Windows 11 was a breath of fresh air.

Based on Windows 10 and using concepts from the failed Windows 10X, Windows 11 was a delightful novelty. Its interface is undoubtedly more attractive. However, there are some areas to be finished off. In fact, the personalization section remains complicated to manage for more advanced tasks. Especially when we want to substantially change its appearance, the behavior of its components or gain access to advanced functions. Particularly those that are not directly accessible in the user interface.

How to customize Windows

This is where third-party applications come in to make our lives easier. Especially for those users who expect something more. We have a lot of variety. There are suites that allow you to customize the entire system. We also have those that affect particular aspects such as the main interface, the Start menu, the taskbar. Although, they also modify the icons or the behavior of the system. I show you some of the best for the last versions of Windows.

ThisIsWin11

This is an all-in-one type of app. Dubbed as The Real PowerToys for Windows 11. We are talking about a free, open source and really powerful tool. Indeed, it is not limited to customize visual elements, but offers settings for almost the entire system. In addition, it displays information on new features and comparisons with previous versions and automation of certain functions. It also offers improved privacy by managing telemetry and applications to reduce bloatware. It also includes a package manager, more useful and intuitive than Microsoft’s own WinGet.

Winaero Tweaker

Like the previous one, it is an all-in-one tool. It is one of the best known and most complete applications to customize Windows. Its developer gathered most of the available options in an all-in-one tool and under a single interface. It has a huge amount of features to vary visual aspects; colors; size of window borders. In addition to title bars and menus. It also includes editing of the audio and general system behavior.

Ultimate Windows Tweaker

Another of the most complete tools for tuning Windows 10. In fact, It offers more than 200 settings, privacy, and security; performance; context menus; search and more. It also works as a taskbar customization software. It even allows you to change the battery, date, and time and volume layouts. We will also be able to show or hide frequent folders and recent files, and others. Like the previous ones, it is an all-in-one tool.

Open Shell

The Windows start menu is a component that has been with us since Microsoft implemented graphical interfaces in its operating systems. Certainly, the design in Windows 7 pleased many users. However, what came next was a real fiasco. Which even led to eliminate it in Windows 8. The latest versions of Windows 10 have improved the situation. However, if you liked Windows 7 better, Open Shell is one of the best you can use. As mentioned, this is an appa to modify only the startup menu.

TweakNow PowerPack

This tool is aimed at customizing the way Windows 10 behaves rather than the way it looks. That said, it is one of the most comprehensive you can find. It offers access to over 100 hidden Windows settings. It also includes a registry cleaner, RAM optimizer, virtual desktop profiles and a revamped startup manager. On the other hand, it also offers the ability to allocate CPU resources for intensive applications.

Start11

It comes from Stardock and is focused on modifying the start menu. It is also a commercial software with a price of $5.99. However, it is one of the best to get à la carte start menu, with four different styles. Windows 7 and Modern offer the traditional two-column display with all applications or favorites on the left. Plus shortcuts to different functions and locations on the right. Windows 10 uses a familiar menu and tile combination. There is even a Windows 11 style, but it offers more functions and flexibility than the integrated menu.

Taskbar Tweaker

Surely the best customization tool for the taskbar. It includes some settings already offered by Windows 10. However, most of them are not accessible even by acting on the registry.

CustomizerGod

There are few better free developments dedicated especially to the management of system icons. Remember that, a component that Microsoft has renewed in the latest versions of Windows 10. You can also change those of the Start menu, the taskbar, the battery, the login screen, the time and date, and many more.

Very well, in this way we have seen 8 applications to customize Windows. Bye!

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ScreenStyler, the free app that allows you to fully customize Windows 10

ScreenStyler is a free tool that is still in the beta phase. Therefore, it is likely that some bugs will appear. In addition, new features will be added soon. However, its current features are very interesting. So it is worth taking a look at them. Basically, what the app does is modify the appearance of Windows 10. Therefore, it is possible to design the desktop to the user’s liking. To do this we can change aspects such as:

• changing the background
• adding a dock
• adding widgets
• changing the size of the taskbar
• choosing between dark or light mode, etc.

Customizing the program options

The program window is very intuitive. So all changes are made from there. Consequently, you can choose from the wallpaper gallery. Widgets are also available to be added.

