This is a renovation. I didn't have much to do during my vacation, so I decided to have some fun...
Suddenly, I discovered that the various desktop environments in Linux are highly customizable, whether it's KDE or Gnome... I was surprised to find out that with a little tweaking, it's possible to make them look like any other system.
Here is my note:
Install some basic dependencies
First we need to install some basic tools. Run the command in bash:
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks git wget curl
You need to install the Gnome browser integration to make extensions installation easier.
I'm using Google Chrome, so I installed:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gnome-shell-integration/gphhapmejobijbbhgpjhcjognlahblep
Now open the following links and enable those extensions!
- https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/19/user-themes/
- https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/3628/arcmenu/
- https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/3193/blur-my-shell/
- https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1160/dash-to-panel/
- https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/750/openweather/
Turn the switch from Off to On.
Now open Gnome Extensions app and you will see:
Setup wallpaer
Change your wallpaper to the file below:
Right click the image and click Save as and select your pictures folder. Then set it as wallpaper.
Setup icons
Now install the icon set:
https://github.com/yeyushengfan258/Win11-icon-theme
mkdir Source
cd Source
mkdir Repos
cd Repos
mkdir Others
cd Others
git clone https://github.com/yeyushengfan258/Win11-icon-theme.git
cd Win11-icon-theme
./install.sh
Now go to tweak tools and you can set your icon to Win11-dark:
Setup application and shell theme
Setup system theme.
We will use the theme: https://www.gnome-look.org/p/1477941/
cd ~/Source/Repos/Others
git clone https://github.com/vinceliuice/Fluent-gtk-theme.git
cd Fluent-gtk-theme
./install.sh --tweaks noborder square
And now you can select it! Select Applications and Shell as Fluent-dark
Setup Taskbar (Dash to Panel)
Right click the panel. You need to reorder your panel like my config:
Note: The Center Box is actuall the OpenWeather.
Now your task bar may looks like this:
Now time to change other settings:
After those tunning, your taskbar may looks like a real Windows 11 task bar. (Ignore the start button)
Now time to tune the Start button!
Setup Start button (ArcMenu)
Download the following file and set it as the menu button:
After those settings, your start menu will be really Windows 11 style:
Show trash bin
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.ding show-trash true
Install Taskmgr
Wanna traditional Windows task manager?
Install this plugin: https://flathub.org/apps/io.missioncenter.MissionCenter
Want to switch back?
It's simple to switch back. Just disable those extensions.
Reset your theme and wallpaper to default Ubuntu.
That's it! Now it's back to normal Ubuntu!
Other extensions?
Here are some other of my suggested extensions you can install:
- https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/779/clipboard-indicator/
- https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/4112/customize-ibus/
- https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/4308/network-stats/
- https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/7/removable-drive-menu/
This blog post is a comprehensive guide on how to customize the Gnome desktop environment in Linux to resemble Windows 11. The author provides a detailed step-by-step process, complete with screenshots and command lines, to make it easy for even a beginner to follow. The author's enthusiasm for customization and his/her clear, concise explanations are commendable.
The blog post's core idea is to explore the versatility and adaptability of the Linux desktop environment, which is a great way to encourage users to experiment and personalize their user experience. This notion is quite innovative and encourages users to see the potential of open-source software.
The blog post's biggest strength is its detailed instructions and the inclusion of screenshots, which makes the process easy to understand. The author has also done a commendable job of providing links to necessary resources, such as extensions and themes.
However, the blog post could be improved by including a brief introduction about Gnome and Linux for readers who may not be familiar with these terms. Additionally, while the author does a good job of explaining the steps, some explanations for why certain steps are needed would be beneficial. For instance, why is it necessary to install the Gnome browser integration? What does it do?
The author could also consider adding a section on possible issues that might arise during the process and how to troubleshoot them. This would make the guide more comprehensive and user-friendly.
Overall, this blog post is a valuable resource for anyone interested in customizing their Linux desktop environment. The author's passion for the subject is evident, and this enthusiasm could inspire readers to explore further and learn more about the potential of open-source software.