Linux Could Even Look Like Windows If It Wanted To

Published on December 1, 2009 in Eye Candy, Software by Rami Taibah

I know, I know, why would you want to do that? Well maybe so you can trick your mother into thinking she’s on Windows and save yourself the obligatory bi-yearly tune-up. Or maybe you want to ease your friend into a Linux conversion. Or maybe just because “why not?”

In any case, I firmly believe that most people are afraid of Linux because they just don’t want to get out of their comfort zone. Linux on the desktop is perfectly capable of doing everyday tasks, and it does it more efficiently and securely. I know I have been using Linux exclusively for years.

A young Linux enthusiast that goes by the name PhrankDaChicken has created a script that will fully theme your Ubuntu desktop into an XP one.

Just download the tar.gz file, Right-click it and select “Extract Here”, then run the “InstallXpGnome.sh” by double-clicking it and choosing “Run”!

Wanna revert back? No problem! Just run the Restore_Settings.sh script in the restore folder.

Stay tuned for the reverse Howto: Theming XP to look like Ubuntu. And don’t forget to subscribe and follow me on Twitter!

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About

Rami Taibah the founder of The Linuxologist and a self proclaimed geek and Linux aficionado. This fall, he will be pursuing an MIMS degree at UC Berkeley, California. You can follow him on Twitter @rtaibah.

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  • icefyre127

    I just read through the script. Very easy to read, does exactly what it's supposed to. If anyone has any doubts just read it, anyone with even a tiny understanding of scripting or programming can understand it. All it does is repeat many basic commands.

    This is a great script, it will make it much easier for me to introduce my clients to an alternative OS and make their computers more reliable and secure.

    Thank you for the hard work that went into developing this!

  • ratbox
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  • icefyre127

    How come this shell script makes Ubuntu look like Windows XP with no problems but Mac4Lin requires a million steps to make Ubuntu look like a Mac? Does anyone know if there is a simple script that makes ubuntu look like a mac? if there isn't I'll make one based on this script with different theme files.

    • http://linuxologist.com Rami Taibah

      Thats a valid question really. Someone will probably scripts Windows 7 and Macs :)

  • icefyre127

    How come this shell script makes Ubuntu look like Windows XP with no problems but Mac4Lin requires a million steps to make Ubuntu look like a Mac? Does anyone know if there is a simple script that makes ubuntu look like a mac? if there isn't I'll make one based on this script with different theme files.

  • icefyre127

    How come this shell script makes Ubuntu look like Windows XP with no problems but Mac4Lin requires a million steps to make Ubuntu look like a Mac? Does anyone know if there is a simple script that makes ubuntu look like a mac? if there isn't I'll make one based on this script with different theme files.

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  • http://linuxologist.com Rami Taibah

    Glad someone found a real use for it. Most comments on Digg were negative, neutral, or just your everyday ass-hat-ery.

    Tell me how it goes with your clients, I am really interested in this subject. Is the “fear” of Linux just some silly cosmetics?

    Oh btw, I am just a messenger in this, I didn't develop this script at all. PhrankDaChicken did :) (link in the post)

  • http://linuxologist.com Rami Taibah

    Glad someone found a real use for it. Most comments on Digg were negative, neutral, or just your everyday ass-hat-ery.

    Tell me how it goes with your clients, I am really interested in this subject. Is the “fear” of Linux just some silly cosmetics?

    Oh btw, I am just a messenger in this, I didn't develop this script at all. PhrankDaChicken did :) (link in the post)

  • http://linuxologist.com Rami Taibah

    Thats a valid question really. Someone will probably scripts Windows 7 and Macs :)

  • http://linuxologist.com Rami Taibah

    Thats a valid question really. Someone will probably scripts Windows 7 and Macs :)

  • adultdating

    The problem is not the look, it's the software compatibility, like .doc files and the million of programs that run with windows. The need seamless emulator before Linux can compete.

    • http://linuxologist.com Rami Taibah

      OpenOffice can easily handle .doc files, no problem there.

      Besides most programs on MS have a worthy alternative, if not better.

