View source for Software:KDE Plasma 5

{{short description|Desktop environment}}
{{Infobox software
| name                   = KDE Plasma 5 <!-- new main next to KDE Frameworks 5 and KDE Applications 5 -->
| title                  =
| logo                   = [[File:Plasma coloured logo.svg|100px]]
| logo caption           =
| logo_size              =
| logo_alt               =
| screenshot             = KDE_5.png
| caption                = The KDE Plasma 5 desktop
| screenshot_size        =
| screenshot_alt         =
| developer              = [[Organization:KDE|KDE]]
| released               = {{Start date and age|2014|07|15|df=yes}}<ref name="initial_release">{{cite web |url=http://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma5.0/ |title=KDE Plasma 5.0 Released |publisher=KDE |date=2014-07-15 |access-date=2014-08-19 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161821/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma5.0/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q17363870|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| latest release date    = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q17363870|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| latest preview version = {{If empty|{{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q17363870|P348|P548=Q51930650}}|n/a}}
| latest preview date    = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q17363870|P348|P548=Q51930650|P577}}
| discontinued           =
| programming language   = [[C++]], [[QML]]
| operating system       = [[Unix-like]]
| platform               = [[Software:FreeBSD|FreeBSD]] and [[Software:Linux|Linux]]
| size                   =
| language               =
| language count         = <!-- Number only -->
| language footnote      =
| genre                  = [[Software:Desktop environment|Desktop environment]]
| license                = [[Software:GNU General Public License|GPL 2.0 or later]]<ref>{{cite web |title=COPYING of Plasma Workspace |url=https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-workspace/-/blob/master/COPYING |website=KDE Invent |language=en |access-date=2021-03-14 |archive-date=2021-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504172438/https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-workspace/-/blob/master/COPYING |url-status=live }}</ref>
| website                = {{URL|https://kde.org/plasma-desktop}}
| replaces               = [[Software:KDE Plasma 4|KDE Plasma 4]]
}}

'''KDE Plasma 5''' is the fifth  generation of the graphical workspaces environment created by [[Organization:KDE|KDE]] primarily for Linux systems. KDE Plasma 5 is the successor of [[Software:KDE Plasma 4|KDE Plasma 4]] and was first released on 15 July 2014.<ref name="initial_release" /><ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2014/07/kde-plasma-5-released|title=KDE Plasma 5 Arrives with Fresh New Look, True Convergence|author=Sneddon|first=Joey-Elijah|date=July 15, 2014|work=OMG! Ubuntu!|access-date=June 14, 2019|archive-date=April 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408141154/https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2014/07/kde-plasma-5-released|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/08/kde-plasma-5-for-those-linux-users-undecided-on-the-kernels-future/|title=KDE Plasma 5—For those Linux users undecided on the kernel's future|last=Gilbertson|first=Scott|date=August 18, 2014|work=[[Ars Technica]]|access-date=June 14, 2019|archive-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412024658/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/08/kde-plasma-5-for-those-linux-users-undecided-on-the-kernels-future/|url-status=live}}</ref> The successor is KDE Plasma 6, with planned release date 28 February 2024.

Plasma 5 includes a new default theme, "Breeze", and increased convergence across different devices. The graphical interface was fully migrated to [[QML]], which uses [[Software:OpenGL|OpenGL]] for hardware acceleration, providing better performance and reduced power consumption.<ref name="initial_release" /><ref name=":0" />

Plasma Mobile is a Plasma 5 variant for Linux-based smartphones.

