People like to modify their OS for self satisfaction. Here are the ways Ubuntu fans can get the Ubuntu mood in their Windows XP based desktop.

Firstly, if you haven’t patch your uxtheme.dll file to enable non-Microsoft release visual style to be loaded in Windows XP, get the patch by Windows X at Softpedia . Run the file, follow the instructions, install, and reboot your computer.
Once you’ve done that, download Ubuntu Visual Style made by FioreSSJ for Windows XP at DeviantArt. Copy appropriate files in the zip file to appropriate folder. As examples:
- Files in Wallpaper folder to C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper..
- Files in Cursor folder to C:\Windows\Cursors..
- Files in Fonts folder to C:\Windows\Fonts..
and the rest to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Ubuntu (create this ‘Ubuntu’ folder yourself)..
Next, load the Visual Style by clicking the file ‘Human’. Click Apply in the Display Properties window and see the result.
The transformation that depends on Visual Style, wallpaper, cursor, and fonts only is not good enough isn’t it? Now, it’s time for the icons and other system files.
Get Tango Shell Patcher which will integrate Tangerine Icons set used by Ubuntu 6.10 into your system files as easy as installing other piece of software. Run the file and follow the instructions ahead..and voila!
You’ll get the result like this:

August 17th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Well usually linux user that want their OS looks like windows desktop.
October 16th, 2007 at 2:03 am
Balinese, Windows’ interface is ugly. I do want the Windows XP at work to look like Ubuntu, because XP is HORRIBLE.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:18 pm
That’s sad. lol
Just install ubuntu..
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:27 am
I am using ubuntu I had windows but I will try that to my brothers computer he will be surprise
November 20th, 2007 at 1:34 am
Very nice! Many thanks for this tips! I wanted to install ubuntu, but my HDD is **** so i cant install it, but i hope this will change the look of Win a little bit more to Human feeling
December 4th, 2007 at 3:43 am
Wow… Thats a waste.
./install_ubuntu – It works better.
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:52 am
great theme have install ubuntu on before,but if your a gamer sadly have to stick with xp ,but for the look great,if transgaming gets it 100% for any game for linux then i would change for sure
December 27th, 2007 at 12:16 am
This is good for someone that CAN’T install ubuntu.. I can’t because i have ATI drivers.. This is good for me…
January 10th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
You can install ubuntu if you have ATI drivers. The newest version has support (I know cause i have the ATI All-In-Wonder) (SUCKS FOR WINDOWS TO TRY AND INSTALL AND WORK 100%!!!!!)
This tutorial looks very similar to ubuntu. Though you should add to set the desktop to auto align.
Good job.
January 11th, 2008 at 1:45 am
In responce to waffles:
You CAN install ATI drivers. There is a program called ENVY. It installs ATI & nVidia drivers, along with the ATI Catalyst Control Center.
I too have the ATI X1400 card, and it runs great. OpenGL & Composite run very smooth.
IF you dont wanna use ENVY (Which, I would personally recommend), you can have the Restricted Drivers installed. That comes with the OS.
January 15th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Oh you guys are assholes.
Stop telling people that installing linux is easier, some people would love to install Linux but are restricted to Windows because of the architecture, IE: Gaming & High level rendering.
=/
The Linux vs Windows battle will surely never end, but really it comes down to this
If you want to play videogames, use Windows!
If you want to be a noob, use Mac!
If you want to be a 1337 h4×0r, use Linux!
January 30th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more aush_x.
I’ve been a Windows user since I don’t know when, and I was very interested when I entered the Linux world (People said Ubuntu was great for n00bs). It was all easy for me, but I couldn’t imagine someone with little computer experience use Linux at all. I myself now Dual Boot Windows Vista (For gaming) and Linux Ubuntu (For everyday use).
So all I have to say is stop pushing your Linux, Microsoft or Apple beliefs on people. Because in the end it’s just going to course alot of headaches.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I use Ubuntu for my everyday use and I use VMware to emulate Windows XP so I can play my games.
Better than dual booting for sure.
February 9th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Great article.
You can also download Virtual Desktop Powertools for XP at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx to get 4 virtual windows.
