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PayPalThe next big KDE Plasma release is here with Plasma 6.5 delivering a number of major new features, as the KDE team begin to show a lot more confidence. So much confidence in fact, the update page notes how they're "on the verge of making it big for the general public".
With this release you can set automatic theme transitions between light and dark based on the time of day, there's a better zoom tool that jumps into where you actually need it, and the KRunner search tool was also improved with a new fuzzy searching feature to help you out. Even the clipboard becomes more useful in this release, letting you pin items to keep referring back to them.
Fans of drawing tablets get some more additions too as you're now able to configure any rotary dials and touch rings in the system settings page. Along with a new warning if there's a custom driver interacting with it.
Pictured - KDE Plasma 6.5, Credit: KDE Team
Another evolution is the Flatpak Permission page, which has been upgraded into a proper general desktop Application Permissions page. Here you'll be able to configure everything properly across all your apps.
Usability has also been a constant focus with an improved WiFi and Networking page, along with making connection messages clearer and providing the WiFi password along with a QR code when you're sharing to help others connect. The do not disturb mode was improved too, giving you a button to actually see all missed notifications. An addition for gamers too - the Game Controller page was updated with more info.
The list of improvements goes on and on with more accessibility improvements too like the Orca screen reader getting improvements for describing actions and keyboard shortcuts, along with telling you when the Caps Lock changes state. Plasma has also been through an audit to fix up all known cases of screen-flashing that could cause photosensitivity issues.
Thankfully, more work also went into the Discover software app to make it launch faster, and give you more info on what's holding it up along with support for "flatpak+https://" URLS.
So much more! Improved HDR content display, an experimental version of the Wayland picture-in-picture protocol was added, there's performance improvements and lots more.
See more in the release post.
A few niggles aside, KDE Plasma is incredible as a desktop. It has long been my favourite and my go-to for Linux. Nicely bridging the gap between a mostly Windows-like setup but with lots of customization. I think KDE Plasma is still the absolute best way to get more Windows users to feel at home on Linux.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I think KDE Plasma is still the absolute best way to get more Windows users to feel at home on Linux.
I'd say that's selling it short. I'd been using Linux & Gnome for over a decade when KDE Plasma made me feel at home on Linux after Gnome stopped feeling like that. I expect users of other DEs, and Mac OS, will also feel at home on Linux with Plasma. It can't be overstated how awesome Plasma's pervasive attitude of "of course you should use your computer exactly how you want to" is.
Last edited by tmtvl on 21 Oct 2025 at 11:53 am UTC
Garuda does some funky stuff with desktop-enhancements that don't exist in 6.3, so it's actually a bit jarring and needs some toning down (bright purple outlines on windows, for example), but I love the welcome app on Garuda which gives me one-button installs of popular software like Steam, Spotify, Zoom and over a hundred more! Quite slick, takes a lot of pain out.
Not sure if I'll shift full time yet, but it's a step up from when I last tried an Arch-derivative.
Manjaro was my goto for ages, loved it. But then they were adding the 'opt-out' data collection and refused to change it. Im also wasn't keen on the arrogant denial'ist approach of some of their dev's when the community speaks out. Other flavors of Arch are pretty cool but i usually at most manage around 6-8 months (if that) before im fixing something fundamental and less than that for general hiccups.
Perhaps i should try Bazzite or CachyOS ? maybe chimeraOS ?
i do have a iso ready of Debian Siduction but i couldnt find GPG keys for verifying the iso on their website like most other distros.
the search continues.
*edit KDE is genuinely great. i was one of the love/hate users previously. Not much hate for it now. Would be nice if the themes style and transparency/blur applied to Dolphin too though
Last edited by Lofty on 22 Oct 2025 at 1:02 am UTC
But i don't really know of a stable distro with an upto date version of KDE?Kubuntu has Plasma 6.5.0 in the backports PPA.
@Lofty Bazzite and CachyOS are both good options. Expect CachyOS to get 6.5 soon (available already in the Arch testing repo if you want to try it now), Bazzite will be a bit later but still will get it sooner than most other distros. I'd recommend CachyOS only if you're a bit technical and don't mind ocassionally getting your hands dirty (aka using the terminal, maybe to fix something). Bazzite on the other hand is a great option if you want something that "just works™".
Avoid Ubuntu-based distros like the plague, they're always outdated and tend to break when you do upgrades.
The changes are great and all but my only concern is VRR.I have AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE and the integrated AMD Radeon 780M in the laptop and have no problems with VRR here.
@Lofty
I can't imagine how good it would be on 6.5 ! But i don't really know of a stable distro with an upto date version of KDE?Try openSUSE Leap, KDE Neon or Kubuntu. They get latest KDE Plasma and other software either normaly (KDE Neon) or through backport repositories you can add. openSUSE Slowroll is also an option if you are a bit more adventurous.
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