== Overview ==
[[File:KDE Mascot Konqi for Plasma Desktop.png|thumb|left|KDE's mascot [[Konqi|Konqi]] and Plasma desktop]]

=== Software architecture ===
KDE Plasma 5 is built using [[Software:Qt#Qt 5|Qt 5]] and KDE Frameworks 5,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dot.kde.org/2013/12/17/qt-52-foundation-kde-frameworks-5|title=Qt 5.2 - Foundation for KDE Frameworks 5|publisher=Dot.kde.org|author=Jos Poortvliet|date=2013-12-17|access-date=2014-03-10|archive-date=2020-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111211242/https://dot.kde.org/2013/12/17/qt-52-foundation-kde-frameworks-5|url-status=live}}</ref> predominantly plasma-framework.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://quickgit.kde.org/?p=plasma-framework.git&a=blob&h=218bdc6d9d881b654b3167eb905472e25b1ab0fc&hb=44acd8c80204bca65be7794c2614d61bc28a6503&f=README.md |title=plasma-framework readme |access-date=2016-10-08 |archive-date=2019-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216124613/https://cgit.kde.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

It improves support for HiDPI displays and ships a convergable graphical shell, which can adjust itself according to the device in use. 5.0 also includes a new default theme, dubbed Breeze. Qt 5's QtQuick 2 uses a hardware-accelerated [[Software:OpenGL|OpenGL]](ES) [[Canvas (GUI)|scene graph (canvas)]] to compose and render graphics on the screen, which allows for the offloading of computationally expensive graphics rendering tasks onto the [[Graphics processing unit|GPU]], freeing up resources on the system's main [[Central processing unit|CPU]].<ref name="initial_release" />

=== Windowing systems ===
[[File:KDE Plasma 5.24 on Arch Linux screenshot.png|upright=1.5|thumb|KDE Plasma 5 running under Wayland]]
KDE Plasma 5 uses the [[Software:X Window System|X Window System]] and [[Software:Wayland (display server protocol)|Wayland]]. Support for Wayland was prepared in the compositor and planned for a later release.<ref name="initial_release" /> It was made initially available in the 5.4 release.<ref name=four-year-later/> Stable support for a basic Wayland session was provided in the 5.5 release (December 2015).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dot.kde.org/2015/12/08/plasma-55-beautiful-new-artwork|title=Plasma 5.5 With Beautiful New Artwork|last=Riddell|first=Jonathan|date=2015-12-08|work=KDE.news|access-date=2019-04-28|archive-date=2019-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408141251/https://dot.kde.org/2015/12/08/plasma-55-beautiful-new-artwork|url-status=live}}</ref>

Support for NVIDIA proprietary driver for Plasma on Wayland was added in the 5.16 release (June 2019).<ref name="plasma5.16release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.15.90.php|title=Plasma 5.16 Release Announcement|date=16 May 2019|publisher=KDE|access-date=26 May 2019|archive-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521182654/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.15.90.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Development ===
Since the split of the [[Software:KDE Software Compilation|KDE Software Compilation]] into KDE Plasma, KDE Frameworks and [[Software:KDE Applications|KDE Applications]], each subproject can develop at its own pace.<ref name=release_schedule/> KDE Plasma 5 is on its own release schedule, with feature releases every four months, and bugfix releases in the intervening months.

=== Workspaces{{anchor|Plasma_Workspaces}} ===
The latest Plasma 5 features the following workspaces:

* ''Plasma Desktop'' for any mouse or keyboard driven computing devices like desktops or laptops
* ''Plasma Mobile'' for smartphones
* ''Plasma Bigscreen'' for TVs and set-top boxes incl. voice interaction<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://invent.kde.org/kde/plasma-bigscreen/|title=Plasma / Plasma Bigscreen|access-date=2021-08-08|archive-date=2020-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506010142/https://invent.kde.org/kde/plasma-bigscreen|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Plasma Nano'', a minimal shell for embedded and touch-enabled devices,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-nano|title=Plasma / Plasma Nano · GitLab|website=GitLab|access-date=2022-09-12|archive-date=2022-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705004812/https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-nano|url-status=live}}</ref> like IoT or automotive