The program window is very intuitive. So all changes are made from there. Consequently, you can choose from the wallpaper gallery. Widgets are also available to be added. Also, the elements can be moved or resized. Likewise, icons can be hidden. It is even possible to customize the look of steam. One of the most attractive additions is a mac-like dock. One of the most attractive additions is a mac-like dock.

ScreenStyler uses Rainmeter to display widgets and Rocketdock for the dock. Therefore, both apps are installed automatically. This allows their use within ScreenStyler. Which really simplifies the whole process. Since it is more convenient than doing it from each app. There are many options to manage these elements. For example, if you don’t like the backgrounds of the app you can add your own. Or even add special effects to existing backgrounds. You can put the dock in any location and use it as a unique launcher.

After customizing the changes, simply save the theme and apply it. Just press the button at the bottom left. The changes will be displayed immediately. Also, at any time you can edit the theme or modify the elements you don’t like. Okay, we have finally seen how to fully customize Windows 10. ScreenStyler comes with a very complete tutorial. In addition, all modifications can be previewed before being applied. So its use is very simple. Bye!

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There are many customization options for notifications in Windows 10.

As Windows 10 evolves, its features are more varied. Indeed, the user has a wide possibility to change the notifications. To do so, just go to the Notifications and Actions center. In addition, there are several methods to go to this menu. First, follow this path: Windows Settings>System>Notifications & Actions. You can also type Notifications in the search bar.

Another way is to click on the Action Menu and then scroll up to Manage notifications.

Either way you will be redirected to the Notifications and Actions center. Once there, there are the options available for notifications. First, if you do not want to receive any notifications, then turn off the first switch.

However, by turning on the switch you can customize several options. For example, receive notifications on the lock screen or allow notification sounds.

However, it is also possible to limit the notifications of specific apps. With this in mind, just scroll down. Then turn the notifications off or on depending on the sender.

In addition, it is possible to configure the notification mode of a specific sender. With this intention, click on the app. Once in the menu you can configure items such as banners or appearance in the action menu. Also, if a sound is allowed when the notification arrives and other elements.

Using the concentration assist to mute the notifications.

We still have another method for silencing notifications. We are talking about the concentration assist. As its name suggests, it allows you to mute notifications at specific times. That is, the notifications still arrive at the Action Menu, but they do not produce sound or show banners. To use it, just click on the Action Menu. Then expand the quick actions and finally click on Focus Assist

By clicking on the menu, you can see the different options. Only Priorities, Only Alarms and Off.

Very well, this way we have seen how to customize and disable notifications in Windows 10. This allows to increase the productivity and to diminish the distractions. Before saying goodbye, I invite you to see our post about installing MinGW in Windows 10. Bye!

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• Before starting your pre-installed with ” Windows 10 OS” or an older version of such as Windows 8.1 or 8.

•  you should first install Microsoft Windows and then proceed with Ubuntu installation.
•  Windows installation steps, you should allocate a free space on the disk with at least 20 GB in size for use it later as a partition for the “ Ubuntu 19.04 ” installation.

Requirements:

Download Ubuntu 19.04,Ubuntu 18.10, or Ubuntu

• Following Link for Downloading Ubuntu versions:

Select your required version of Ubuntu

• Ubuntu 19.04,
• Ubuntu 18.10,

 Select Download Option and also Ubuntu Desktop 19.04

Desktop image

            The desktop image allows you to try Ubuntu without changing your computer at all, and at your option to install it permanently later. This type of image is what most people will want to use.

Step 1: Create a live USB/disk of Ubuntu

Step 2: Make a partition where Ubuntu will be installed

            Lets assuming you have a fresh system, first, we need to make a partition to install    Linux(Ubuntu 19.04).

          If you have just one partition like this, you need to make some free space out of it for Linux(Ubuntu    19.04). If you have several partitions of considerable size, use any of them except C drive because it may erase the data.

            To make a partition in Windows 10, go to the Disk Management tool.

            In the Disk Management tool, right-click on the drive which you want to partition and select “shrink volume “. In my case, I shrank the C drive to make some free space:

Step 3: Install Ubuntu with Windows Dual-Boot

• The purpose of this article, We will be installing Ubuntu 19.04  with Windows dual boot (you can use any Ubuntu release fro installation).
• Create a bootable USB stick using a utility such as “Universal USB Installer” (BIOS compatible) or any utility software you know.
• Place the USB stick or DVD in the drive, reboot the machine and instruct the ”BIOS/UEFI” to boot-up from the DVD/USB by pressing a special function key (usually F12, F10 or F2 depending machine specifications).

