How to install/remove MATE Desktop Environment in Kali Linux

MATE is a fork of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems.

MATE is under active development to add support for new technologies while preserving a traditional desktop experience. See the Roadmap or Stefano’s presentation at the OpenSUSE conference to find out more about how MATE has evolved and what is planned for the future. The MATE Manifesto outlines some of the principles that guide the project.

GNOME 3 replaced the classic desktop metaphor; this concept design is realized through its native user interface: GNOME Shell. It led to some criticism from the Linux community. Many users refused to accept the new interface design of GNOME and called for someone to continue development of GNOME 2. The MATE project was started by an Arch Linux user in order to fulfill this task.

How to install MATE Desktop Environment in Kali Linux

At first we add the correct Debian repo and install the Keyrings.

echo "deb http://repo.mate-desktop.org/debian wheezy main" >> /etc/apt/sources.list && apt-get update
apt-get --yes --quiet --allow-unauthenticated install mate-archive-keyring

The above two commands used to do the trick, but as Debian removed Wheezy support, the above command didn’t work any more. Use the following solution provided by Simon (thanks Simon).

Simon P. provided the fix below. Snipped IP/email details for obvious reasons. Simon’s G+ profile is linked.

Author : Simon Parsons

Fantastic guide! I’ve been using this as an install reference since it was published with perfect results. Just one thing with regard to the MATE Desktop install; the mentioned repo: “deb http://repo.mate-desktop.org/debian wheezy main” has recently stopped working. Is it (& “deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/debian wheezy main” no longer supported due to the upcoming Debian support in Wheezy?). The repo: “deb http://http.debian.net/debian wheezy-backports main” seems to do the trick now & offered many new updates & features for my Kali installation… Thanks for the brilliant Kali page; really appreciate the work & time you’ve put into it :) SP

So, you need to just use his new repo and everything else is exactly same as before .

echo "deb http://http.debian.net/debian wheezy-backports main" >> /etc/apt/sources.list && apt-get update
apt-get --yes --quiet --allow-unauthenticated install mate-archive-keyring

Install base MATE Desktop Packages

Following command installs the base packages

apt-get install kali-defaults kali-root-login desktop-base mate-core

(or) Install MATE Desktop Packages with extras

Following command installs mate-core and more extras

apt-get install kali-defaults kali-root-login desktop-base mate-desktop-environment

(or) Install MATE Desktop Packages with even more extras

Following command installs mate-core + mate-desktop-environment and even more extras.

apt-get install kali-defaults kali-root-login desktop-base mate-desktop-environment-extra

How to remove MATE Desktop Environment in Kali Linux

In case you want to remove MATE Desktop, use the following command:

apt-get remove mate-core

Now the only problem is MATE doesn’t show the nice Kali Linux Menu.

How to Fix Kali Linux Menu in MATE Desktop

To fix Kali Linux Menu in MATE Desktop, edit the following file.

leafpad /etc/xdg/menus/mate-applications.menu

In the file go down to the section named Internet and add the following line:

<!-- Kali Linux Menu -->
<MergeFile type="path">applications-merged/kali-applications.menu</MergeFile>

So it should look something like this

.....
 <!-- Internet -->
 <Menu>
 <Name>Internet</Name>
 <Directory>mate-network.directory</Directory>
 <Include>
 <And>
 <Category>Network</Category>
 </And>
 </Include>
 </Menu>  <!-- End Internet -->
 <!-- Kali Linux  -->
 <MergeFile type="path">applications-merged/kali-applications.menu</MergeFile>
 .....

Now save the file, Logout and Login back. The “Kali Linux” menu should display fine in Mate desktop’s application menu.

Back to main article: How to install/remove different Desktop Environment or Window Manager in Kali Linux 1.x

Thanks for reading.