== Desktop features ==
[[File:KDE Arch.png|upright=1.5|thumb|KDE Plasma with the Breeze Dark theme, with Konsole and Dolphin, core KDE applications]]
* KRunner, a search feature with many available plugins. In addition to launching apps, it can find files and folders, open websites, convert from one currency or unit to another, calculate simple mathematical expressions, and perform numerous other useful tasks.<ref>{{Cite web| title = How to Use KDE Plasma Desktop Like a Pro| work = Linux.com| access-date = 2017-12-22| date = 2015-02-22| url = https://www.linux.com/learn/how-use-kde-plasma-desktop-pro| archive-date = 2019-08-09| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190809141120/https://www.linux.com/learn/how-use-kde-plasma-desktop-pro| url-status = live}}</ref>
* Flexible desktop and panel layouts composed of individual [[Widget (GUI)|Widgets]] (also known as "Plasmoids") which can be individually configured, moved around, replaced with alternatives, or deleted. Each screen's layout can be individually configured. New widgets created by others can be downloaded within Plasma.
* Powerful clipboard with a memory of previously-copied pieces of text that can be called up at will.
* Systemwide notification system supporting quick reply and drag-and-drop straight from notifications, history view, and a Do Not Disturb mode.
* Central location to control playback of media in open apps, the phone (with KDE Connect installed), or the web browser (with Plasma Browser Integration installed)
* Activities, which allow users to separate methods of using the system into distinct workspaces. Each activity can have its own set of favorite and recently used applications, wallpapers, "[[Virtual desktop|virtual desktop]]s", panels, window styles, and layout configurations. It also couples with {{Code|ksmserver}} (X Session Manager implementation) which keeps track of apps that can be run or shutdown along with given activity via subSessions functionality that keep track of state of applications (not all applications support this feature as they do not implement XSMP protocol).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Changes to KSMServer – David Edmundson's Web Log|date=28 November 2018 |url=https://blog.davidedmundson.co.uk/blog/changes-to-ksmserver/|access-date=2021-09-30|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930213934/https://blog.davidedmundson.co.uk/blog/changes-to-ksmserver/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Encrypted vaults for storing sensitive data.
* Night Color, which can automatically warm the screen colors at night, or user-specified times, or manually.
* Styling for icons, cursors, application colors, user interface elements, splash screens and more can be changed, with new styles created by others being downloadable from within the System Settings application. Global Themes allow the entire look-and-feel of the system to be changed in one click.
* [[Session (computer science)|Session]] Management allows apps which were running when the system shut down to be automatically restarted in the same state they were in before.

== History ==
The first Technology Preview of Plasma 5 (at that time called ''Plasma 2'') was released on 13 December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dot.kde.org/2013/12/20/plasma-2-technology-preview|title=Plasma 2 Technology Preview|work=KDE.news|date=20 December 2013|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-date=12 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912163208/https://dot.kde.org/2013/12/20/plasma-2-technology-preview|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 July 2014, the first release version{{snd}} Plasma 5.0{{snd}} was released.<ref name="initial_release"/>
In spring 2015, Plasma 5 replaced Plasma 4 in many popular distributions, such as [[Software:Fedora (operating system)|Fedora 22]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=fedora-22-kde&num=1|title=Fedora 22 KDE Delivers A Great Plasma 5 Experience|work=Phoronix|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-date=6 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906132734/http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=fedora-22-kde&num=1|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Software:Kubuntu|Kubuntu]] 15.04,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kubuntu.org/news/kubuntu-15.04|title=Kubuntu 15.04 Release Announcement|date=2015-04-22|access-date=2015-07-21|archive-date=2019-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408141152/https://kubuntu.org/news/kubuntu-15.04|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Organization:OpenSUSE|openSUSE]] Tumbleweed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/openSUSE-Tumbleweed-Now-Uses-KDE-Plasma-5-3-as-Default-Desktop-481392.shtml|title=openSUSE Tumbleweed Now Uses KDE Plasma 5.3 as Default Desktop|last=Nestor|first=Marius|date=2015-05-16|website=[[Softpedia]]|access-date=2019-04-28|archive-date=2019-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408141153/https://news.softpedia.com/news/openSUSE-Tumbleweed-Now-Uses-KDE-Plasma-5-3-as-Default-Desktop-481392.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Releases ===
Feature releases are released every four months (up to 5.8 every three months) and bugfix releases in the intervening months.<ref name=release_schedule>{{cite web|url=https://community.kde.org/Schedules/Plasma_5|title=Release schedule for Plasma 5|publisher=KDE|access-date=2016-03-31|archive-date=2019-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402073643/https://community.kde.org/Schedules/Plasma_5|url-status=live}}</ref> Following version 5.8 LTS KDE plans to support each new LTS version for 18 months with bug fixes, while new regular releases will see feature improvements.<ref name="CIO">{{cite web|url=https://www.cio.com/article/236321/kde-celebrates-20th-birthday-and-goes-lts.html|title=KDE celebrates 20th birthday and goes LTS|last1=Bhartiya|first1=Swapnil|website=CIO|access-date=9 April 2022|archive-date=9 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409232820/https://www.cio.com/article/236321/kde-celebrates-20th-birthday-and-goes-lts.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="3" | Plasma 5 releases
|-
! Version
! Date
! Key features
|-
| {{Version|o|5.0}}<ref name="initial_release"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2014|07|15|abbr=on}}
| First release.
|-
| {{Version|o|5.1}}<ref name=plasma5.1release>{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.1/|title=KDE - Plasma 5.1 Brings Back Many Popular Features|work=kde.org|date=15 October 2014|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-date=17 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017092232/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.1/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2014|10|15|abbr=on}}
| Ported missing features from Plasma 4.<ref name=plasma5.1release/>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.2}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.2.0.php|title=KDE - KDE Ships Plasma 5.2|work=kde.org|date=27 January 2015|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-date=1 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201112617/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.2.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|01|27|abbr=on}}
| New components:

