The KDE Project has officially released KDE Plasma 6.4, introducing a host of new features and improvements to enhance the desktop environment experience. This latest version includes a significant user interface overhaul for the Spectacle screenshot tool, support for custom tile layouts on a per-virtual-desktop basis, and the introduction of a user-friendly X window manager called KWin-X11.
One of the standout features in this release is the new HDR calibration wizard, along with the Aurorae theme engine that allows for customized KWin window decorations. In an effort to improve application integration with the Plasma Wayland session, KDE Plasma 6.4 brings support for several Wayland protocols, covering functionalities such as relative tablet dials, idle notifications, color representation, FIFO, toplevel tags, and single pixel buffers.
Additionally, there are new options for managing window titlebars directly from the Task Manager context menu, alongside the ability to disable unwanted system tray icons from applications that lack internal settings. Users can also apply sound themes with a simple double-click, making customization more accessible.
KRunner, the desktop’s search tool, has seen enhancements in search result organization and supports various color code formats. The redesigned shortcut chooser window for portal-based actions improves navigation, while the Plasma Discover package manager now allows users to start updates directly from notification prompts.
KDE Plasma 6.4 further refines user experience by sending persistent notifications to the notification history, customizing the duration of virtual desktop switching effects with the "Fade Desktop" option, and updating the KDE Menu Editor (KMenuEdit). The Plasma System Monitor app has added a "Background Services" section for better service management, and users now have the flexibility to configure their system so that dragging files or folders automatically moves them without prompts.
This version also introduces support for the P010 video color format and extends dynamic range capabilities. Users are encouraged to check out the release announcement for further details.
KDE Plasma 6.4 is expected to arrive soon in stable software repositories for popular GNU/Linux distributions like openSUSE Tumbleweed, Arch Linux, Fedora Linux, and KDE neon, so users should keep an eye out for updates to enjoy the new features and enhancements.