How To Make Linux Look Like Windows

As the days laissez passer, Linux is on its way to condign the get-to operating system for users. With its superior command-line interface, better security, and a helpful community that offers support and fixes for nearly issues, no dubiousness switching to Linux-based distributions seems like a tempting option.

If yous're coming from a Windows x background, switching to the graphical user interface (GUI) of Linux would seem like unknown territory to yous. Navigating through the unfamiliar GUI might be a lilliputian disruptive.

If nosotros only described your situation, then fear not; the purpose of this guide is to make sure that you lot become that familiar Bone feeling of Windows 10 on your Linux system. With all that out of the manner, allow'south take a expect at the methods to make Linux wait similar Windows 10.

Method one: Using Linux distros similar to Windows ten

The starting time method you can endeavour is to install a Linux distribution that already looks or feels like Windows 10. This gets rid of the process of customizing your electric current Linux distribution to look similar to Windows 10 as all themes, icons, etc., are already installed. Some recommendations for Linux distros that already look like Windows 10 are given below.

Linuxfx is perhaps the most similar Linux distro to Windows x. The latest installment is Windowsfx 10, which copies the original Windows 10 look down to each icon. With similar GUI, effects for transitions, and icon blueprint, Linuxfx is the most akin to Windows 10 in terms of fashion. You can download the latest version by clicking here.

ZorinOS is a potent competitor to the aforementioned Linuxfx. Although it doesn't harbor the Windows x theme, the UI is designed to replicate the experience of Windows 10. With its taskbar, get-go button, and Windows-oriented explorer, ZorinOS volition requite you lot the Windows 10 experience while keeping true to its Linux originality. You can download ZorinOS by clicking hither.

Aside from these, many other Linux distributions will offer you an experience similar to that of Windows ten, like ReactOS, Linux Mint, etc. However, the next method is for yous if you wish to get the Windows ten experience without switching to some other Linux distribution.

Method two: Customizing your Linux Bone to await like Windows x

The offset method required installing a dissimilar Linux distribution with pre-existing themes and designs similar to Windows 10. This might not be the all-time approach for all of yous, equally y'all may wish to work on a Linux distribution of your choice for various reasons. If that is the example, you tin follow the instructions in this method to customize your Linux to await similar Windows 10.

For this guide, we'll be customizing Ubuntu 20.04 LTS to look like Windows x. However, the steps of this method should be applicative for any Linux distribution regardless of syntax. With that said, let'south begin.

Step 1: Installing dependencies

Our beginning step is to install a few dependencies for our Gnome desktop surroundings. Nosotros brand sure that Gnome Tweaks is installed in our system. If information technology is non installed past default, you can type the following command in the Linux terminal.

$ sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Next, we shall proceed with installing the Gnome shell extensions on our system. For this purpose, we type this control in the terminal:

$ sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions

Later on that is finished, the side by side step involves installing the nuance to console extension for Gnome. The nuance-to-console extension will motility all apps present on your organization to a taskbar similar to that of Windows 10. Install the extension past typing this control:

$ sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-panel

In one case the installation is finished, log out of your system and re-login for the effects to have place.

Later, open the Extensions window by typing "Extensions" in the search bar. Then, click the slider next to "Dash to panel" to enable the extension. This will give you a taskbar similar to the i in Windows 10.

Footstep ii: Installing Windows 10 theme

Our next stride involves installing a theme to make our Linux distribution wait like Windows ten. For this purpose, we'll be using the Windows 10 theme provided by the Boomerang Project. You can download the nil file for the theme by clicking hither.

When the file finishes downloading, extract the zippo file by typing this command in the Linux last:

$ cd ~/Downloads

$ unzip Windows-10-Dark-3.2-dark.zip

It should be noted that the file name may be different for the .aught file. Then, make sure you know the correct file name when using the unzip command.

The side by side footstep involves moving the extracted files to your themes directory by executing the command given below. Brand sure that you're typing the correct name for your .cipher file, as it may exist different.

$ mv Windows-10-Night-three.2-nighttime ~/.themes/

Later on this step, open the Appearance tab of gnome-tweaks. Below Themes, open up Applications and select your extracted theme (in our example Windows-x-Night-3.2-dark)

Stride three: Installing Windows 10 icons

In our next step, we shall change the icons for our Linux distribution to make them look like to Windows 10 icons.

For this purpose, you should download the icon theme by clicking here. Once you download the .nix file, extract it using the $ unzip command every bit follows.

$ cd ~/Downloads

$ unzip Windows-ten-master.nix

Equally we did for the Windows ten applications theme in Pace 1, move the files to the icon theme folder. You tin can make ane past running the following commands.

$ mkdir ~/.icons (This will create a binder named 'icons')

$ mv Windows-x-principal ~/.icons/

Afterward, head to Appearance in gnome-tweaks and choose Windows-x-Primary from the Icons menu. This will alter your icons to resemble Linux icons.

Boosted settings that you tin can apply

Although the previous settings provide an adequate Windows 10 experience, these settings will push that on another level.

It is possible to the gnome extension "Arc Menu" every bit an alternative launcher for your applications to go the ultimate Windows 10 feel on Linux. Before you lot do that, don't forget to add the browser extension for gnome by clicking hither (For Google Chrome). After which, it is possible to install the Arc Menu. You can detect more details about the Arc Menu along with an installation guide by clicking here.

Additionally, you can change your background to the default Windows 10 wallpaper, which can be downloaded from here.

Conclusion

Nosotros hope this guide helped you in customizing your Linux distribution to resemble Windows 10. Although information technology may not exist a replica, it'south withal a more familiar feeling than your average Linux GUI. With this, we wish yous all the best in your time to come experiences with Linux.

Nearly the author

Hi there! I'm a Software Engineer who loves to write about tech. You can attain out to me on LinkedIn.