* BlueDevil – integrates Bluetooth technology within Plasma and KDE Applications
* KSSHAskPass – front-end for ssh-add which stores the password of the ssh key in KWallet
* Muon – a collection of package management tools for Debian-based systems, using the apt-xapian index and the [[Software:Synaptic|Synaptic]] search algorithm
* sddm-kcm – config module for [[Software:Simple Desktop Display Manager|SDDM]] themes
* {{Anchor|KScreen}} KScreen – screen management software<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Kscreen-1-0-soll-Monitorkonfiguration-von-KDE-verbessern-1895560.html|title=Kscreen 1.0 soll Monitorkonfiguration von KDE verbessern|first=heise|last=online|website=heise online|date=24 June 2013 |access-date=2022-09-12|archive-date=2021-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609220845/https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Kscreen-1-0-soll-Monitorkonfiguration-von-KDE-verbessern-1895560.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hooks into KDE System Settings, makes use of KDE Daemon and KGlobalAccel
* kde-gtk-config – [[Software:GTK+|GTK]] 2 and 3 style configurator
* KDecoration – a plugin-based library to create window decorations. These window decorations can be used by window manager which re-parents a client window to a window decoration frame.
|-
| {{Version|o|5.3}}<ref name=plasma5.3release>{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.3.0.php|title=KDE Ships Plasma 5.3, New Feature Release|publisher=KDE|date=2015-04-28|access-date=2015-05-04|archive-date=2015-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100254/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.3.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|04|28|abbr=on}}
| Tech preview of Plasma Media Center. New [[Bluetooth]] and touchpad applets. Enhanced power management.<ref name=plasma5.3release/>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.4}}<ref name=plasma5.4release>{{cite web |url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.4.0.php |title=KDE Ships Plasma 5.4.0, Feature Release for August |work=[[Organization:KDE|KDE]] |date=25 August 2015 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=5 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905113436/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.4.0.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|08|25|abbr=on}}
| Initial [[Software:Wayland (display server protocol)|Wayland]] session.<ref name="four-year-later">{{cite web|url=http://blog.martin-graesslin.com/blog/2015/06/four-years-later/|title=Four years later|author=Grässlin|first=Martin|date=2015-06-29|website=blog.martin-graesslin.com|access-date=2019-04-28|archive-date=2016-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413010025/http://blog.martin-graesslin.com/blog/2015/06/four-years-later/|url-status=live}}</ref> New QML-based audio volume applet. Alternative full-screen application launcher.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.3.95.php|title=KDE Ships Plasma 5.4 Beta Release|publisher=KDE|date=2015-08-11|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025937/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.3.95.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.5}}<ref name=plasma5.5release>{{cite web |url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.5.0.php |title=KDE Ships Plasma 5.5 Release |work=[[Organization:KDE|KDE]] |date=8 December 2015 |access-date=31 March 2016 |archive-date=10 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210214832/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.5.0.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|12|08|abbr=on}}
| Improved Wayland support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.martin-graesslin.com/blog/2015/10/september-update-for-plasmas-wayland-porting/|title=September update for Plasma's Wayland porting|work=Martin's Blog|date=8 October 2015|access-date=28 October 2015|archive-date=28 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128110533/http://blog.martin-graesslin.com/blog/2015/10/september-update-for-plasmas-wayland-porting/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=KWin-September-Wayland|title=KWin On Wayland Making Progress, Now Has A Virtual Backend|publisher=Phoronix|access-date=2015-10-28|archive-date=2019-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424135314/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=KWin-September-Wayland|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.6}}<ref name=plasma5.6release>{{cite web |url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.6.0.php |title=KDE Plasma 5.6 Release |work=[[Organization:KDE|KDE]] |date=22 March 2016 |access-date=31 March 2016 |archive-date=4 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404014013/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.6.0.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2016|03|22|abbr=on}}
| Increased security.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/kde-developers-work-on-improving-the-security-of-kde-plasma-5-on-wayland-496612.shtml|title=KDE Developers Work on Improving the Security of KDE Plasma 5 on Wayland|author=Nestor|first=Marius|date=24 November 2015|work=[[Softpedia]]|access-date=28 April 2019|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408141149/https://news.softpedia.com/news/kde-developers-work-on-improving-the-security-of-kde-plasma-5-on-wayland-496612.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.7}}<ref name="plasma5.7release">{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.7.0.php|title=KDE - KDE Plasma 5.7 Release|date=5 July 2016|access-date=11 July 2016|archive-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220105523/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.7.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2016|07|05|abbr=on}}