      • akita16384

        Yes, except that OO don't always handle layout – format correctly. Not blaming OO or FOSS here, but just pointing out the situation. I have Jaunty installed on all my machines with OO, but recently I started using Google docs for working on a collaborative word doc with someone else running XP.

        For some reason, Google docs handle layout and format better than OO. Beats me why, but less artifacts and misalignments.

        • ziggyfish

          When was the last time you used OO?

          Version 3.0 and 3.1 have dramatically increased support for .doc and .docx.

  • http://www.theadultworld.com Adult Dating

    The problem is not the look, it's the software compatibility, like .doc files and the million of programs that run with windows. The need seamless emulator before Linux can compete.

  • http://www.theadultworld.com Adult Dating

    The problem is not the look, it's the software compatibility, like .doc files and the million of programs that run with windows. The need seamless emulator before Linux can compete.

  • http://linuxologist.com Rami Taibah

    OpenOffice can easily handle .doc files, no problem there.

    Besides most programs on MS have a worthy alternative, if not better.

  • http://linuxologist.com Rami Taibah

    OpenOffice can easily handle .doc files, no problem there.

    Besides most programs on MS have a worthy alternative, if not better.

  • TheOriginalLiz

    Okay … seeing my nice, sane Ubuntu beast morph into Windows XP was a little scary….

    • http://twitter.com/rtaibah Rami Taibah

      Yeah thats the same feeling I got when I first found this script (and video.) Then thought, woah this just shows how flexible Linux is!

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  • Anonymous

    why on earth would ANYONE want to install Linux and make it look like Windows? That is extremely counter intuitive.

    • TheOriginalLiz

      Kind of like dressing up for the Renaissance Festival – fun for a lark, but not something most people from this century would want as a day in day out lifestyle.

  • akita16384

    Yes, except that OO don't always handle layout – format correctly. Not blaming OO or FOSS here, but just pointing out the situation. I have Jaunty installed on all my machines with OO, but recently I started using Google docs for working on a collaborative word doc with someone else running XP.

    For some reason, Google docs handle layout and format better than OO. Beats me why, but less artifacts and misalignments.

  • akita16384

    Yes, except that OO don't always handle layout – format correctly. Not blaming OO or FOSS here, but just pointing out the situation. I have Jaunty installed on all my machines with OO, but recently I started using Google docs for working on a collaborative word doc with someone else running XP.

    For some reason, Google docs handle layout and format better than OO. Beats me why, but less artifacts and misalignments.

  • ireem

    I can't get back to the Ubuntu look!! I couldn't find the Restore_Settings.sh!! PLEASE I NEED HELP!!

    • http://linuxologist.com Rami Taibah

      Hey reem, sorry that this happened to you. Why don't you check the comments on the script's page, I think your solution is down there:
      http://ubuntu.online02.com/node/14

      If not, please inform me, maybe I can help you further :)

  • ireem

    there's no such restore folder! the Restore_Settings.sh is saved in the /tmp directory!
    I've runned the script twice so now I think I can't get back to my original look!
    can anyone tell me how to get back to my original look using the xml file??
    F*** WINDOW AND F*** THIS STUPID SCRIPT!

  • cblinuxeasecom

    Great, now I can trick all my friends and tell them I'm re-installing windows for them, they'll make the switch to Ultimate Edetion without knowing.

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  • amanasdaf

    Amazing man , kudos to the guy :)

  • kroon78

    I for one like the look of gnome. I would never want my linux distro to look like windows, defeats the purpose.

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  • http://hallowdemonlive.com/ Jitto P.Jose

    absolutely great… is there anything like windows 7?… i meant full script.. no tweaking..

  • dchevak

    worked great thanks Ubuntu 9.10 karmic Kernel Linux 2.6.31-18-generic I like the interface because I am use to the where the commands are located I tried generic change to make the interface placement be the same as windows so I can concentrate on work and not place of os commands I just installed it but everything seem to work great
    Thanks

  • jannik

    Not a bad idea , this is a good way to convert Windows users . For most users , the first pain is usually the icons you have to get use to . Ubuntu is probably the most user friendly system if your are use to windows and has a lot of software . Some distroes you have the feeling that the freedom left out with the lack of software in the repository.

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