August 29, 2025

Say 'no thanks' Microsoft Windows 11 and 'yes please' to AnduinOS 1.3

With Windows 10’s end of life looming, users are beginning to consider their next steps. In the past, upgrading to the latest Windows release might have been the obvious path, but Windows 11 -- with its tighter hardware requirements, bloat, problematic updates, insistence on a Microsoft account, and an increasing focus on unwanted AI features -- may no longer be the first choice for many.

Thankfully, Windows 11 isn’t the only game in town. Several Linux operating systems have been developed to appeal to Windows users looking to jump ship. AnduinOS is one such distribution, combining the familiarity of Windows 11 with the power of Ubuntu, and it's just been updated to version 1.3.0.

The OS continues to focus on ease of use, especially for those users moving over from Windows. It's built on the latest version of Ubuntu -- 25.04 “Plucky Puffin” -- and features GNOME 48, offering a desktop that closely resembles the look and feel of Windows 11, complete with a centered taskbar, app launcher, and rounded window corners.

AnduinOS 1.3 introduces several major improvements, including an integrated app store based on Flatpak that expands the range of available applications beyond the standard Ubuntu repositories.

GNOME Software now comes pre-installed, allowing users to browse and install software directly from a graphical storefront. There’s support for HDR displays and a new Super + V shortcut to toggle clipboard history.




One noteworthy fix in this release is improved Firefox localization, resolving past issues for non-English users.

AnduinOS 1.3 is available for download from the official website. Unlike many distributions that rely on in-session language packs, there are separate ISO files for each supported language, making installation easier for international users.

Source: https://betanews.com/2025/05/01/say-no-thanks-microsoft-windows-11-and-yes-please-to-anduinos-1-3/

You can also download a copy here:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=anduin

------------------------------
Anduin is a lean desktop built on Gnome. It does not have many applications. So you will have to add your own from the Synaptic Package Manager and Software Manager.
The Gnome desktop is clean, and with the launcher, it navigated very much like Win11.  I installed my own favorite apps: Thunar, Chrome, Chromium, Deluge, OnlyOffice, Conky Sys Monitor, and the VLC, Deadbeef, and Audacious music players. Below are my own installed screen shots. Enjoy.






































August 23, 2025

Q4OS Review - A Polished Debian Experience with 2 Great Desktop Choices

Who needs Windows 11? Q4OS FreeXP is a modern version of Microsoft's greatest OS, powered by Debian Linux

I appreciate calling Windows XP “Microsoft’s greatest OS” will elicit snorts of derision from a good number of you. That honor probably belongs to Windows 7, or maybe even Windows 10 (once Microsoft ironed out the many problems that plagued it from the start). But certainly, Windows XP was a classic, and a huge step up from the operating systems that preceded it.

If you miss XP but aren’t crazy enough to run an OS that (mostly) hasn’t had security updates in over a decade, FreeXP might be just what you’re looking for. It’s not XP, and it’s not from Microsoft, but it looks and feels just like it.

SEE ALSO:

FreeXP is actually XPQ4, with the Windows look for Q4OS desktop (there’s also a Windows 10 version of it), which is powered by the latest version of Debian Linux.

Because it’s Linux, you can run and enjoy the OS as live media, without needing to install it. Once you launch it, the theme will load and you’ll be catapulted into the past.

The nostalgic OS includes the famous Bliss wallpaper, the XP Start menu and taskbar, icons, control panel, and more. You’ll have to pinch yourself that it’s not actually XP at times. Because it’s a modern OS, you’ll find cool features like virtual desktop support and the option to install the Chromium browser.

If you double-click the XPQ4 shortcut on the desktop you’ll have the option to pick a different theme, and these include Windows 2000, Windows XP Classic, Windows XP Luna, Windows 7, Windows 8 (possibly Microsoft's worst OS), Windows 10 Light, and Q4OS Default.

Ready to get started? You can download Q4OS FreeXP (or Free10) from here.
It is based on Debian and using the KDE desktop manager.

