If you are a Linux user who misses the visual elements of Windows 7, or perhaps you’re a Windows 7 user contemplating the switch to Linux but anxious about missing your old interface, you’re in luck! There are ways to make your Linux desktop look like Windows 7. Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to give your Linux a Windows 7 makeover.
Step 1: Choose a Linux distribution
Before we dive into customizing the Linux desktop, it’s important to mention that not all Linux distributions will provide the same customization options. For this tutorial, we’ll be using Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop environment which is known for its high degree of customizability.
Step 2: Install Windows 7 Theme
Linux Mint has a built-in theme engine that allows you to change the look and feel of the desktop. We will work with a popular Windows 7 theme called Windows 7 Aero.
To install the theme, we will use the following terminal commands:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/themes sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install win7-theme
Step 3: Apply the Theme
After installing the theme, navigate to Menu > Control Center > Appearance. Here, you will see the newly installed Windows 7 Aero theme. Select it to apply the changes.
Step 4: Install Windows 7 Icon Set
Continuing in our quest to achieve a complete Windows 7 look, we will install the Windows 7 icon set. This can be done via terminal using the following commands:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/icons sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install win-icons
Step 5: Apply the Icon Set
Like the theme, the icon set can be applied via the Appearance settings. Navigate to Menu > Control Center > Appearance > Icons. Find and select the Windows 7 Icons, then click Apply.
Step 6: Install Windows 7 Boot Screen
To replicate the Windows 7 boot screen, we will use a tool called Plymouth. Install it using the terminal:
sudo apt-get install plymouth
Then, download the Windows 7 Plymouth theme from Gnome-look.org, extract the file and move it to /usr/share/plymouth/themes using the terminal:
sudo mv win7 /usr/share/plymouth/themes/
Apply the theme:
sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/share/plymouth/themes/default.plymouth default.plymouth /usr/share/plymouth/themes/win7/win7.plymouth 100 sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth sudo update-initramfs -u
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can successfully give your Linux desktop a Windows 7 makeover. Remember, the beauty of Linux lies in its flexibility and customizability. Feel free to experiment and enjoy your new, yet familiar, desktop experience!
