Lubuntu is probably the best candidate for people looking to replace Windows XP

Apr 7, 2014 12:52 GMT  ·  By

One of the most suitable Linux distributions capable of providing a proper alternative to Windows XP is Lubuntu, and users can make it look a lot more like Windows XP with a little work.

Lubuntu is based on LXDE, a very light desktop environment that probably has even lower hardware requirements than Windows XP. It's a favorite for older systems and it's the lightest distro in the Ubuntu family.

Canonical is scheduled to launch Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (Trusty Tahr) on April 17, which is just a little over a week away, but Windows XP will stop being supported on April 8, which is tomorrow. Some users might choose to switch to a Linux operating system and Lubuntu seems like the logical choice.

The way in which Lubuntu is being presented right now is already very similar with Windows XP. It uses the same desktop paradigm, so Windows XP users should have an easier time adopting it. In any case, the Linux-powered operating system can be made to look even more like Windows XP, down to the color of the theme, the start menu button, and the quick launcher.

You might ask yourself why someone would go through all that trouble. Well, as it turns out, Windows users are still employing Windows XP, which means that they don't respond well to change. This might be a very easy way to trick your parents, for example, that they still have Windows XP, although they are running Linux.

“I know this has been done before but I had already started these when I found the numerous other XP themes out there and decided to finish them anyway. I made these for a friend wanting to try out lubuntu who was a little daunted by the prospect,” notes the designer of the “Lubuntu XP three flavors 1.1” theme.

The package contains Openbox themes suited for every color, the default Windows XP background, and XP style start buttons with a twist (the Tux logo).

According to the designer of the theme, it's very simple to install. Users need extract the folders to ~/home/(user name)/.themes, extract the wallpaper and the menu buttons, set the themes in the themes browser, set the menu button to \"xp-blue-start.png\ (or silver and green), and that's about it.

Getting this Windows XP theme will have no impact on the performance of the system and, for all intents and purposes, this will be a full Linux OS with just a bizarre old theme.

You can download Lubuntu XP three flavors 1.1 theme from xfce-look.org.