| "basic workflows now fully functional" in the Plasma Wayland session. Automatic virtual keyboard.<ref name="plasma5.7release"/>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.8 LTS}}<ref name=plasma5.8release>{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.8.0.php|title=KDE at 20: Plasma 5.8 LTS. Here for the Long Term.|work=[[Organization:KDE|KDE]]|date=4 October 2016|access-date=6 October 2016|archive-date=7 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007001242/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.8.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2016|10|04|abbr=on}}
| Long Term Support version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jriddell.org/2016/07/08/plasma-5-8-lts-kickerd-off-for-stability-and-performance/|title=Plasma 5.8 LTS Kickerd Off for Stability and Performance|author=Jonathan Riddell|date=8 July 2016 |access-date=2016-07-11|archive-date=2019-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408141155/https://jriddell.org/2016/07/08/plasma-5-8-lts-kickerd-off-for-stability-and-performance/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/kde/comments/4rs91d/plasma_58_will_be_an_lts_release/ |title=Plasma 5.8 will be an LTS release |date=8 July 2016 |access-date=11 July 2016 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509233245/https://www.reddit.com/r/kde/comments/4rs91d/plasma_58_will_be_an_lts_release/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.9}}<ref name=plasma5.9release>{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.9.0.php|title=Plasma 5.9 Kicks off 2017 in Style.|work=[[Organization:KDE|KDE]]|date=31 January 2017|access-date=30 July 2019|archive-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730112057/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.9.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2017|01|31|abbr=on}}
| Wayland improvements.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blog.martin-graesslin.com/blog/2016/10/wayland-improvements-since-plasma-5-8-release/ |title=Wayland improvements since Plasma 5.8 release |date=2016-10-19 |author=Martin Grässlin |access-date=2016-10-21 |archive-date=2019-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522085135/https://blog.martin-graesslin.com/blog/2016/10/wayland-improvements-since-plasma-5-8-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Global menu support.<ref name="plasma59">{{cite web |url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.9.0.php |title=KDE Ships Plasma 5.9 |date=2017-01-31 |access-date=2017-01-31 |archive-date=2019-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730112057/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.9.0.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.10}}<ref name=plasma5.10release>{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.10.0.php|title=Plasma 5.10|work=[[Organization:KDE|KDE]]|date=30 May 2017|access-date=30 July 2019|archive-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730105724/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.10.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2017|05|30|abbr=on}}
| Performance improvements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.kde.org/2017/01/31/plasma-510-spring-loading-folder-view-performance-work|title=Plasma 5.10: Spring-loading in Folder View; performance work &#124; blogs.kde.org|website=blogs.kde.org|access-date=2017-02-03|archive-date=2019-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408141159/https://blogs.kde.org/2017/01/31/plasma-510-spring-loading-folder-view-performance-work|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.11}}<ref name=plasma5.11release>{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.11.0.php|title=Plasma 5.11|work=[[Organization:KDE|KDE]]|date=10 October 2017|access-date=30 July 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018210601/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.11.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2017|11|07|abbr=on}}
| System Settings redesign.<ref name="plasma5.11release"/> Notification history.<ref name="plasma5.11release" /> Added Plasma Vaults.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ocsmag.com/2017/10/18/plasma-5-11-keep-the-momentum-going/|title=Plasma 5.11 – Keep the momentum going|date=2017-10-18|work=OCS-Mag|access-date=2019-04-28|archive-date=2019-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408141147/http://www.ocsmag.com/2017/10/18/plasma-5-11-keep-the-momentum-going/|url-status=live}}</ref> Wayland improvements.<ref>{{Cite web| title = KDE Plasma 5.11 Officially Released With Vault, Better Wayland & More - Phoronix| access-date = 2017-12-21| url = https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=KDE-Plasma-5.11| archive-date = 2019-04-24| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190424135313/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=KDE-Plasma-5.11| url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.12 LTS}}<ref name="plasma5.12release">{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.12.0.php|title=Plasma 5.12 Release Announcement|date=6 February 2018|publisher=KDE|access-date=6 February 2018|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206160207/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.12.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2018|02|06|abbr=on}}
