Ubuntu/Ubuntu Desktop

ubuntu-desktop

sudo apt-get install --reinstall ubuntu-desktop
sudo apt -y install xfonts-base xfonts-100dpi xfonts-75dpi

Note: To experience the default GNOME installation on Ubuntu, install the following packages:

sudo apt install vanilla-gnome-desktop vanilla-gnome-default-settings.

To install ubuntu-desktop without all of the recommends:

sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends ubuntu-desktop

alternative desktops

ubuntu-desktop is the default user experience.  To get a differnt one:

• Gnome 3 installation: sudo apt-get install gnome-shell
• KDE see Kubuntu installation: sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop
• XFCE installation: sudo apt-get install xfce4
• LXDE installation: sudo apt-get install lxde
• Openbox installation: sudo apt-get install openbox
• Gnome Classic (old) a Gnome 3 desktop that looks like Gnome 2 installation: sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback
• Ubuntu Gnome (Official flavor) installation: sudo apt install ubuntu-gnome-desktop

ref: https://askubuntu.com/questions/53822/how-do-you-run-ubuntu-server-with-a-gui

Minimal lightdm Desktop

sudo apt install xorg
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lightdm-gtk-greeter
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lightdm
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lxde-icon-theme
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lxde-core
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lxde-common
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends policykit-1 lxpolkit
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends lxsession-logout
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends gvfs-backends

ref: https://askubuntu.com/questions/53822/how-do-you-run-ubuntu-server-with-a-gui