Image Credit: Pressmaster / Dreamstime.com

Source: https://betanews.com/2025/02/18/who-needs-windows-11-freexp-is-a-modern-version-of-microsofts-greatest-os-powered-by-debian-linux/

An Everyday Linux User Review Of Q4OS and XPQ4

August 21, 2025

These Linux Distros Look Like Your Favorite Retro Windows OS (howtogeek.com)

If you are someone like me who grew up with early Windows versions, the visual aesthetic of Windows 95, XP, and even 7 holds a powerful appeal. Their classic desktop experience isn't just nostalgic but also comforting, reminding you of simpler computing days.



While we've moved past those days, it's not that hard to revisit that visual era without actually sacrificing the benefits of modern computing. The world of Linux has several modern distros that either look like retro Windows versions by default or can be tweaked to resemble Windows of yesteryears with little effort.


Windows 95: Xubuntu with Twister UI




If you're looking to recreate the nostalgic look and feel of Windows 95 on a modern Linux distribution, Xubuntu paired with Twister UI is an excellent option. Xubuntu is a popular and well-liked Ubuntu-based distro that uses the lightweight Xfce desktop environment, which is pretty customizable. It's also responsive, even on older and low-end hardware, and benefits from its Ubuntu roots by having access to a wide range of software, a massive community, and extensive documentation.


While Xfce's default aesthetic already feels familiar to Windows migrants, Twister UI takes things to the next level by completely changing the environment to match your favorite Windows version. Twister UI is an add-on created by Pi Labs that offers Twister OS for Raspberry Pi and other single-board computers. It doesn't just give you the ability to mimic Windows 95's look, but other Windows versions as well, including Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows 11.


Installing Twister UI on Xubuntu is a straightforward process. Simply download the installer from the Twister OS website, grant it "execute" permission, and run it. It includes all the necessary files to deliver the visual changes matching Windows 95, such as icons, cursors, wallpapers, sounds, login screens, and layout presets.


Twister UI is not just about recreating the look of Windows 95. It also adds some helpful packages to the Xubuntu installation, such as ThemeTwister to quickly switch between different looks, the Wine compatibility layer to run Windows programs, the PhotoGIMP app for image editing, and an Android device mirroring tool.


While Twister UI is pretty versatile, it can feel bloated if you don't want to recreate the look of more than one Windows version or need the extra software added with it. The Chicago95 theme for Xubuntu and other distros using the Xfce DE is a good leaner alternative to get the Windows 95 look. It only adds the theme (including icons, sounds, login screens, etc.) needed for the Windows 95 aesthetic, and nothing else.


Why You Should Consider Xubuntu with Twister UI

It is relatively simple to set up and gives you access to a wide range of retro Windows layouts.

Xubuntu and its Xfce DE are resource-efficient and work well on low-end hardware.

Why Xubuntu with Twister UI Might Not Be Right for You

Twister UI can feel bloated if you don't need all the bundled layouts and apps.

Minimum Requirements

Intel or AMD 64-bit processor

1GB of RAM

8.6GB of available disk space for Xubuntu install and 5GB for Twister UI


Download

Download Xubuntu

https://xubuntu.org/download/

Download Twister UI

https://twisteros.com/downloads/


Windows XP: Q4OS




Although you can get the Windows XP look with the Xubuntu and Twister UI combo that I just mentioned, Q4OS is a simpler and much more standard option that doesn't require you to install any add-ons or themes.


Q4OS is one of the most popular Linux distros for low-end hardware and older computers. It's based on Debian, which gives it reliability, stability, and security. You can get it in two variants, one with the Trinity Desktop Environment (TDE) and the other with KDE Plasma. TDE is the one you want, as its default interface is reminiscent of Windows XP. It doesn't try to recreate the whole visual environment; instead, it takes inspiration to offer a similar aesthetic. It also features clones of Solitaire and Minesweeper games.


Even beyond the visual aesthetic, Q4OS has much to like. It comes with all the essentials for everyday computing, such as a web browser, email client, media player, and office suite. You can install more apps using the built-in Software Center and the Synaptic package manager. Moreover, Flatpak support is built in, giving you access to a wide range of universal packages.


