Linux-looking Themes on Windows XP

Source and Information : techbycolin.com



I have been using Ubuntu on my laptop for quite a while now and I really enjoy it. I have opted to keep Windows on my desktop, however, because there are a few things, mainly gaming, that keep me there.

One of my favorite parts about using Linux is the visual customization available. I thought I would show you how to get a similar Linux-like look on your boring XP box.

Preparations

Before you can add custom themes to Windows, you have patch it to allow the loading of unsigned themes. There is a very simple program which you can grab from Belchfire, direct download here.

Extract the program and run it. Follow the instructions and it is simple. Be sure to hit cancel when it asks to enter the Windows CD.

Visual Styles

Now you can use the main component of your new look - custom Visual Styles. There are several you can use, but I have listed the best ones here. I recommend installing them all.

• Clearlooks - http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/18591720/
• Human (Ubuntu) - http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37743373/
• Plastik (KDE) - http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/8066296/

Each of these will come in an archive containing a folder. Extract the folder to C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes. That means the folder, not just the contents of the folder. See picture below.

You can now apply the themes you have installed. Right click on your desktop and choose Properties. Under the Appearance tab, you can select a new style of your choosing. Be sure to change the color scheme as well.

Icons

The next step is setting up icons. For this you will need the Tango Patcher. This will give your entire operating system a Tango feel. There is also the option to use the Tangerine theme from Ubuntu along with some special Tango themes such as the one from SUSE. Download and install that, picking the theme of your choice. You can preview the different themes here. This will require a restart, and you should immediately notice the difference.

Applications

Sticking with the Tango feel, you should also customize some of the applications you use to match the rest of the system.

• Firefox - https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1565/
• Thunderbird - https://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/2258/
• uTorrent - http://vertigosity.benpbrown.com/?page=apps&app=utorrent
• If you can find any other apps that allow a Tango theme to be added please tell me in the comments.

Wallpaper

This is really up to you. There is no real reason that you have to pick a Linux-style wallpaper, but I included this just to give you the idea. Here are a few sites where you can find great wallpapers.

• Gnome-look.org -Generally Gnome related
• KDE-look.org - Generally KDE related.
• Interfacelift - Tons of high-res, widescreen wallpapers.
• Google Images - Eh, why not?

Resources

I thought I should leave you with some other resources you can use to further customize Windows if you’d like.

• Deviantart.com - Great resource for all things graphic design.
• Belchfire.net - A Windows XP themes community.

My Desktop

You can also find some Open-source applications for Windows if you want to go even further.