| Increased stability and speed. Wayland improvements.<ref name="plasma5.12release"/>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.13}}<ref name="plasma5.13release">{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.13.0.php|title=Plasma 5.13 Release Announcement|date=12 June 2018|publisher=KDE|access-date=13 June 2018|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613050147/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.13.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2018|06|12|abbr=on}}
| Integration with non-KDE web browsers. New lock and login screen designs. Improved Discover appearance. New screen layout selection dialog upon connection of a new screen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.12.90.php|title=KDE Plasma 5.13 Beta: Fast, Lightweight, and Full Featured.|date=2018-05-17|access-date=2018-05-28|archive-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607150218/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.12.90.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.14}}<ref name="plasma5.14release">{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.14.0.php|title=Plasma 5.14 Release Announcement|date=9 October 2018|publisher=KDE|access-date=11 October 2018|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011030528/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.14.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2018|10|09|abbr=on}}
| GTK global menu integration. Wayland improvements.<ref name="plasma5.14release"/>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.15|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.15release">{{cite web|url=https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.15.0.php|title=Plasma 5.15 Release Announcement|date=12 February 2019|publisher=KDE|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214145344/https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.15.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|02|12|abbr=on}}
| Support for virtual desktops, touch drag-and-drop, and the XdgStable, XdgPopups and XdgDecoration protocols in the Plasma Wayland session.<ref name="plasma5.15release"/>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.16|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.16release"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|06|11|abbr=on}}
| Revamped notification system with Do Not Disturb feature, grouping in history, critical notifications in fullscreen apps, and better file transfer progress notifications. Support for the NVIDIA proprietary driver on Wayland. Full support for [[Software:WireGuard|WireGuard]] VPNs. Full touchpad configurability on X11 with Libinput driver. Modernized login, lock, and logout screen designs. UI improvements throughout Plasma and Discover<ref name="plasma5.16release"/>
|-
| {{Version|o|5.17|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.17release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.17.0.php|title=KDE Plasma 5.17: Thunderbolt, X11 Night Color and Redesigned Settings|date=15 October 2019|publisher=KDE.org|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=17 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017050100/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.17.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|10|15|abbr=on}}
| Night Color available for X11. Plasma now recognizes when a program is running in full-screen mode and prevents pop-ups. Fractional scaling support in the Plasma Wayland session.<ref name="plasma5.17release"/>
|-
|{{Version|o|5.18 LTS|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.18LTSrelease">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.18.0.php|title=KDE Plasma 5.18: More Convenient and with Long Term Stability|date=11 February 2020|access-date=12 February 2020|publisher=KDE|archive-date=6 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506010142/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.18.0.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2020|02|11|abbr=on}}
| Easier system settings. Interactive notifications. New Emoji picker. New wallpapers. Improved GTK app integration.<ref name="plasma5.18LTSrelease"/>
|-
|{{Version|o|5.19|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.19release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.19.0|title=Plasma 5.19|date=9 June 2020|access-date=9 June 2020|publisher=KDE|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609132834/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.19.0|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2020|06|09|abbr=on}}
| New system monitoring widgets. New Info Center app. Improved System Tray visuals and interaction. Timezones visible in clock pop-up. Inline reply function for notifications from supported apps. Global animation speed setting.<ref name="plasma5.19release"/>
|-
|{{Version|o|5.20|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.20release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.20.0|title=Plasma 5.20|date=13 October 2020|publisher=KDE|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=23 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123190614/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.20.0/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2020|10|13|abbr=on}}
| S.M.A.R.T. disk monitoring. "Highlight changed settings" feature in System Settings. Digital clock applet shows date by default. Redesigned status OSDs. More options and improvements for switching between grouped Task Manager tasks. Window corner-tiling shortcuts. Adjustable per-channel audio balance. Middle-click on notifications icon to enter Do Not Disturb mode. Support for screencasting, shared clipboard, middle-click paste, window thumbnails, and adjusting the scrolling speed in the Plasma Wayland session.<ref name="plasma5.20release"/>