Moreover, it comes with a few helpful tools, such as Desktop Profiler and LookSwitcher, which help you improve the overall user experience. While you can switch between different available themes with the LookSwitcher, the Desktop Profiler lets you add more desktop environments and switch between minimal, basic, and full installations.


Why You Should Consider Q4OS

Q4OS with TDE looks and feels like Windows XP out of the box.

It works great on low-end and older hardware.

You can easily add other desktop environments if you get bored with the Windows XP look.

Why Q4OS Might Not Be Right for You

If you want a complete clone of the Windows XP design.

Minimum Requirements

350MHz CPU

256MB of RAM

3GB of available disk space

Download

Download Q4OS with TDE

https://www.q4os.org/downloads1.html


Windows 7: Zorin OS




Zorin OS is a widely recommended Linux distro for folks migrating from Windows. One of the main reasons for this is the distro's default visual aesthetic, which is pretty similar to Windows 7 and makes the folks switching from Windows feel at home. It has a familiar Start menu, taskbar, and system tray as well as a similar workflow. So, if you want a distro that looks like Windows 7, it's hard to go wrong with Zorin OS.


It's based on Ubuntu LTS releases, which provide a solid base, and features a customized version of the GNOME desktop environment. It also comes fairly feature-packed out of the box, and you get pre-installed apps like a web browser, office suite, email client, and media player. There is also a built-in software center that includes support for both Snap and Flatpak packages.


Zorin OS also comes with an "Appearance" tool that allows you to customize the different elements of the visual aesthetic, including allowing you to choose from select preset layouts. While the Zorin OS free version, known as Zorin Core, comes with only four preset layouts, you can get six more with the Pro variants. However, if you're only looking for the Windows 7 aesthetic, Zorin Core is sufficient.


Another highlight of Zorin OS is the Windows App Support package that you can install from the Software client to run Windows applications. It uses Wine and Bottles tools to provide the required compatibility. Moreover, Zorin OS itself recommends Linux alternatives to popular Windows apps so that you won't need to rely on Windows apps. For example, while trying to install Paint.net, it suggested Pinta, another capable image editor and painting app that has a Linux version.Pinta


Why You Should Consider Zorin OS

Zorin OS's Windows 7-like aesthetic is refined and looks modern.

You can easily switch layouts with the Zorin Appearance tool.

Why Zorin OS Might Not Be Right for You

It's not a direct clone of the Windows 7 design.

If you want granular customizations.

Minimum Requirements

1GHz dual-core processor

1.5GB of RAM

15GB of available disk space

Download

Download Zorin OS (Core)

https://zorin.com/os/download/


As I have explored, you can get your dose of retro Windows without giving up the convenience of modern computing with these distros. Depending on which Windows version's visual aesthetic you're looking for, you can download one of the options mentioned above and install it on your machine. If you're new to Linux distros, our "how to install Linux" guide can help with the installation process.

Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/these-linux-distros-look-like-your-favorite-retro-windows-os

August 9, 2025

3 Ways to Test a Linux Distro Without Using a USB Drive

You might think that booting a Linux live USB is the only way to test a distro out on your computer. There are actually several ways to try out a new Linux distro that are easier than booting to a USB. Here are three methods you can use to trial various Linux distros on your current computer.



3Virtual Machine

Virtual machines are a great way to test an operating system on your desktop. Essentially, with a virtual machine, you are running a computer within your computer.

This allows you to run just about any operating system without having to reboot. I’ve used virtual machines in the past to test out Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian, and several other Linux operating systems over the years.


There are pros and cons to using a virtual machine to test a Linux distro before installing it. The biggest con is that it shares resources with your host operating system. If your computer is a bit older, or maybe you just don’t have a lot of spare resources, then the experience might not be as fluid as it could be.

https://www.howtogeek.com/what-are-virtual-machines-and-how-do-they-work/


However, if your system has plenty of extra resources, you dedicate enough RAM and CPU cores to the virtual machine for it to feel fluid. This delivers a similar experience to installing the OS natively and allows you to experience whether the distro itself is fluid or not.

