The Ubuntu default desktop uses the Gnome window manager, but there are a number of different window managers that can be installed, including KDE, Xfce and Fluxbox.

Installing Blackbox is a simple process. You will want to make sure that you have selected the alternate install repositories.

Open a terminal window and use the following command:

sudo apt-get install blackbox

Once the install is complete, log out and click on the Options button in the lower left hand corner:

You will see a menu listing all of the window managers installed on your system. Select Blackbox from the menu, and continue to log in.

The Blackbox desktop is extremely simple, and looks a lot like Fluxbox. Right clicking on the background will give you the menu:

Really simple stuff. For more information about Blackbox including configuration tips, check out the home page.

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Lowell is the founder and CEO of How-To Geek. He’s been running the show since creating the site back in 2006. Over the last decade, Lowell has personally written more than 1000 articles which have been viewed by over 250 million people. Prior to starting How-To Geek, Lowell spent 15 years working in IT doing consulting, cybersecurity, database management, and programming work.
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