|-
|{{Version|o|5.21|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.21release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.21.0/|title=Plasma 5.21|date=16 February 2021|publisher=KDE|access-date=24 February 2021|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308140934/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.21.0/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|02|16|abbr=on}}
| New application launcher. Applications theme improvements (unified headerbar). Breeze Twilight, a new variant of Breeze with a mix of dark and light colors. New Plasma System Monitor app. New Plasma Firewall settings page and improvements to System Settings. Media Player applet's includes the list of applications currently playing music in the header as a tab bar. Support for virtual keyboards in GTK applications in the Plasma Wayland session.<ref name="plasma5.21release"/>
|-
|{{Version|o|5.22|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.22release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.22.0/|title=Plasma 5.22|date=8 June 2021|publisher=KDE|access-date=8 June 2021|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608120940/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.22.0/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|06|08|abbr=on}}
| Adaptive Transparency for panels. Many style improvements and bug fixes for widgets and KRunner. Stability improvements for the Plasma Wayland session.<ref name="plasma5.22release"/>
|-
|{{Version|o|5.23|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.23release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.23.0/|title=Plasma - 25th Anniversary Edition|date=14 October 2021|publisher=KDE|access-date=27 October 2021|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027175652/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.23.0/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|10|14|abbr=on}}
| Switch between different performance/power saving modes (on supported hardware). Overhauled visual style for the Breeze theme. Customizable accent color. Bluetooth enablement status configurable and remembered across reboots by default. Easier to search for settings in System Settings. Application launch feedback animations and stability improvements for the Plasma Wayland session.<ref name="plasma5.23release"/>
|- 
|{{Version|o|5.24 LTS|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.24release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.24.0/|title=Plasma 5.24|date=8 February 2022|publisher=KDE|access-date=8 February 2022|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170956/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.24.0/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2022|02|08|abbr=on}}
| New Overview manager to more easily switch between desktops. Visual refresh for the Breeze theme. Color picker for accent colors. Accent for critical notifications. System tray widget enhancements. Speed and productivity enhancements to Discover. Help integration into KRunner. Fingerprint authentication support. Additional support for colors, VR, and drawing tables in Plasma Wayland.<ref name="plasma5.24release"/>
|- 
|{{Version|o|5.25|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.25release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.25.0/|title=Plasma 5.25|date=14 June 2022|publisher=KDE|access-date=14 June 2022|archive-date=14 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614144901/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.25.0/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2022|06|14|abbr=on}}
| Overview manager displays all open windows and virtual desktops. Trackpad gesture support. Sync accent color to the wallpaper. New touch mode with resized elements. New customization options. Reworked Discover application page. Greater global theme options.<ref name="plasma5.25release"/>
|-
|{{Version|o|5.26|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.26release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/ia/announcements/plasma/5/5.26.0/|title=Plasma 5.26|date=11 October 2022|publisher=KDE|access-date=11 October 2022|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011180626/https://kde.org/ia/announcements/plasma/5/5.26.0/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2022|10|11|abbr=on}}
| Resizable panel widgets. New timer widget. New Aura browser and Plank media player for Plasma Big Screen. Enhancements to Night Color. Sharper scaled text on [[Software:XWayland|XWayland]] applications. Wallpaper changes alongside dark mode. Dismiss notifications with middle click.<ref name="plasma5.26release"/>
|- 
|{{Version|c|5.27 LTS|show=}}<ref name="plasma5.27release">{{cite web|url=https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.27.0/|title=Plasma 5.27|date=14 February 2023|publisher=KDE|access-date=14 February 2023|url-status=live |archive-date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214190800/https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.27.0/ }}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2023|02|14|abbr=on}}
| Welcome wizard, window tiling system, a more stylish app theme, cleaner and more usable tools, the ability to control [[Software:Flatpak|Flatpak]] permissions in Discover (similar to Flatseal), additional widgets for users to control their machine.
|- 
| colspan="3" | <small>{{Version|l|show=011101}}</small>
|}

