I've only dabbled in Linux, I can figure out things for the most part but never used it beyond some fiddling, but I didn't realize that desktop environments had that many specific applications. I always thought beyond some default apps most apps wouldn't depend on the desktop environment but after some reading seems like they use similar dependencies.

So if this gets seen, can most/many/any general kde apps work under a different environment if you install the dependencies or do you absolutely need the environment for them to work? Does that also follow for other desktop environments? Been reading up on DEs to get a dual boot or virtual install going in the future and this was something I hadn't realized may make one DE stand out.