How to Make Linux Look Like Windows 10

Switching to Linux doesn’t mean you have to give up the familiar Windows 10 look and feel. Whether you want to make the transition smoother, or just prefer the clean Windows 10 aesthetic, here’s how you can make your Linux desktop look almost identical to Windows 10.

1. Choose the Right Linux Distribution

You can make almost any Linux distro look like Windows 10, but some make it easier:

Zorin OS: Already has a Windows-like appearance out of the box.
Linux Mint: Highly customizable and beginner-friendly.
Ubuntu: Popular and well-supported, but needs more tweaks.

For this guide, I’ll focus on Ubuntu-based systems, but the steps work similarly for others.

2. Install a Windows 10 Theme

First, you need to install a theme that mimics Windows 10. Here’s how:

A. Enable GNOME Tweaks (if you’re using GNOME)

Open a terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

B. Get the Windows 10 GTK Theme

Go to B00merang Project’s Windows 10 Theme page and download the theme.
Extract the theme folder.
Move the extracted folder to your .themes directory. (Create it if it doesn’t exist.)

mkdir -p ~/.themes
mv /path/to/downloaded/theme-folder ~/.themes/

C. Apply the Theme

Open GNOME Tweaks.
Go to Appearance.
Set Applications and Shell to the Windows 10 theme.

3. Get Windows 10 Icons

Download the Windows 10 icon pack.
Extract and move the folder to .icons:

mkdir -p ~/.icons
mv /path/to/downloaded/icon-folder ~/.icons/

In GNOME Tweaks, set Icons to the new Windows 10 icon theme.

4. Make the Taskbar Look Like Windows 10

GNOME and most desktop environments have flexible panels. To mimic the Windows 10 taskbar:

A. Install Dash to Panel (for GNOME)

Open GNOME Extensions (extensions.gnome.org).
Find and install Dash to Panel.
Customize the panel to look and behave like the Windows 10 taskbar (bottom placement, app grouping, etc.).

B. For Other Desktops

On Cinnamon or KDE Plasma, move the panel to the bottom and add the main menu, window list, and system tray widgets.

5. Use a Windows 10 Cursor

Download a Windows 10 cursor pack from here.
Extract and move the folder to .icons.
Set your cursor theme in Tweaks or your system settings.

6. Optional: Windows 10 Wallpapers and Sounds

Download Windows 10 wallpapers from Microsoft or wallpaper sites.
Set your wallpaper.
For sounds, you can find Windows 10 sound packs online and apply them through your system’s sound settings.

7. Final Tweaks

Change your system font to something similar to Segoe UI for the full effect.
Tweak window controls (minimize, maximize, close) to match Windows 10 positions.
Install apps like KMenuEdit or AppMenu to edit your application menu for that Windows feel.

Conclusion

With a few downloads and tweaks, you can make your Linux system look almost indistinguishable from Windows 10. This is perfect if you’re new to Linux, helping you stay in familiar territory while enjoying all the benefits of open-source software.

Let me know in the comments if you have questions or want more Linux customization tips!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!