• Install Ubuntu

 Choose the language you wish to perform the installation and click on Continue button 

 choose the first option “Normal Installation” and hit on Continue button

 choose the first option “Something” and hit on Continue button

• Create a partition for Ubuntu. We recommend that you create two partitions, one for root and the other for home accounts data.
•  The root partition, select the free space and hit on  + icon below. On partition settings use the following configurations and hit OK to apply changes:
• Size at least 20000 MB
• Type for the new partition  Primary
• Location for the new partition  Beginning
• Use as  EXT4 journaling file system
• Mount point /

Create the home partition:

• Size  all remaining free space
• Type for the new partition Primary
• Location for the new partition Beginning
• Use as  EXT4 journaling file system
• Mount point /home

select Install Now  :

Click continue:

Adjust your machine location by selecting a city nearby from the map. When done hit Continue.

 Fill username and password for your administrative,

Enter  Your name for your computer and Continue to finalize the installation.

After the installation process reaches its end hit on the Restart Now button in order to complete the installation.

Click Restart Now :

You have Successfully Installed Ubuntu with Windows 10. Press enter and continue.

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So very rarely used are application menus, many users are actually removing them from their desktop environment, completely, and devising much more productive ways to get things done without dribbling around in infinite menus. Removing the application menu doesn’t remove access to your applications as they are still all installed on your system. It just means that you’re not wasting valuable desktop real estate on a tool that serves minimal, or no, purpose to you.

Today, I show you how to remove your application menu and replace it with something which is much faster, much more useful and which stays out of the way until its triggered by its associated hotkey – Albert.

Removing your application menu

Before I proceed to install Albert, I will remove the application menu. I am using Arch Linux and the MATE desktop environment.

Removing the MATE application menu is as simple as right-clicking on the menu attached to the MATE panel and selecting “Remove from panel”.

The application menu has now been removed.

Installing Albert

Now, I need to install Albert. To do this in Arch Linux, simply enter the following command into the terminal console:

> sudo pacman -S albert

Albert will now proceed to install.

Post-installation clean-up

Once Albert has been installed, there are a couple of quick tasks that need to be completed to polish off the installation and ensure Albert starts at system boot.

First, I need to initiate Albert and set a hotkey.

Launch Albert using the application launcher by using the key combination of “ALT+F2”. Now, enter “albert” then click “Run” to launch Albert.

I need to read and confirm all of the contents presented in the initial dialog boxes until I reach the main program window.

Under the “General” tab, I will set the preferred hotkey which will be used to launch Albert.

It is preferred to set a hotkey that is not used often for any other purposes. Personally, I find the tilde “~” key pretty useless most of the time, therefore I choose it to set as my hotkey to launch Albert.

You can set your preferences to your own liking, but I recommend enabling “Show tray icon” so you know Albert is actually running in the background.

Under the “Extensions” tab, enable “Applications”.

As you can see from the list of extensions Albert has the potential to be so much more than just an application launcher. But I prefer to keep things simple and limit its usage to a launcher only. But once you’re familiar with how Albert functions, feel free to experiment with other extensions. Get creative!

The final step in the post-installation clean-up is to add Albert to the system startup configuration. In fact, to get to that I can now test out Albert!

I simply hit the hotkey and Albert should be triggered.

Enter the term “startup”. Press “ENTER” on “Startup Applications”. Now click the “Add” button and I can now add a new item into the auto-start configuration using the following credentials:

Name: albert launcher
Command: albert
Comment: albert

I will save the changes by closing the Startup Applications window. Now when anyone logs into the Linux desktop Albert will automatically load into the background and will be ready to be launched when the preset hotkey is pressed.

You might have previously noticed there is an option to select auto-start at system startup in Albert’s own program options. I have previously tested this and found its behavior to be erratic and very unreliable. Therefore, the best workaround is to add your own auto-start entry into the desktop environment’s own auto-start configuration, which has proven to be much more reliable.

I have successfully replaced the application menu with Albert application launcher, leaving the system with much better aesthetics and a much faster and more powerful tool to launch applications.

The post Ditch Your Application Menu and Meet Albert appeared first on Linux Windows and android Tutorials.