Virtual machines do provide a full desktop experience of just about any Linux distro that you can get your hands on though, making it the most versatile method of testing Linux on this list.

Plus, with virtual machines, you can even spin up operating systems that wouldn’t be compatible with your current hardware, like DOS, older versions of Debian (pre-2005), and even legacy versions of Windows like Windows XP if you have a disc for it.

2DistroSea



The easiest way to test out a new Linux distro is to use DistroSea. This website offers 60+ Linux distributions that can run right in your browser.

https://distrosea.com/

As it’s been years since I’ve run 
Linux Mint, I accessed a Linux Mint virtual machine on DistroSea while writing this article. Marked as a “popular” distro, I was logged into a machine in under five minutes.

The experience itself was fluid, though the machine was a bit laggy. DistroSea is using noVNC to remote you into the machine. This works well enough to test out a Linux distro on the surface, but the experience left me wanting a bit more fluidity.

Overall, I’m very impressed with DistroSea, and it’s absolutely a great way to test out Linux without any overhead. You don’t have to install anything, download any ISOs, or install any software.

Simply click on the distro that you want, choose the version, and then click “Start.” When it’s your turn, you do have to hit one more button, Continue, to actually launch into the system. From there, it takes a few seconds to configure the system and then you’re ready to go.

Just keep in mind DistroSea is limited to the Linux distros that the maintainers make available. So, if you want to try any of the more obscure versions of Linux out there, then DistroSea might not be the best tool for you.

Additionally, I should acknowledge that I did my testing on a gigabit internet connection. Since DistroSea is connecting you remotely, your mileage will vary depending on your connection strength.

1Docker

Docker is an extremely versatile program. While I primarily use it to run services in my homelab, Docker is definitely capable of running just about any Linux distro you want in a container.

https://www.howtogeek.com/733522/docker-for-beginners-everything-you-need-to-know/


The default setup for most Docker containers is terminal access only, but you can totally set up things like noVNC, which is the same software that DistroSea uses. This allows you to access a normal graphical user interface on your container as if it was a traditional desktop.

While you can 
build your own Docker containers with just about any Linux base you want, finding pre-built and pre-configured desktop images can be a challenge.

LinuxServer.io, one of my favorite Docker container developers, actually have a selection of containers for this very purpose, however. The drawback is there are only Alpine, Arch, Debian, Enterprise Linux, Fedora, and Ubuntu available through the webtop Docker container.

If you’re wanting to try one of those distros, or any others that you find available on Docker, then this is a great way to give Linux a try on your local machine. However, this isn’t Docker’s strength and might not be the most optimal way to try out various Linux distros.


There really are a lot of Linux distributions out there. Choosing the right one can be a daunting task. You should consider a few things before picking your first Linux distro though, like how you want to interact with it, how often you want to upgrade, and a few other key factors.

Once you have all that figured out, here’s a fun list of several different Linux distros to try out. Some on the list are available on Docker or through DistroSea, but all will run great in a virtual machine.

Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/ways-to-test-a-linux-distro-without-a-usb-drive


August 8, 2025

How to install Ungoogled Chromium

 What is Ungoogled Chromium:


In order to understand Ungoogled Chromium, you first need to understand some basic information on the base browser, Chromium.

Chromium is the open-source engine and framework that Google Chrome is derived from; it also functions as the upstream for well-known browsers like the Brave browser.

This does not necessarily mean that Chromium is Google Chrome.

This also does not at all mean that Chromium, as it is, is a private alternative to Google Chrome.

This gap is exactly where Ungoogled Chromium steps in.

Ungoogled Chromium is what its name implies; it is Chromium stripped of its dependencies on Google web services such as "Safe Browsing" and Google Location Service.

This improves your online privacy because it completely eliminates the "phoning home" to Google servers - something that even regular Chromium does.

