KDE 4 for Windows... where to get and how to do?

[FSHero]

Since KDE was released three days ago (on 2008-01-11), I wanted to try it out on Windows (XP and Vista). I have been eagerly awaiting this! But I cannot find it on this page at kde.org:
http://www.kde.org/info/4.0.php

I am looking for a pre-compiled binary for Windows, I imagine.

If I search a search engine such as Google for "Install KDE 4 Windows", all I get are news articles on KDE 4. I found this link:
http://wiki.kde.org/tiki-index.php?page=KDE4+Windows+Port
... but this 'roadmap' infers that the port is incomplete.

So, do I have to wait, or is there a way of installing it now? I would very much like to try KDE 4 out on Windows.

[Steveway]

KDE4 is as of yet not avaiable for Windows.
It will sometime in the future be avaiable for it.
You'll have to wait, propably a long time.
And as a question, why do you want to do this? It's like giving a ill and old man from the streets a facelift, not usefull and doesn't fix the real problems.
Better go ahead and use Linux or another *nix system.

[LaRoza]

You can use it on a live cd if you want to check it out.

[karellen]

kde is a desktop environment for X, not a windows theme. so you can't just install it. period.

[Wiifreak]

There is a KDE 4 Windows installer, alpha or beta.
But when I installed it in a test envirionment there was something wrong with the Perl installer package.
It couldn't be opened or even deleted!
So don't install on Windows!
Use a virtual machine to install Kubuntu Hardy, install it on your computer next to Windows, or use the live CD.

[jcwmoore]

if you want to try KDE on windows the best bet is to use a live CD. keep in mind the KDE 4 is very young and it may be some time before a Kubuntu live CD is out....

[SunnyRabbiera]

if you want to try KDE on windows the best bet is to use a live CD. keep in mind the KDE 4 is very young and it may be some time before a Kubuntu live CD is out....

there already is one, its how i demoed KDE4.
anyhow I would give KDE4 a few months before it starts its full porting process, it is still young and immature.

[FSHero]

Thanks for the info, guys. That was very useful.

As you can see in my 'infobox' I already use Kubuntu! I am very pleased with it. However, the reason I wanted it for Windows is so I can have the cool apps that are in the KDE. Also, I wanted to recommend it to some friends. After all, applications such as KOffice, Amarok, Konqueror and K3B are of very good quality, and free (as in beer and in speech).

I shall eagerly await KDE 4 on Windows. In the meantime, I'll look for a live-cd.

Karellen - I know that KDE is a desktop environment for X. So how would it look like on Windows? Would it take over the login screen and taskbar? Or would it run in some kind of 'window'?

[Incense]

I don't think the whole desktop was being ported, just some apps like koffice and amarok.

From http://dot.kde.org/1200050369/1200052770/1200092639/1200116205/

Re: OS X and Windows packages
by Aaron J. Seigo on Friday 11/Jan/2008, @21:36

just in case there is confusion on this point, the workspace is *not* being ported to windows or mac.

[shuttleworthwannabe]

sorry I could not resist: here are 2 recent links:
One (http://mrcopilot.blogspot.com/2008/01/can-kde-save-dying-windows-platform.html)
Two (http://windows.kde.org/)

[angry_johnnie]

This (http://www.andlinux.org/) has to be the easiest way to run linux applications within windows.

I've used it, and it's pretty good. Actually, its VERY good :-).