My Linux Desktop Setup: Windows 11 Style!

Hey everyone! I wanted to share my personal Linux desktop setup with you. Now, I know this might not be everyone's cup of tea, but this is how I like to use Linux. Yep, you guessed it – I've styled it to look like Windows 11!

I've been experimentin' with Linux for over a year now, and I even thought about switchin' over completely from Windows. I love how customizable and open-source Linux is. However, I've found that some of the app limitations and other quirks mean it's not quite ready to replace Windows, ya know, for what I need. Adding a brief personal anecdote here could make the post more relatable. For example: 'I remember the first time I installed a Linux distro... it was a bit of a learning curve, but the ability to customize everything blew me away!'

That bein' said, I still enjoy usin' Linux to try out new stuff and learn. And when I'm on Linux, I like to make it my own.

The Beauty of Linux: Customization

One of the best things about Linux is how incredibly flexible it is. You can make it look and feel however you want – whether that's a Mac or Windows style, or somethin' totally unique.

Personally, I found myself missin' the Windows layout, especially the Windows 11 start menu. I know some folks prefer the Mac OS style with its full-screen app launcher, but I like havin' a compact start menu that lets me quickly search for and open applications without takin' up the whole screen.

I mainly use the GNOME desktop environment. While there are other environments like KDE and Cinnamon that also give you a Windows-like experience, I've found GNOME to be more polished and stable, in my experience.

How I Made My Linux Look Like Windows 11

So, how did I get this Windows 11-style layout on GNOME? It's actually pretty easy!

Here's whatcha need:

1. Extension Manager: This app lets you easily install and manage GNOME extensions. You can download it from Flathub: https://flathub.org/apps/com.mattjakeman.ExtensionManager

2. GNOME Extensions: You'll specifically need these two extensions:

   • Dash to Panel: This one turns the GNOME dash into a more traditional taskbar, kinda like the one in Windows. Get it here: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1160/dash-to-panel/

   • Arc Menu: This replaces the default GNOME applications menu with a more versatile one, and lets you set it up to look like the Windows 11 start menu. Check it out here: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/3628/arcmenu/

Once you've got Extension Manager installed, just search for "Dash to Panel" and "Arc Menu" and install 'em. Then, enable the extensions and set 'em up how you like. Arc Menu, in particular, has a bunch of layout options, including a Windows 11-style menu. Adding a bit more detail about the configuration process would be helpful. For example: 'Once installed, enable them in Extension Manager. For Dash to Panel, you might want to adjust the panel height and icon size. In Arc Menu, select the 'Modern Menu' layout for the Windows 11 style.'

I also use an extension called "Resource Monitor" to keep an eye on my system's RAM and CPU usage. There are a ton of other extensions out there, so feel free to explore and customize your desktop even more!

I have also made a video in this topic so watch the video down below for more information.

Check out my other posts, I post useful tutorials and tech tips, maybe you will find something useful 😉.