The screenshot you see to a higher place looks like it's of Windows seven but information technology'due south actually merely a Windows seven theme for Linux Mint.

Pretty impressive, huh?

Nosotros've shown you how to brand Linux Mint expect like a Mac before and so aping the advent of a rival operating system while not to everyone's tastes is something you lot already know is possible.

Just we've never really touched on how to make this distro expect like Windows. And Linux Mint is the ideal starting point if you desire to do that because information technology looks and behaves more similar Windows than regular Ubuntu does.

So with Windows 7 support at an stop, and lots of users debating a switch to Linux Mint, it feels like a good fourth dimension to share this (surprisingly simple) how to.

Windows 7 Linux Mint Theme

For an accurate looking Linux Mint Windows seven theme we can plough to the fab design team at the B00merang Project.

They've crafted a competent copy of the Windows 7 UI for the Cinnamon desktop (the theme will also work on other desktops too, with varying results).

Download Windows 7 GTK Theme

Assuming you lot're running a recent-ish version of Linux Mint (or a dissimilar distro with the Cinnamon desktop installed) your beginning stride is to download the following Windows 7 theme pack:

Download Windows seven Theme Pack

Let the archive fully download and then, using your file director, locate the .zip file you just got and excerpt it in to a new folder.

Next, in another file manager window, open the .themes directory in your Home binder. Remember: to see (or hide) hidden "dot files" you need to press ctrl + h.

Don't run across a .themes folder? Get ahead and create one, simply remember to include the . in the folder proper name, and stick to lowercase!

Copy the extracted binder in to here to install the Windows seven theme pack.

Linux Mint makes it very super easy to change theme: open the Mint Carte du jour to search for and open "Themes". Set the Windows 7 GTK theme for Window borders, Controls, and Desktop.

Download Windows seven Icon Set

That's the theme washed, only we can go further. To help round out the Windows 7 look y'all should utilize an Windows 7 icon set — which, hurrah, the B00merang project also provide:

Download Windows vii Icon Set up

Download and extract the .aught file above and movement the extracted directory (not the cypher file) to the subconscious .icons binder in Habitation.

Don't run across a .icons binder? Go alee and create one, simply call back to include the . in the folder proper name, and stick to lowercase!

In one case washed, pop open the "Themes" tool again prepare 'icons' to the Windows 7 pack you lot just added.

Finishing touches

By now your desktop will look a lot like the 'real deal' you encounter above — just there are a few other tweaks you tin can make to round off the experience.

First is calculation a Showtime Menu clone. Now, I personally adopt the default Mint Card over anything else only I take that it doesn't "expect the part".

And then, to replace the Mint Carte du jour with a Windows seven Outset Menu clone:

  • Right-click on the panel and select "Add Applets"
  • Select the "Download" tab
  • Search for and install "Start Menu"
  • Click the install icon for "CinnVIIStarkMenu"
  • Switch back to the Manage section and add together the applet

Use "Panel Edit" mode to reposition the Commencement Menu clone where you want it (i.eastward. on the far left) — only call up to turn panel edit manner off later as information technology'due south non automated. If you lot don't, you'll be frustrated that nothing on the panel seems to respond!

Finally, to seal the deal, yous'll want to download a dainty high quality version of the Windows seven wallpaper to prepare as your desktop background (shortcut: right-click on the paradigm file in the file manager and select 'Ready as Groundwork').

Download Windows seven Wallpaper (HD)

There y'all accept information technology; a safety and secure Linux Mint system that looks a lot similar Windows vii but, mercifully, isn't Windows vii!