=== KDE Plasma 6 ===
The final release of the next generation of KDE Plasma, based on Qt6, is planned for 28 February 2024. The alpha version of Plasma 6 was released as planned on 8 November 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pointieststick.com/2023/11/03/this-week-in-kde-plasma-6-alpha-approaches | title=This week in KDE: Plasma 6 Alpha approaches | date=4 November 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2023/11/kde-plasma-6-gets-a-first-alpha-release | title=KDE Plasma 6 gets a first Alpha release | date=8 November 2023 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Software:GNOME|GNOME]]
* [[Software:Comparison of X Window System desktop environments|Comparison of X Window System desktop environments]]

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
KDE Plasma 5 Lockscreen.png|Default lock screen of Plasma 5
Kscreen-krunner.png|Plasma 5 showing KRunner and display management
Plasma 5 power managament.png|Power management and keyboard brightness [[Engineering:On-screen display|OSD]]
Shutdown screen of Plasma 5.png|Shutdown screen of Plasma 5
Simple-desktop-display-manager-kde.png|Login screen of Plasma 5
Kde-system-settings.png|Plasma System Settings
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://plasma-mobile.org/ Plasma Mobile website]
* [http://userbase.kde.org/Plasma Plasma user wiki]
* [http://community.kde.org/Plasma Plasma developer wiki]

{{KDE}}
{{X desktop environments and window managers}}
{{Widget engine}}

[[Category:Free desktop environments]]
[[Category:Widget engines]]

{{Sourceattribution|KDE Plasma 5}}