For example, "Safe Browsing" sends data of the sites you visit to Google to ensure that these sites are "safe." This feature sounds good, but if you follow your standard internet safety checklists, you'll be pretty good at avoiding obviously "unsafe" sites.

The privacy issue with a "Safe Browsing" web search is that Google you're feeding the G machine free information. You can bet that they are recording what sites you visit, when you visit them, how often you visit them, and etc.

Ungoogled Chromium also removes the Google (and other Big Data/Big Tech) defaults.

For example, regular Chromium sets your browser's default search engine to Google. Ungoogled Chromium's default is its "No Search" feature.

Forewarning

While Ungoogled Chromium is a solid Chromium-based browser for privacy, you should be aware that it is not without its faults, which could compromise the general user experience, such as:

Maintained by a small group of developers

Patches come out slower than for standard Chromium (NOTE: Despite this, the developers are very good at being speedy in applying released security updates to the source code)

Binaries are created by volunteers. (This is also a warning that can be found on Ungoogled Chromium's GitHub download page.)

How to install on Linux

Most Linux users also have a couple of different ways to install Ungoogled Chromium. By far the easiest method to accomplish this would be to use Flatpak.

As previously explained, Flatpak has broad support for many different Linux flavors out there. Some distros, such as Linux Mint, have Flatpak installed by default. For those that don't have Flatpak already installed, you will need to install it prior to using this method to install Ungoogled Chromium.

Once Flatpak is installed on your system, you must add the Flathub repo (assuming it has not already been added) using this command: flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

1-Now we're ready for our system to install Ungoogled Chromium: flatpak install flathub com.github.Eloston.UngoogledChromium

Linux users who do not wish to use Flatpak (depending on the distro) can use the source to build their own Ungoogled Chromium package here .

Alternatively, Linux users can also make use of the volunteer binaries for their particular distro.

When using the binaries, if your distro doesn't have a graphical interface to handle the installation for you, then you can always use the terminal to install everything.

Source: https://avoidthehack.com/how-to-install-configure-ungoogled-chromium#linux


2-Download the Google Web Store CRX file:
https://github.com/NeverDecaf/chromium-web-store/releases

3- Set chrome://flags/#extension-mime-request-handling to Always prompt for install and relaunch.



Alternate How to get it:

For those that want to try running an Ungoogled (Google tracking removed) version of Chromium, you can download it from the Snap Store or head here for a direct download. Enjoy.

https://flathub.org/apps/com.github.Eloston.UngoogledChromium

https://ungoogled-software.github.io/ungoogled-chromium-binaries/

May 20, 2025

20 Best Xfce Themes | Customize Xfce Desktop For Modern Look

 Theming and customization is a huge aspect of the Linux world. No other operating system offers such kind of flexibility in customizing the desktop. Every desktop environment is great for customizing the look of the Linux system. The Xfce desktop environment is no exception. Instead, it has a massive library of themes and large community support. They are consistently developing Xfce themes for your desktop. Installing and customizing Xfce themes for Linux is also very easy. This article is going to be a handbook for Xfce desktop customization and tweaks.

Best Xfce Themes for Linux


The huge Xfce themes library leads to the biggest confusion of choosing the best Xfce themes for one’s desktop. No one can try out every free theme and experiment with them. But we got you covered. We have enlisted the best 20 Xfce themes here to get you started with the Linux customization game. Though the taste of every individual is different, we believe that this list will be sufficient for anyone to give their desktop a gorgeous and unique look.

1. PRO Dark


PRO Dark - Xfce themes

PRO Dark is one of the most popular Xfce themes for Linux. It is compatible with any version of the Xfce desktop environment since it has three different editions for different versions of GTK and Thunar file manager.

It is very clean and doesn’t strain the eyes. This is why it is very useful for those who use their desktop regularly. GTK2 and GTK3 applications look no different in this theme. Users can customize different aspects of this theme. PRO Dark uses the Xfwm window manager as the compositor.

