KDE Plasma 6.7 Brings Rounded Corners and UI Refinements to Linux Desktops

The KDE Plasma desktop environment continues to evolve with its upcoming 6.7 release, bringing subtle yet impactful visual refinements that demonstrate the project's commitment to polish and consistency. The most noticeable change coming in this version is the introduction of rounded corners to selection highlights throughout the interface, replacing the traditional box-like appearance with sleeker, more modern styling.

This design update extends beyond mere aesthetics. As the KDE community explains, these rounded corners are part of a broader redesign effort to create a more cohesive visual language across all Plasma components. Selection highlights appear in menus, lists, and various interface elements, so this change will be immediately apparent to users across virtually every interaction with the desktop environment.

The rounded corner implementation follows a pattern we've seen across modern operating systems, where softened edges contribute to a more approachable and unified interface. In Plasma's case, this refinement aligns with the project's philosophy of providing a polished, user-friendly experience while maintaining the flexibility and customization that Linux users expect.

Beyond the visual updates, Plasma 6.7 includes several practical improvements that enhance daily usability. The Digital Clock widget gains support for the Vietnamese lunar calendar, expanding cultural inclusivity for users who follow this traditional calendar system. This addition demonstrates KDE's attention to diverse user needs and its commitment to serving a global audience.

Another thoughtful enhancement appears in the Kickoff application launcher. When users favorite an application through Kickoff, the interface now provides a clearer visual alert to confirm the action succeeded. This small but significant improvement addresses a common usability concern where users might wonder whether their interaction was registered, particularly in complex interface elements.

Privacy-conscious users will appreciate a new toggle in the Application Permissions page that allows revoking all active remote casting sessions with a single click. This feature provides a quick way to terminate any unintended or forgotten remote connections, enhancing security and giving users better control over their system's accessibility.

These improvements arrive as part of KDE's ongoing development cycle, with the community publishing weekly "This Week in Plasma" updates that showcase progress across various components. This transparent development approach allows users and developers to track changes in real-time and understand the direction of the project.

Plasma 6.7 is currently in active development, with an expected release window around June 2026. The six-month release cycle gives the KDE team ample time to refine these features and address any issues that arise during testing. For users eager to experience these changes sooner, the development versions are available through various Linux distributions' testing repositories or by building from source.

The combination of visual refinements and functional improvements in Plasma 6.7 reflects KDE's balanced approach to desktop environment development. While some projects chase radical redesigns or experimental features, KDE continues to iterate methodically, polishing existing elements while adding practical new capabilities. This steady evolution has helped Plasma maintain its position as one of the most popular Linux desktop environments, appealing to both newcomers and long-time Linux users who appreciate thoughtful, incremental improvements.

For current Plasma 6.6 users, these changes represent the kind of refinement that makes upgrading worthwhile without requiring a complete relearning of the interface. The rounded corners and other tweaks will feel familiar yet fresher, maintaining the productivity-focused design while adding visual sophistication that brings Plasma in line with contemporary design trends.