[HOW TO] Install desktop themes in Xubuntu

There're three categories of themes: Gtk themes (that control how the window contents is themed), Window title bar themes (known as xfwm4 themes in Xfce/Xubuntu) and icon themes.

Desktop theme example in Xubuntu
Xubuntu 12.04 customized with the 'Bluebird' Gtk and xfwm4 themes and 'Faenza' icon theme

How to install themes

Depending on the category of theme you're installing, extract the theme to one of the following locations:

  • Gtk and xfwm4 themes: ~/.themes
  • Icon themes: ~/.icons

Hint: If you're running Xfce 4.10 you can drag-and-drop the *.tar.gz file containing the theme in the dialog for changing the theme.

Where to get themes

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 15, 2012 at 6:08 PM

    Muchas gracias por tu trabajo y por los links ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 16, 2012 at 6:00 PM

    Great Job...

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 19, 2013 at 5:33 AM

    I went into one of the links you posted and successfully downloaded one of the themes...I just don't know where to put it and extract it so I could install the theme (I'm just new to xubuntu)


    Thank you in advance for your reply/...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosAugust 19, 2013 at 11:42 AM

      Open your home folder with Thunar and hit Ctrl+H. This will show hidden files; their names start with a period. Extract the themes to .themes and the icons to .icons.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2014 at 6:43 PM

    what if there is no .themes folder?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosJanuary 31, 2014 at 6:47 PM

      Just create it. Don't forget the "."

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2014 at 7:05 PM

      its not working, still not showing up in settiings/appearance/style

      Delete
    3. Wilson SantosJanuary 31, 2014 at 8:05 PM

      May I ask which theme are you trying to install?

      Delete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2014 at 5:43 AM

    never mind i got one working, thank you

    ReplyDelete

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