Direct links:
Virtual Desktop Manager: http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/DeskmanPowertoySetup.exe
Alt-Tab Replacement:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/TaskswitchPowertoySetup.exe
CMD here function: (right click on a folder and choose cmd here and it starts a cmd at that location)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/CmdHerePowertoySetup.exe
February 11th, 2008 at 1:51 am
If you like the 3d Cube (compiz/beryl) you can download Yod-m 3d (DeskSpace) http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Yod-m-3D.shtml
February 11th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
This is really fantastic, its looking very good
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:29 am
[...] To get the full story and instructions, you’ll have to read the complete guide here: http://www.bloganything.net/871/make-windows-xp-looks-like-ubuntu [...]
March 4th, 2008 at 6:42 am
I thought the article (above) was great! Certainly a unique perspective!
For those looking for Windows or proprietary software alternatives, you might try here: http://ubuntulinuxhelp.com/top-100-of-the-best-useful-opensource-applications/
It’s a worthwhile resource for us all!
March 14th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Hi there,
I just found this Ubuntu look a like theme, it’s really cool.
By the way if in case i want to UNINSTALL it from my PC and switch back to my normal theme and icons, how should I do it?
Should I remove the Tango Turbo Patcher first or what?
Can you tell me a little bit about this.
Thanks
John
March 18th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Oh that looks nice, never really looked into Ubuntu, but the designs from DA look great.
April 6th, 2008 at 9:22 am
i try me best but i can not.because the formate of the theme is in different formate which window xp wants.
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:26 am
i am very happy to whom who make this look thankssssssssssssss
May 10th, 2008 at 4:17 am
well….that’s great….for xp user to be human…..
but i require u’ll be install ubuntu on PC soon….
May 11th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I’m loving it!!. I Now have two versions of Ubuntu on my pc. The real One and the Fake one(Ubuntu Theme on Windows).
Ubuntu Rocks!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:54 am
[...] Make XP Look Like Ubuntu? May.22, 2008 in Crappy OS Tips Wha? No really, check it out. [...]
May 26th, 2008 at 5:38 am
tanks. very good.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
That’s nice, but sadly, it’s too limited…
Mostly, the people who want Ubuntu/Linux only want it for Beryl/Compiz/CompizFusion.
I cannot install any type of Linux because my motherboard rejects it. The CPU fan turns off. It has happened with a few others as well. It’s something to do with the newer kernel or something…I could install Ubuntu 5.xx
August 5th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
if you want this effect, but the real thing and not just the package, try Wubi
http://www.wubi-installer.org/
to all people not sure between linux & windows and want to find out more on differences between these two, read:
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm
(IMPORTANT: don’t skip the very first sentence on page)
@aush_x
you showed us nothing but your arrogance and how limited in thinking you are
January 17th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
dude xp is beast. ubuntu is lacking in software compatability and wine is a joke.
January 26th, 2009 at 4:23 am
xp is a beast, oh … that is why Ubuntu users don’t need to use antivirus & antispyware software. not to mention how linux is much more responsive and has much lower hardware requirements to run smoothly … or how easy you can delete “windows”, “documents and settings” and “program files” dirs … ports not closed by default, having the same dll many times in a system … so easy to destroy the system … or how it is not a true multi-user operating system?
XP is a just another game, a joke … gaming platform, nothing what I would use for serious job. Windows is to much interactive, you can’t completely automate it
I suggest you inform yourself a bit more about linux … there are great movies showing linux capabilities on youtube.com
you do things on linux different and this is interpreted as a bad, but sadly, most of the people are to lazy to learn or to afraid to experiment
for a start, read this:
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm
February 15th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Of I guess you can just run Ubuntu
Jokes aside, windows 7 looks and acts pretty close!
March 8th, 2009 at 5:04 am
i got this thing it worked but how can i remove it? i did the backup hing but it didnt work, now the icons and all those shit are dam still there!!!! how do i take it out? and there is this parser message thing i cant get rid of.
April 10th, 2009 at 2:16 am
That didn’t quite work for me… I restarted, and then it went all back to normal, so uh. :\
April 29th, 2009 at 3:31 am
any chance to get Windows XP WORK Like Ubuntu
May 5th, 2009 at 1:01 am
@a said
no, no matter what you do, XP will always be vulnerable to malware attacks and it will never be a true multi-user OS. you will always be forced to do de-fragmentation, it will be always easy to “destroy” the system (XP allows you to easily delete system files). However, you can make XP to look closely to ubuntu and you can even have cube effect on it, but that is pretty much it. look other comments above, some of them can give you good hints how to achieve that.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:01 am
i’m so interesting of this one!
so i wanna to try this one
thank for anyone who make this apliccation
October 15th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Windows work, just for my company, ubuntu work for all the world, this is like all want to have installed, but we need to work with windows.