How to Install Themes and Make your ubuntu desktop come alive

By | August 6, 2018

ubuntu_theme_banner_fossnaija

Sometimes added visual flavours to the Linux desktop can make the user experience all worthwhile. One way of achieving this is the use of themes; which can change desktop appearance and interactions. I will show you how to give your Linux desktop a personalized look and feel by installing themes.

NB: Ubuntu 16 Linux used in this post.

Who does not like a fanciful desktop like the – pretty much a lot, right? Linux has always been targeted as not having an appealing user interface (UI), but with the rise of many user friendly distributions (distros) such ideas have become the thing of the past.

How do you go about installing themes in ubuntu? Let me show you.

 

#1: Download some themes from the internet.

A very good source of themes are websites like OpenDesktop, noobslab and Gnome Look. The package should be in ZIP(.zip) format.

Some beautiful themes you could try out include the following:

Ultra-Flat Theme

ultra flat theme ubuntu

Numix Theme

numix-theme-for-ubuntu-linux-fossnaija

Flatabulous Theme

flatabulous-theme-fossnaija

Zutikwo

 zukwito linux  theme

#2: Extract to the system theme folder:

You can extract the downloaded theme file to the system’s theme folder (which is /usr/share/themes). You can do this using the terminal (command line interface, CLI) like this:

unzip /path/to/downloaded/theme/zip -d /usr/share/themes

#3: Set the desire theme using tweak tool.

There are two major tweak tools that are available for ubuntu; the Unity Tweak Tool and the Gnome Tweak Tool. they both perform the same function of managing and adjusting some deep system settings which are not available in the default ubuntu settings manager. Which ever you choose we serve just fine (here I used the unity tweak tool).

>> Open it

unity_tweak_tool_ubuntu_dash_fossnaija

>> Go to “Themes” under Appearance Section:

unity tweak tool

IMAGE: FOSSNAIJA.COM

>> Under available themes, you see all the themes in your “/usr/share/theme” folder. Select the one you want and then the system will apply that theme to your desktop.

gnome tweak tool available themes

IMAGE: FOSSNAIJA.COM

Voila! You can install as many themes as you like.

Enjoy!!!

 

 

Happy Linux’NG!


NEVER MISS AN UPDATE




I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information )

Join over 10,000 visitors to receive Open Source tips, trick, news, tutorials, programming and more.

We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.

ALEXANDER OMOROKUNWA
MUST READ  Why these 5 myths about the Linux command-line are false

5 thoughts on “How to Install Themes and Make your ubuntu desktop come alive

  1. Sati

    Alex, the “don’t miss an update IT’S FREE” nag window still pops up every time i visit this site even though i signed for the newsletter earlier …

    It is really annoying -.-

    Reply
      1. Sati

        Yes, thats what i did. Signed up with my email. Then came back the next day and the pop-up comes on every page.

        I was wondering, how exactly could it go away even when i have registered? IP address? Or what is the function here? It’s not like i’m “logged in” here on every visit, even though i subscribed to newsletter….

        Reply

Tell us what you think