Download

2. Prof


Prof

Prof is a simple and minimalist theme for the Xfce desktop environment. The author of the theme is “PaulXfce,” and is famous for another popular theme PRO Dark. The motto of the creator is to create such kind themes that do not cause any strain on the eyes. So, you will see that this theme doesn’t have modern dark color schemes.

Rather it uses a light color scheme and clean typography. It has a translucent application launcher and notification panel, which has a black tint on to that. The custom icons make it a beautiful flat Xfce theme for the admirers of flat design language.

Download

3. Dots Theme


Dots Theme

Dots is a popular flat theme for Linux. This Xfce theme will not completely change the look of your desktop environment. It will only change the window panels. There are two color schemes, black, and white used in this theme. The title bar buttons will be replaced by red, green and blue in the white variant.

In the dark variant, all the buttons will be gray colored. You can separately control the color scheme of the background and title bar color. The users can enter into the Linux Window Manager and apply this amazing theme.

Download

4. OneColor


OneColor

OneColor is an interesting Xfce theme for Linux users. It is very simple and lightweight. It will bring a unique and colorful attire to your window title bar. The buttons will look just like the buttons from Windows operating system. But the design is a bit rounded, which we see in the material design language of the Android operating system.

It will give a modern flat look to your desktop. You can choose from six different bright and bold colors for the window title bar and border, such as red, blue, yellow, green, orange, and violet. It has a HiDPI version for 4K displays and is an XXL version for the touch screen devices included with the package. You can set it up with solid flat colored wallpapers to get a minimal desktop setup.

Download

5. McOS CTLina


McOS CTLina

This is a clone of Cupertino’s flagship operating system. It is based on the latest version of macOS named Catalina. The creator tried to replicate every detail to give almost the same look and feel of macOS for the Linux users. It has two different variants that are dark and light.

This theme works great with the latest Xfce version 4.14. The default application icons are customized to look like Apple’s icons. This theme also changes the look of the title bar and buttons. You can move the taskbar to the top of the screen and add a dock panel to get the complete macOS feeling.

Download

6. City


City - Xfce arc theme

The City is a beautiful and elegant dark theme for the Xfce desktop. It effectively changes the color of the title bar and window panel. This theme is from the same author who created the OneColor theme. The buttons and icons of this theme are similar to those on OneColor. But unlike OneColor, it doesn’t pain the whole title bar.

Rather it colors the close button, window title, and window borders. There are more than ten variants of this theme, including Wine, Grass, Ocean, Ruby, Emerald, etc. There is an additional version of this theme that doesn’t include any preset color. Users can freely customize the color of their choice.

Download

7. Arctodon


Arctodon - Xfce theme manager

Arctodon is a simple changemaker for the Xfwm window manager, a default for the Xfce desktop environment. For this reason, this theme changes the look of the window and title bar of different applications. It is one of the best add on for the popular Arc theme. It also looks good with the Qogir theme.

The title bar buttons are flat with colored highlights. The title bar icons look like old-school Windows XP icons. But the total attire of this theme is quite modern and eye-soothing. It has both dark and light variants to choose from.

Download

8. Plano


Plano - Xfce themes

Plano is a neat and clean Xfce flat theme. This window manager theme is highly inspired by Microsoft’s very own Windows OS. It has three different variants, including Normal, Modern, and XP. The latest XP variant brings back the classic maximize button along with 2px borders.

On the other hand, the Modern variant is borderless to bring an immersive vibe to the window panels. Users can use Alt+RMB+drag to change the window size in the Modern variant. This flat theme has three different colored versions called Fixed, Blue, and Dark.

Download

9. Pop


Pop - Xfce themes

Pop is a simple and minimal theme for the Xfce desktop environment. It is highly inspired by the Pop GTK theme from the Pop! OS. It has two variants that are light and dark. The dark variant is the default and normal variant for this theme. The title bar buttons are placed nicely in this theme.

The icons are inspired by material design language. There is rounded padding on the close button. The active and inactive windows show different colors on their exit buttons. You can set it up with the Pop GTK theme to get a complete experience of the theme.

