{
  "id": 7088709,
  "title": "How to make Xfce look like almost any desktop you want",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/how-to-make-xfce-look-like-almost-any-desktop-you-want-7088709",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-13T09:09:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register Science",
    "slug": "the-register-science",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/09/13/how-to-make-xfce-look-like-almost-any-desktop-you-want/5295775"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Xfce, an old and lightweight desktop environment, can be customized to resemble various other operating systems. An optional tool, called Panel Profiles, greatly simplifies this process. Panel Profiles, an extra feature for Xfce, lets users switch between predefined desktop layouts in two clicks. It works without needing to log out and allows users to create custom layouts as well. With this tool, Xfce can resemble Windows, Xubuntu, MATE, GNOME 2, Mac OS X, or Ubuntu Unity.\n\nIn the first part of this guide, we will cover how to install Panel Profiles and the necessary components to enable Xfce's flexibility. To optimize certain unconventional layouts, additional manual configuration is required in Part 2. While KDE Plasma offers similar features, it lacks an automatic layout-switching tool, requiring more manual adjustments and more resources. Panel Profiles in Xfce makes layout switching easier and more efficient, using less RAM and disk space.\n\nPanel Profiles' predefined layouts are named to avoid trademark infringement but are easy to understand. For example, Cupertino mimics macOS, while GNOME 2 provides a layout close to the older GNOME 2 environment.",
  "summary": "Panel Profiles handles the heavy lifting, once you've installed the plugins it expects",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Register",
        "title": "How to make Xfce look like almost any desktop you want",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/how-to-make-xfce-look-like-almost-any-desktop-you-want",
        "published": "2026-09-13T09:09:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}