Go to personalization

Windows 10 has a specific section to customize its appearance. As new updates arrive, these functions have been improved. To enter it, click on Windows and then on the toothed wheel (settings).

Once there, you have to select Personalization

We will immediately enter the personalization section.

Customizing background.

In this first window, we will see how to customize the background. With this in mind, we are located on background, there we will see 3 options to choose: Picture, to select any image we have archived. Solid color, to choose a solid color background. If we choose this option, Windows will offer us a palette of colors to use the one we like the most. And finally, slideshow to show a random presentation of the images saved in our pc.

Customizing Lock screen.

Next, let us completely customize the lock screen. With this intention, we locate in the left column, section lockscreen. There are 3 options: Windows spotlight, this is an image downloaded randomly by the system. Picture, to choose any image saved in our pc. Slideshow to use a presentation of previously saved images.

However, not only can we change the images to the lock screen, but it is also possible to add an application to show its detailed status. And another app to show quick status. For this purpose, we choose the apps to show on the lock screen. In my case, I select the app calendar to show detailed and Mail, Calendar and Skype to show quick status. But the user has the possibility to choose the apps he wants. By the same token, if you want the changes to apply to both the home screen and the lock screen, you just have to select the option: show lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen.

In conclusion, we have shown you in a simple way how to customize the background and lock screen. Changing these aesthetic aspects allows us to have a custom operating system. All right, that’s it for now, before I say goodbye I would like to invite you to see our article about Applocker. In addition, please join our Telegram channel to stay up to date on the latest Windows 10 updates.

The post How to customize the background and lock-screen on Windows 10 appeared first on Linux Windows and android Tutorials.

What is a GTK theme?

GTK is a set of graphical interface libraries. GTK is the base on which the Ubuntu and Linux Mint desktop environments, i.e. GNOME and Cinnamon, are designed. Therefore, a GTK theme modifies the appearance and colors that bring this by default. This means that the themes that I will show you today also serve in other Linux distributions that use these environments.

So, let us start.

3 beautiful GTK themes for your Ubuntu or Linux Mint system

Arc GTK Theme

Let us start with this mega popular and recognized GTK theme for Linux. Arc is a flat theme with transparent elements for GTK 3, GTK 2 and GNOME Shell which supports GTK 3 and GTK 2. This means that Arc can even be used in other desktop environments like MATE or XFCE.

It has many forms of installation from manual compilation to packages for Linux distributions, so its installation is not difficult at all. One of the most used in all of Linux. It has three variants to choose from.

Arc is available in the official Ubuntu and Linux Mint repositories, so just type this command to install it:

:~$ sudo apt install arc-theme

Qogir GTK theme

This theme is inspired by Arc but adds a little more uniformity to the title bar of the windows. It also shares its transparencies and portability.

When installing manually, it is possible to access several options to specify how to install it. For example, it has three variants for you to choose from.

If you want to install it the instructions are in the GitHub page of the project. Needless to say, it is also compatible with other systems as long as they meet the requirements.

Matcha GTK theme

Finally, we bring you the Matcha GTK theme. Personally, I didn’t know him but I hardly saw him, I felt attracted. Using transparency and a lot of variants, we can have a “fresh” and quite a modern system.

As always, its installation is too easy in Ubuntu and Linux Mint, and in other systems, you have to do it manually that is not complex either.

To install it, you only have to run these three commands:

:~$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ryu0/aesthetics
:~$ sudo apt-get update
:~$ sudo apt install matcha-theme

Conclusion

With these 3 GTK themes, you can improve a lot the graphical aspect of Ubuntu or Linux Mint. Its installation is quite simple and in combination with yesterday’s post, you are ready to make your system more yours.

Please, share this post with your friends.

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What is an icon theme?

First I start by saying it is an icon theme. They are simply icons customized by a creator that couple with your system by modifying the icons of the applications, the tray, and the emblems. In addition, they are very popular in Linux because not only are they limited to modify the appearance but in many cases even imitate that of other operating systems. So, it is quite interesting, if you have never done it, I invite you to try.

So, let us start.

Best 3 icon themes for your Linux system

1. Papirus

Papirus is one of the most popular and beautiful icon themes of all Linux. This set of flat icons, colorful and quite uniform, will give a sophisticated touch to your GTK-based distributions like GNOME, Cinnamon, and XFCE. It has some variants for dark and light themes.

If you use Ubuntu or Linux Mint you can install it using the following commands.

