Want your Linux looking more like Windows? KDE Plasma makes it easy - here's how

Source: ZDNet

Overview

KDE Plasma is a remarkably customizable desktop environment. It’s fast, stable, and highly flexible—making it an attractive option for users migrating from Windows. If you want your Linux desktop to look and feel like Windows 11, a few tweaks are all you need.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• KDE Plasma can be highly customized.
• You can make KDE Plasma look like Windows 11.
• Adding a theme and a widget is enough to achieve the look.

Changing the theme

What you’ll need – This guide uses KDE Neon, which ships the latest KDE Plasma release.

1. Open System Settings → Colors & Themes → Global Theme.
2. Click Get new and search for “Win”. Install a theme such as Windows Eleven Plasma 6.
3. After installation, return to Global Theme, select the new theme, and click Apply.

Adding a Windows 11‑like menu

We’ll use Menu 11 Enhanced from the KDE Store.

1. Download the file

Download the Menu 11 Enhanced package to your Downloads folder.

2. Extract the file

Open your file manager, navigate to Downloads, right‑click the downloaded archive, and choose Extract.

3. Install the menu

In the extracted folder, right‑click an empty space and select Open terminal here. Then run:

./install.sh

The script moves the necessary files into place.

Log out and log back in to refresh the session.

4. Add the menu to the panel

1. Right‑click the panel and choose Add or manage widgets.
2. Drag Menu 11 Enhanced onto the panel.
3. Click Exit Edit Mode.

5. Add a separator (spacer)

To center the widgets:

1. Right‑click the panel and select Show Panel Configuration.
2. Click Add New → Spacer and drag it to the left side of the panel.
3. Add a second spacer if needed to push the menu toward the center.
4. Click Exit Edit Mode.

You now have a KDE Plasma desktop that closely resembles Windows 11.