A Personal Guide: Customizing LXDE on Linux

Hey there! If you’re rocking a Linux computer, chances are you’ve come across the Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment, or LXDE. This nifty desktop is a favorite among Linux users because it’s super lightweight. Not only does it use minimal resources, but it’s also fully functional, even on older or low-end computers. The only downside is that it might not have all the flashy features you’d find in more advanced desktops. But hey, it’s Linux! You can always personalize it to make it truly reflect your style. So, let me show you how to perfectly theme LXDE in Linux.

LXDE relies on Openbox and plays well with Gnome and GTK2+. That means you can take advantage of the plethora of themes, wallpapers, and icons available for Gnome and GTK2+, and they’ll work seamlessly with LXDE too.

To start customizing your LXDE desktop, you have two options: either change the entire theme or spruce it up by updating the wallpaper and icons. The choice is yours!

Changing the Theme in LXDE

When it comes to changing the theme in LXDE, we have some options to explore. Since LXDE is compatible with Gnome and uses Openbox, we can tap into the resources available for these platforms. Websites like http://gnome-look.org, http://xfce-look.org, LXDE.org, Deviantart, and http://box-look.org offer a wide range of amazing themes that you can freely use in LXDE. Some of these themes come with their own installer, while others may require a bit of manual installation. If you choose a theme that doesn’t install automatically, simply extract the theme files to the ‘.theme’ folder and the icon files to the ‘.icon’ folder. Once done, head over to LXAppearance and select your newly installed themes.

With Gnome and GTK2+ having an extensive collection of desktop themes, you’ll have plenty of options to find a complete theme that suits your style and preferences.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even create your very own theme!

Changing the Desktop Wallpaper in LXDE

One of the first things we tend to customize on a new computer or operating system is the desktop wallpaper. After all, it’s something we’ll be looking at a whole lot in the upcoming weeks and months, so it’s important to choose something that really resonates with us.

The websites mentioned earlier provide a variety of wallpaper categories that you can browse through to find the perfect wallpaper for your desktop. Alternatively, you can search image repositories like Google Images or use your own digital art or image files. Once you have the desired image saved on your computer, simply right-click on an empty space on your desktop, select “Desktop Preferences,” navigate to the image, and set it as your desktop wallpaper. Voila!

How to Change the Icons in LXDE

Hey there! So, you want to switch up the icons in LXDE? No problemo! All you have to do is follow these simple steps.

1. First things first, find an icon set that catches your eye. There are tons of options out there, just like with wallpapers. You can check out the resources I linked above for a wide selection.
2. Once you’ve found the perfect icon set, download it. It will usually come in a .zip or .rar file. After that, you’ll need to extract the contents.
3. Now, here’s where it gets fun! Move those extracted contents to the ‘.icons’ folder. You can do this by right-clicking the downloaded icon file, selecting “Extract To,” and choosing a location. You have the option to extract directly to ‘.icons’ or somewhere else and then copy it over later.
4. Now comes the moment of truth! Open up LXAppearance, either by typing ‘lxappearance’ in Terminal or navigating to Preferences and selecting “Customize Look and Feel.” Head over to the Icon Theme tab, and voila! Your new icons should be there, ready for you to choose.

Easy Peasy Widget Change in LXDE

Widgets make our desktop lively and dynamic. If you want to jazz up your LXDE with new widgets, here’s how you can do it:

1. Follow the same process as adding a theme to your LXDE.
2. Download a GTK2+ theme that comes with awesome widgets.
3. Extract the theme to the ‘.themes’ folder.
4. Now, open up LXAppearance again and go to the Widget tab.
5. Scroll through the options until you find your newly added theme.
6. Select it, and there you have it! Your LXDE will be rocking fresh widgets.

Add Some Spice with a Dock in LXDE

Now, let’s take your minimalist LXDE desktop up a notch by adding a cool dock. It’s easier than you might think!

1. Right-click anywhere on the bottom panel and choose “Create New Panel.”
2. Once you have your new panel, open up its preferences.
3. Select a spot on your desktop where you want the dock to appear.
4. Within the panel preferences, go to “Panel Applets” and add an “Application Launcher Bar.”
5. Double-click on the bar and start adding applications to your dock. Simply click “Add Applications to the Launcher” for each app you want to include.
6. Feeling fancy? Customize the dock’s appearance by selecting a solid color and adjusting the opacity to your liking.
7. To keep your desktop looking clean, go to the “Advanced” tab and enable “Minimize Panel When Not In Use.”

Feel free to tweak your dock as much as you want. The sky’s the limit! Just keep in mind that LXDE may not be able to replicate any rounded edges you might have seen in theme screenshots. It’s a little limitation we can’t get around without replacing Openbox.

Changing the theme in LXDE is a breeze, my friend. Even though it’s designed to be lightweight, it still offers plenty of room for customization. So go ahead and make your desktop truly yours!