How to Install GNOME GUI on AlmaLinux 9

To use AlmaLinux 9 in graphical mode, you will need to install the GNOME package on the system to enable GUI. We will go through the steps required to install GNOME GUI.

Check the available package groups for AlmaLinux 9.

yum group list

Output:

[root@server ~]# yum group list
AlmaLinux 9.0-beta - BaseOS                     7.2 kB/s | 3.8 kB     00:00
AlmaLinux 9.0-beta - BaseOS                     3.4 MB/s | 1.9 MB     00:00
AlmaLinux 9.0-beta - AppStream                  7.3 kB/s | 3.8 kB     00:00
AlmaLinux 9.0-beta - AppStream                   10 MB/s | 6.5 MB     00:00
AlmaLinux 9.0-beta - Extras packages            7.4 kB/s | 3.8 kB     00:00
AlmaLinux 9.0-beta - Extras packages             16 kB/s |  11 kB     00:00
Available Environment Groups:
   Server with GUI
   Server
   Workstation
   Virtualization Host
   Custom Operating System
Installed Environment Groups:
   Minimal Install
Available Groups:
   Legacy UNIX Compatibility
   Graphical Administration Tools
   Headless Management
   RPM Development Tools
   Security Tools
   Smart Card Support
   Development Tools
   Network Servers
   .NET Development
   Container Management
   Console Internet Tools
   System Tools
   Scientific Support

Installing Gnome GUI

Installing a Gnome GUI requires several packages to be installed on the server. Thankfully this process is simplified using groupinstall option and all the required packages related to Gnome are grouped in Server with GUI group.

yum groupinstall "Server with GUI"

Output:

[root@server ~]# yum groupinstall "Server with GUI"
AlmaLinux 9 - AppStream                         7.8 MB/s | 6.5 MB     00:00
AlmaLinux 9 - BaseOS                            2.7 MB/s | 1.9 MB     00:00
AlmaLinux 9 - Extras                             19 kB/s |  11 kB     00:00
Dependencies resolved.
================================================================================
 Package           Architecture     Version             Repository         Size
================================================================================
Installing Environment Groups:
 Server with GUI
Installing Groups:
 base-x
 Container Management

To enable the GUI as default and boot into graphical mode.

systemctl set-default graphical

Output:

[root@server ~]# systemctl set-default graphical
Removed /etc/systemd/system/default.target.
Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/default.target → /usr/lib/systemd/system/graphical.target.

Reboot the system so it can boot into the graphical mode.

reboot

GUI Setup

Head over to CrownPanel to access the VNC feature for the next steps.

GUI welcome page will appear and it will prompt for various information to configure your server profile.

Create a user by providing the User name and Password.

Login Screen

Log in to the user which you've created.

AlmaLinux 8 desktop screen and its system information.

AlmaLinux 9 GNOME GUI complete!!!