Hate Windows 11's Vibe? Make It Look More Like Linux Or Macos - Here's How

2 months ago

The Seelen UI desktop connected Windows 11.

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

Seelen UI is simply a desktop situation for Windows.
With this app, you tin execute a Linux aliases MacOS look.
Seelen UI is free to usage and instal connected Windows 10/11.

As a longtime Linux user, my sentiment of nan Windows UI has ne'er really wavered: I deliberation it's beautiful dismal. Given that Linux has a cornucopia of desktop environments from which to choose, it makes cleanable consciousness that personification who enjoys a bully artistic would look astatine Windows and snub it for illustration a feline snubs nan caller nutrient you conscionable bought.

When I received a laptop to reappraisal that ran Windows 11 (and, for immoderate overseas reason, wouldn't fto maine footwear from a USB thrust truthful I could instal Linux), 1 of my first thoughts was, "How do I make this much pleasant for myself?"

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I remembered that developers -- years agone -- were creating "skins" to make Windows look a spot much pleasing for those of america who care. There were respective of these nosy projects, but eventually, they started to dice off.

Still, I thought, location has to beryllium thing retired there.

Then I recovered Seelen UI, a afloat customizable desktop situation for Windows.

I'm not gonna lie: It's beautiful cool. (Coming from a hard-core Linux user, that's saying something.) According to nan Seelen UI GitHub page, it's a instrumentality "designed to heighten your Windows desktop acquisition pinch a attraction connected customization and productivity. It integrates smoothly into your system, providing a scope of features that let you to personalize your desktop and optimize your workflow." Sounds astir right.

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I installed Seelen UI connected that Windows 11 laptop, and I was giddy pinch nan results. No, I'm not leaving Linux because of this nifty desktop environment. But I americium present to say: If you dislike nan look and consciousness of nan Windows 11 desktop, Seelen UI is precisely what you want.

Why you should springiness Seelen UI a try

First off, Seelen UI is truthful overmuch much visually pleasing than nan default Windows desktop. Beyond nan aesthetics, you besides get things like:

The action to usage tiling windows
A wide array of configuration options
An integrated media module
An intuitive measurement to quickly entree applications and commands
Different themes, taskbar layouts, and icons

Installation is simple

Because this is simply a Windows app, nan installation is rather simple. The easiest (and recommended) method is to find Seelen UI successful nan Microsoft App Store and instal it from there. You tin besides download nan binary installer (make judge to snag nan latest version), double-click connected nan downloaded file, and locomotion done nan installation wizard.

One point to support successful mind is that Seelen UI must person some Microsoft Edge and WebView installed for it to work. WebView is installed by default successful Windows 11, but it has to beryllium installed if you're moving Windows 10. The bully news is that WebView is included successful nan installer, truthful make judge it's enabled during installation (for Windows 10).

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After installation, motorboat nan app and locomotion done nan instructive Welcome wizard.

Now, earlier I continue, I want to authorities a peculiar informing that Windows users are astir apt accustomed to. There are a batch of third-party plugins and themes available. As pinch immoderate portion of Windows software, please usage be aware because you ne'er cognize if what you're installing will person a malicious payload on for nan ride. That's not to opportunity Seelen UI falls nether that category, but anytime I constitute astir installing thing connected Windows, I consciousness it basal to authorities that warning.

That being said…

Customizing Seelen UI

The customization of Seelen UI is reasonably straightforward. You'll find an app called Seelen UI successful your Windows launcher. Click that launcher to unfastened nan Seelen UI settings manager, wherever you tin make each sorts of changes and adhd caller modules and themes. I added nan Round Toolbar theme, nan (Almost) Liquid Glass (ala MacOS Tahoe) Dockbar theme, and nan Round Toolbar theme. Together, those 3 themes made for a alternatively Budgie-like desktop.

For those who don't know, Budgie is simply a beautiful and highly configurable Linux desktop environment.

I besides enabled nan Fancy Toolbar, which allows you to customize nan topbar and Dock/Taskbar.

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After I added aliases enabled those themes, nan Windows 11 desktop abruptly became an wholly different beast -- 1 that I didn't mind using.

You could walk a batch of clip customizing Seelen UI, but erstwhile you get your desktop precisely really you for illustration it, you'll beryllium gladsome you made nan effort.

If you're stuck utilizing Windows but detest nan measurement nan desktop looks and feels, springiness Seelen UI a effort and spot if it doesn't make nan clip you walk connected Windows a spot much pleasant.