Download

10. Neon Knights


Neon Knights - Best Xfce themes

Neon Knights is a modern-looking theme inspired by neon light design. It looks beautiful with complete dark or pitch-black backgrounds. The title bar buttons have a very minimal appearance in this theme. There are two different variants for the button icons. One set is rounded with less detail, and another set has got a better detail on them.

There are several customization colors for the theme, including blue, green, red, yellow, and orange. The author of this theme recommends Neon Knights GTK theme, Neon Knights folder icons, and Neon Knights wallpapers two used with this window manager theme.

Download

11. Azenis


Azenis - Xfce theme manager

Azenis is a different-looking theme. It has a futuristic techno vibe. The window of applications has beveled edges. The title bar is quite modern and beautiful. The buttons have got a 3D effect on them. The title bar has a carbon fiber texture painted on it. The default typeface is a modern designed san serif font.

For this reason, the total setup will remind you of the supercomputer from a sci-fi movie. The window panels and title bars can be customized through the window manager software. The improved version of this theme has repositioned title bars and bold borders with more ergonomic spacing.

Download

12. Ninja


Ninja - Best Xfce themes

Ninja is one of the most vibrant looking Xfce themes for Linux. But it was originally developed for the Windows operating system. Later it was ported for Linux distributions. This theme is all black, but its orange accent helps it to bring a bold and elegant look into it.

You can easily customize the toggle buttons and other aspects by using the Xfce theme manager. The folder icons have a stainless steel-like metallic texture on them. It is also compatible with the popular customization tool, A Widget Factory.

Download

13. Alien Evolution


Alien Evolution - Xfce theme manager

It is a very popular theme for Linux. It is highly inspired by a Windows paid skin named Alienware Evolution. The theme has a dark color scheme with a blue accent. But the background of the applications has a light cyan tint. All of the title bar buttons use the same icons, and there is no visible difference between them.

This thing can confuse some users. The window panel borders have a beautiful design. The windows are not rectangular, like other Xfce themes. Instead, the unconventional look will make your desktop setup unique and gorgeous.

Download

14. CopperDeck


CopperDeck - Xfce arc theme

CopperDeck is a heavily customized appearance for the Xfce desktop environment. It has an orange accent on its dark background. The default application icons and folder icons are heavily customized to blend with this theme. The folder icons are metallic textured.

The buttons have fine detailed highlights and shadows so that it brings some depth to the design. The theme is very clean and has enough ergonomic spacing though the creator tried to keep it compact. Very few themes are as complete and versatile as this theme. Those who want a robotic vibe into their desktop can give it a shot.

Download

15. Hitori


Hitori - Xfce flat theme

It is a newly released flat theme for Linux. Hitori is a very simple and minimal theme compatible with the latest version of the Xfce desktop environment. It is an Xfwm window manager theme that matches the color palette of the popular GTK theme Adapta.

The title bar of the theme is blended with the main background because it has a borderless material design. The title bar buttons are rounded and flat. The button arrangements, window title alignment, and title bar font style can be adjusted using the Xfce theme manager.

Download

16. Midnight


Midnight - Best Xfce themes

Midnight is one of the most popular Xfce themes for Linux. The author created it on the base of the popular GTK theme Arc. It is fully compatible with the Xfwm4 window manager. The title bar buttons have bold and bright colors, just like the macOS. The application background, title bar, and search bar have different color schemes.

There are five different color variants of this theme: Red, Orange, Green, Gray, and Blue. Each color variant has both light and dark modes from which the users can choose their favorite one.

Download

17. Futurist-Hackerist


Futurist-Hackerist - Xfce flat theme

As the name suggests, this theme will bring a futuristic hacker vibe to your desktop. It will remind you of the popular video game Watchdogs. This theme is compatible with the Xfce desktop environment. The backgrounds have a dark blue tint.

The inactive window has cyan borders, while the active window will be visible with glowing green borders. The title bar buttons have a hexagonal shape, which is kind of unconventional. But the overall look and feel of the theme are pretty classy.

