KDE Plasma 6.5 Welcomes Users with KISS Setup Wizard
KDE Plasma 6.5 Welcomes Users with KISS Setup Wizard
Table of contents:-
A New First Impression for Plasma
Part of a Bigger Plasma 6.5 Story
A New First Impression for Plasma
The KDE Project is set to enhance the out-of-the-box experience in its upcoming Plasma 6.5 desktop environment with the debut of the KDE Initial System Setup wizard, affectionately abbreviated as KISS. This new tool is designed to guide users through essential first-run configurations, particularly in scenarios where the operating system has been pre-installed by an OEM or another party, and no user accounts yet exist.
Historically, Plasma has relied on its Welcome Centre to greet users after their first login, but the creation of the very account used to log in was left to the system installer. KISS bridges this gap, ensuring that even if the OS was installed by a vendor or previous owner, the new user can easily configure their environment without diving into technical workarounds.
What KISS Brings to the Table
KISS appears only in fresh OEM-style setups or on brand-new devices, stepping in before the desktop session begins. It enables users to:
Create a personal user account with secure credentials
Select system language and keyboard layout
Configure the time zone
Establish a network connection
This approach mirrors the familiar onboarding flow seen in mainstream operating systems, but with KDE’s open-source flexibility and visual polish. It’s a particularly welcome addition for hardware vendors shipping Plasma-based systems, as it streamlines the customer’s first interaction with their device.
The gallery below displays this new feature in a virtual machine created from KDE Linux 2025-08-30 (tagged ‘KDE Plasma 6.5 Dev’) using Virt-Manager:
Part of a Bigger Plasma 6.5 Story
Plasma 6.5, scheduled for release on 21 October 2025, is shaping up to be a feature-rich update. Alongside KISS, users can expect refinements such as scrollable panels when space runs out, improved HDR tone mapping, and subtle UI enhancements like rounded window corners. The Initial System Setup tool, however, stands out as a strategic move to make Plasma more approachable for newcomers and more attractive to OEM partners.
Conclusion
KDE’s Initial System Setup wizard is more than a convenience—it’s a statement of intent. By smoothing the very first steps a user takes, KDE is signalling its commitment to accessibility, user-friendliness, and readiness for broader adoption in pre-installed Linux systems. For both seasoned enthusiasts and first-time Linux users, KISS could make that crucial first impression a little warmer and a lot more seamless.
Disclaimer: KDE, Plasma and related names are trade names or trademarks of their respective owners. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this article, end-users are advised to evaluate this open-source software carefully, use it at their own calculated risk, and always back up important data before making changes to their primary device.
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