I made Linux look like Windows 11 for free - with a few simple tweaks to Zorin OS

At a glance:

• Zorin OS can be tweaked to mimic Windows 11’s look for free.
• The Pro version offers a ready‑made Windows 11 layout but requires a $47.99 license per major release.
• Customization involves adjusting the taskbar style, panel position, adding a GNOME WeatherPanel extension, and setting a Windows‑style wallpaper.

Getting started

Zorin OS is built on top of Ubuntu, giving it a solid foundation of stability and a user‑friendly experience from the ground up. The free edition ships with four distinct layouts, none of which look exactly like Windows 11. However, the Pro edition includes a dedicated Windows 11 layout that keeps the familiar start‑menu, taskbar, and overall theme. If you prefer to keep the OS free, you can still achieve a Windows‑like appearance by tweaking the existing layout.

To begin, download the Zorin OS ISO from the official website and create a live USB drive. I’ll use Zorin OS 18.1 Pro for the demonstration, but the steps apply to the free edition as well. Boot the machine from the USB, install Zorin OS, and log in. If the Zorin Appearance app does not appear automatically, launch it from the desktop menu. The default layout is clean, but you’ll need to adjust several settings to bring it closer to Windows 11.

Adjusting the taskbar and panel

Open the Zorin Appearance app and select the top‑right layout, which provides a bottom panel (taskbar) and a desktop menu on the right side. Close the app, right‑click the bottom panel, and choose “Taskbar Settings.” In the Style tab, slide the “Border radius” to the far left to square the corners, giving the taskbar a more Windows‑like look.

Next, go to the Position tab and set “Panel length” to 100 %. From the “Monitor Center” drop‑down, choose the following options:

• Left box: Show Applications button
• TaskbarCenter box: Desktop button These selections center the icons and give the panel a symmetrical feel. Make sure the panel length is full‑width so that the icons line up with Windows 11’s centered taskbar.

Adding weather and wallpaper

If you want a weather widget on the panel, install the WeatherPanel GNOME extension. First, install the Extensions app via GNOME Software. Then open Extensions, search for “WeatherPanel,” and click install. Once added, right‑click the icon, configure units, wind speed, pressure, and set a location. Move the icon to the far left of the panel; note that the icon can’t be placed on the far left of the panel itself, but it will sit on the left side of the Zorin menu.

Finally, find a Windows‑11‑style wallpaper, download it, and set it as your background. Right‑click the desktop, choose “Change background…,” click “Add Picture,” and locate the image you downloaded. With the taskbar, panel, weather widget, and wallpaper in place, Zorin OS will closely resemble Windows 11.

Why the Pro license might be worth it

The Pro edition’s Windows 11 layout is ready‑made, saving you the manual tweaks described above. However, the license costs $47.99 and must be repurchased for each major release. For example, a Pro license for Zorin OS 18 will not transfer to Zorin OS 19 when it launches. If you plan to stay on a single release for its five‑year support cycle, buying the Pro license once is fine. But if you like to keep up with the latest features, you’ll need to budget for a new license every major upgrade.

In summary, Zorin OS offers a flexible path to a Windows‑like experience. Whether you opt for the free, manually customized route or the paid Pro layout, you can enjoy the familiarity of Windows 11 while running a lightweight, open‑source Linux distribution.