Download

18. Cyanogen


Cyanogen - Xfce arc theme

Cyanogen is a complete theme package for Linux. It works great with the Xfce desktop environment. You have to install Adwaita and Murrine theme engines before installing this theme. It has got another version named Cyanogen Mini for the smaller screen devices.

The windows, app icons, wallpapers, launcher, and almost everything is painted with Cyan color in this theme. The color is refreshing and eye-soothing. The buttons, menu, borders, and other aspects can be customized using the software named A Widget Factory.

Download

19. Chr-title-buttons


Chr-title-buttons

This theme resembles the title button of Google’s very own Chrome OS. This is a full HD version, and this is why it looks great, even on large displays. Adapta and Arc are two of the very popular Linux desktop themes. Chr-title-buttons has two extra variants that blend with Adapta and Arc themes. The original variant has blue, gray, and dark buttons to suit best with any flat themes out there. This modern Xfce theme will be like by every minimal setup lover.

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20. JacWin10


JacWin10 - Xfce flat theme

JacWin10 stands for “Just a copy of Windows 10.” As the name suggests, this theme resembles the visual aspects of Microsoft’s Windows 10. If anyone wants to get back to a familiar Windows look, this is the best option to go for. The developer tried to replicate even the fine details as far as he could.

The layout of this theme is fixed for the Xfwm window manager to resemble Windows 10 correctly. Application icon and window title are left-aligned, while the Maximize, minimize, and close buttons are right-aligned. You can set this up with Windows 10 icon pack to get the full experience.

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How to Customize the Look of Xfce Themes


The default look of the Xfce desktop environment is not bad. But if you want your desktop to look even cooler, you can customize the look by downloading Xfce themes and tweaking them. The above list has some great themes to get started with the customization of the Xfce desktop. You can even use some third-party applications like the Xfce theme manager to tweak the theme. Now it’s time to learn how to get gorgeous desktop attire.

1. Downloading the Theme File


Home Directory of Xfce

Firstly, you have to download the theme file from your desired website. You can use the download buttons of the above list to download the best Xfce themes. Normally the theme files are in a compressed file format like ZIP, RAR, GZ, etc. For this reason, you have to extract the files in your desired directory after downloading them by using any of your favorite extractor software.

2. Applying the Desired Theme


Appearance Settings

For applying the downloaded Xfce themes, you have to place the extracted files into the .theme folder located in your home directory. Then, open the Settings app and go to Appearance > Style. Here you will find all the installed themes, including the one you have recently downloaded and placed inside the .theme folder. Just select the theme, and you are done. Now log out of your account and log back in to see the changes.

3. Tweaking the Applied Theme


Changing Wallpaper

Different themes bring different changes to your overall look. The out of the box theme package won’t change everything on your desktop. You may want to change the wallpaper, fonts and set up custom matching icons to bring completeness in your desktop customization.

To change the wallpaper, right-click on the desktop and click on Desktop Settings. Choose Background from the folder option and select your desired wallpaper. There are thousands of free wallpapers available on the internet. You can always download and apply them.

Changing Icons

Customizing the icons brings a huge change to the overall look. You can download your favorite icon packs, just like the themes from the internet, after downloading the icon file extract and put it in your home directory under the .icons directory. Then go to Settings > Appearance > Icons to select that icon theme. You can even change the typeface of your system, just like this method.

Wrapping Things Up


Linux distributions offer a huge customization option. The Xfce desktop environment is no different. Those who have to work on a computer regularly can get bored seeing the same old desktop. Trying out new themes is like reshuffling the furniture of your living room. It will drive you away from the monotony. The above list of the best Xfce themes will give your desktop a new life. Just install and try them out.

As you saw that, installing themes and tweaking the look is not rocket science. Anyone with basic navigation knowledge of Linux can do it. When you get stuck, the above guide is always here to accompany your customization journey. Share your favorite Xfce themes in the comment below, or if you are a theme developer, don’t forget to share your creation with us.

Source: https://www.ubuntupit.com/best-xfce-themes-for-linux/