The following steps will install the Cinnamon Desktop Environment on AlmaLinux 9. Cinnamon is available in the Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository.
Prerequisites:
- You can operate the AlmaLinux 9 system smoothly.
- You either get sudo privileges or can log in as the root user.
- Your system has internet connectivity to access the repositories.
Steps:
1 Enable the EPEL Repository: The Cinnamon packages are located in the EPEL repository. If you haven’t already enabled it, you need to do so. Open your terminal and run the following command:
sudo dnf install epel-release -y
This command will download and install the EPEL release package, which configures your system to access the EPEL repository.
2 Enable the Powertools Repository: Some dependencies for Cinnamon might reside in the Powertools repository. Enable it using the following command:
sudo dnf config-manager -set-enabled powertools
3. Install the Cinnamon Desktop Environment: Now you can install the Cinnamon desktop environment and its related packages. Run the following command:
sudo dnf groupinstall “Cinnamon Desktop” “X Window System” -y
groupinstall is a DNF command to install a predefined group of packages.
“Cinnamon Desktop” is the package group that contains the core Cinnamon desktop environment.
“X Window System” is required as Cinnamon runs on top of X.Org.
-y automatically confirms all the package installations.
4. (Optional) Install Additional Cinnamon Extras: You might want to install additional Cinnamon applets, desklets, themes, and extensions.
You can do this with the following command:
sudo dnf install cinnamon-desktop-environment -y
This command installs a broader set of Cinnamon-related packages.
5. Set Cinnamon as the Default Desktop Environment (Optional but Recommended): To make Cinnamon the default desktop environment that loads when you log in, you can use the following command:
sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target
This help to boost the system into a graphical interface. While logged in, you will get a choice to select Cinnamon from the session options on the login screen.
6. Reboot Your System: Once installation is done, it is suggested to reboot or restart the system for the changes to actual effect.
sudo reboot
7. Log in to Cinnamon: After your system restarts, you will be presented with the login screen. Before entering your password, look for a gear icon or a session selection menu. Check Cinnamon on your desktop environment. Then, type the password and log-in details.
Troubleshooting:
- Repository Errors: If you encounter errors related to the repositories, ensure that your internet connection is working and that the EPEL and Powertools repositories are correctly enabled. You can try cleaning the DNF cache with sudo dnf clean all and then try the installation again.
- Dependency Issues: DNF should automatically handle dependencies. However, if you encounter issues, carefully read the error messages and try installing any missing dependencies manually.
- Login Issues: If you can’t log in to Cinnamon, you can try switching to a different TTY (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+F2) and logging in with your username and password. From there, you can try reinstalling Cinnamon or checking the system logs for errors.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install and use the Cinnamon Desktop Environment on your AlmaLinux 9 system.