This article explains how to install a new theme in Ubuntu 18.04 LTS operating system. Many of the themes available for Ubuntu through the software repositories are installable directly from the "Terminal" window. In some cases, manual installation is required using the Archive Manager app. To apply one of the themes installed on Ubuntu, you need to download and install the GNOME Tweaks program from the Ubuntu Software Center.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the Terminal Window
Step 1. Search for the theme you want to use
To find new themes for Ubuntu, you can do a simple Google search (https://www.google.com) using the keywords "ubuntu themes". Here is a short list of sites that share themes for Ubuntu:
- Gnome-Look;
- OMG Ubuntu;
- Ubuntu Pit;
- It's Foss.
Step 2. Click on the Ubuntu icon
It is listed in the docked dock on the left side of the desktop. It is characterized by a circle with three notches. The Dash will appear.
Step 3. Type the terminal keyword into the search bar
The latter is located at the top of the Dash.
Step 4. Click on the "Terminal" app icon
It is characterized by a black rectangle inside which there is the command prompt.
Step 5. Type the command sudo apt-get install [package_name] -theme and press the Enter key
Replace the "[package_name]" parameter with the package name of the theme you want to install. For example, if you want to install the "Arc" theme, you will need to use the command sudo apt-get install arc-theme within the "Terminal" window.
- If prompted, provide your account password.
- The installation of some themes may require additional commands. For this reason, always read carefully the installation instructions of any themes you download on your computer.
Step 6. Press the Y key on your keyboard
At the end of the installation, the remaining free space on the system hard drive will be indicated.
Step 7. Type the command sudo apt-get install [package_name] -icons in the "Terminal" window and press the Enter key
Use this command to install the icons of the theme you have chosen.
- Provide your account password when prompted.
- The installation of some themes may require additional commands. For this reason, always read carefully the installation instructions of any themes you download on your computer.
Step 8. Press the Y key on your keyboard
At the end of the installation, the remaining free space on the system hard drive will be indicated.
Method 2 of 3: Install a Theme Manually
Step 1. Search for the theme you want to use
To find new themes for Ubuntu, you can do a simple Google search (https://www.google.com) using the keywords "ubuntu themes". Here is a short list of sites that share themes for Ubuntu:
- Gnome-Look;
- OMG Ubuntu;
- Ubuntu Pit;
- It's Foss.
Step 2. Click on the link to download the installation file
When you have identified the theme you want to install on your computer, click on the link to download the installation file.
Step 3. Select the "Save File" option and click the OK button
The file will be saved in the "Download" folder on your computer.
Some themes are available in different versions and variations. Make sure you download the correct version you want to install
Step 4. Click the Archive Manager app icon
It features a filing cabinet and is listed in the system dock. The latter is normally docked on the left side of the Ubuntu desktop.
Step 5. Click on the Downloads folder
Step 6. Click on the file you just downloaded with the right mouse button and choose the Extract here option
Normally, theme and icon files are distributed in a compressed ".tar.xz" format. The files in the archive will be extracted into the folder.
Step 7. Access the extracted folder
The content inside will be displayed.
Step 8. Drag all the image files in the theme folder to the "Pictures" folder
The latter is listed in the left pane of the window. At this point click on the folder Download, visible in the left panel, to view the contents of the directory.
Step 9. Click on the folder you extracted from the compressed archive with the right mouse button, then select the Copy option from the context menu that will appear
Step 10. Click on the Home item
It is the first option listed in the left panel of the Ubuntu file manager window.
Step 11. Click on the ☰ button
It is characterized by three horizontal and parallel lines and is located in the upper right corner of the Archive Manager window.
Step 12. Click on the Show hidden files option visible in the appeared menu
Inside the window you will see additional files that were previously hidden.
Step 13. Click on the.themes folder or .icons.
These are hidden folders inside Ubuntu's "Home" folder.
If there is no ".themes" or ".icons" folder, double click on the button New folder to create two new folders: one named ".themes" and the other ".icons".
Step 14. Click on an empty spot in the right window pane using the right mouse button, then choose the Paste option
The theme files will be pasted into the ".themes" folder, while the icon files will be pasted into the ".icons" folder.
Method 3 of 3: Install GNOME Tweaks and Apply a Theme
Step 1. Log in to the Ubuntu Software Center
It features an orange shopping bag icon with the letter "A" inside. It is listed in the system dock that you find along the left side of the Ubuntu desktop.
Step 2. Type the keywords gnome tweaks into the search bar
The latter is located at the top of the Ubuntu Software Center window.
Step 3. Click on the GNOME Tweaks app that appeared in the list of results
It is characterized by an icon representing a control panel made up of some cursors.
Step 4. Click the Install button
It is placed under the application name.
Step 5. Enter your account password and click on the Authenticate option
In order to install a new program or app on your computer, you will need to enter the password of your Ubuntu user account.
Alternatively, you can install the "GNOME Tweaks" app by running the following command within the "Terminal" window: sudo apt-get install gnome-tweaks
Step 6. Click on the Ubuntu icon
It is listed in the docked dock on the left side of the desktop. It is characterized by a circle with three notches. The Dash will appear.
Step 7. Type the terminal keyword into the search bar
The latter is located at the top of the Dash.
Step 8. Click on the "Terminal" app icon
It is characterized by a black rectangle inside which there is the command prompt.
Step 9. Type the command sudo apt-get install gnome-shell-extensions inside the "Terminal" window and press the Enter key
This is the command that allows you to install the GNOME Shell Extensions app, which is the program needed to change the appearance and color of the panel.
To execute the command, enter your user account password when prompted
Step 10. Log into Ubuntu again
Once the GNOME Tweak installation is complete, you will need to log out and log in again with your account to complete the installation process. Click on the "Shutdown" icon located in the upper right corner of the desktop and click on the option End session. At this point, click on your account username and enter the corresponding password to log in again.
Step 11. Launch the GNOME Tweak app
It is characterized by an icon representing a control panel made up of some cursors. You can perform this step using the Dash or click on the "Start" button displayed in the Ubuntu Software Center window. Use these instructions to launch the GNOME Tweaks app from the Dash.
- Click on the Ubuntu icon;
- Type the Tweaks keyword into the search bar;
- Click on the app GNOME Tweaks.
Step 12. Click on the Extensions tab
It is listed in the left pane of the window.
Step 13. Activate the "User Themes" option
To enable the use of user-installed themes you will need to activate the slider under "User Themes". This way, you will have the ability to change the colors and appearance of the panels.
Step 14. Click on the Appearance tab
It is the third option listed in the left pane of the window.
Step 15. Use the drop-down menus to apply the theme you want
To select the theme you have installed, you can use the "Applications", "Cursor", "Icons" and "Shell" drop-down menus.
Step 16. Click on the file icon next to the "Image" item in the "Background" section
This way, you will have the option to select an image to use as your desktop background.
Step 17. Click the image you want to use to select it, then click the Select button
The chosen image will be used as a desktop background.
Step 18. Click on the icon located next to the "Image" item in the "Lock Screen" section
In this way, you can select the image that will appear on the screen when the computer is locked.
Step 19. Click on the image you want to use to select it, then click the Select button
The chosen image will be used as the lock screen wallpaper.
