gnome

This will install GNOME Shell, core apps, and necessary libraries.

If you want all optional GNOME applications (games, utilities, etc.), you can also install:

sudo pacman -S gnome-extra

4. Enable the Display Manager

GNOME uses GDM (GNOME Display Manager) for login. Install and enable it:

sudo systemctl enable gdm
sudo systemctl start gdm

Once you start GDM, you should see the GNOME login screen.

5. Optional: Enable NetworkManager

If you haven’t set up networking yet, GNOME works best with NetworkManager:

sudo pacman -S networkmanager
sudo systemctl enable NetworkManager
sudo systemctl start NetworkManager

6. Enjoy GNOME on Arch

After rebooting, you’ll land in the GNOME login screen. Log in, and you’ll have a clean, modern desktop ready to customize.

Tips

• Extensions: Install GNOME Tweaks (sudo pacman -S gnome-tweaks) to adjust themes, fonts, and extensions.
• Wayland vs Xorg: GNOME defaults to Wayland, but you can switch to Xorg from the login screen.
• Lightweight alternative: If GNOME feels too heavy, try KDE Plasma, XFCE, or LXQt.

Final Note:
This method keeps things simple, but Arch being Arch, you can mix and match components as you like. GNOME is just one of many desktop environments available.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!