:~$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:varlesh-l/papirus-pack
:~$ sudo apt update
:~$ sudo apt install papirus-gtk-icon-theme

And then, activate it on the system settings.

2. La Capitaine

This icon theme is dedicated to users who like Mac OS. As I said before, Linux can be customized so that it can mimic the look and feel of other systems. In this case, La Capitaine is inspired by Apple’s Mac OS and Google’s Material Desing. The result of applying it is a pretty modern system taking the best of the apple company.

If you want to install it, you can follow these instructions on your system.

cd ~/.icons
git clone https://github.com/keeferrourke/la-capitaine-icon-theme.git

And that’s it.

3. Moka

Moka is another icon theme that is quite well known. With simplicity in mind, Moka makes your Linux distribution look elegant but simple.

To install it, run these commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:moka/daily
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install moka-icon-theme

Conclusion

Linux is quite customizable and you can take advantage of that to make your distribution look pretty good.

Please share this post with your friends.

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At the moment there is a great love for dark themes, and an example of this is the implementation of Apple with Mac OS Mojave. In addition to being pleasing to the eye, they improve the productivity and health of our eyes. So, they are a success in this modern world.

In Linux, we have many dark and well-implemented themes like Nordic Theme.

Nordic Theme for Linux

Nordic is a Gtk3.20+ theme created using the awesome Nord color palette. This ensures that your components are subtly careful with design and color matching. Making the subject very delicate for our eyes, thus improving our computer performance.

A great advantage of using this theme is that it is released under the GPL 3 license, i.e. it is open source and can be used and modified to our liking.

Install Nordic Theme on any Linux distribution

As I said before, it’s a GTK theme that requires at least version 3.20. In short, it is compatible with many Linux distributions such as Debian 9, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Linux Mint 19, Arch Linux or Manjaro.

First, download the theme using Git. Open a Terminal and run:

:~$ git clone https://github.com/EliverLara/Nordic.git

When you finish downloading the theme, you will have a folder called Nordic in your current location.

Now you must move it to the ~/.themes folder. If the folder doesn’t exist, you have to create it.

:~$ mv Nordic/ ~/.themes/

Now, select the downloaded theme from the tool that has your distribution. In the case of Ubuntu, open the Tweaks tool and choose the Nordic theme.

And now, you can enjoy your new theme installed.

Conclusion

One of the most enjoyable features of Linux is its ability to customize. Every day many GTK themes are published and with this new trend of dark themes appears Nordic.

Tell us, do you like this topic? do you use it? do you know others? let us know in the comments.

Previously we talked about Flat-Remix theme. You can read it here.

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Flat-Remix is a pretty simple icon theme inspired by material design. It can be installed on all Linux distributions that use GNOME as a desktop environment. It is also released under the GPLv3 license, which guarantees that you can modify and reuse it.

In addition, the theme is available in several versions (Main, Dark, Light) as well as an icon theme and for GNOME Shell.

As can been noted, the last stable version of this complete theme is 1.32 which was released a few days ago. In this new version, some bugs have been fixed and some icons have been updated.

Install Flat-Remix Icon set on any Linux Distribution

If you want to install Flat-Remix in any Linux distribution, I have the good news that is quite simple.

In the first place, you have to install git to clone the Git repository of the project. Open a Terminal, and then, type:

:~$ sudo apt install git

Now you can clone the first repository (icon set), to do it, run:

:~$ git clone https://github.com/daniruiz/flat-remix

Second, clone the other repository (GTK theme).

:~$ git clone https://github.com/daniruiz/flat-remix-gtk

The only thing left to do is to create the local folder where the theme will be.

:~$ mkdir -p ~/.icons && mkdir -p ~/.themes

Then, copy the contents of the cloned folder into the new one.

:~$ cp -r flat-remix/Flat-Remix* ~/.icons/ && cp -r flat-remix-gtk/Flat-Remix-GTK* ~/.themes/

Finally, open gnome-tweaks-tool and in the appearance section, choose the new theme.

Here’s part of the results.

Conclusion

Linux is destined for its capacity of customization and it is true that more and more the Linux distributions improve in visual aspects. However, excellent themes can always be found to further improve the appearance of the system.

I like to customize my work environment, so soon I’ll bring you another theme to install.

We want to hear from you, do you like flat-remix? did you know it? how did you like it?

Please spread this article through your social networks.

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