Hate your Windows 11 UI? Try a MacOS or Linux-like shell: My 3 picks
Hate your Windows 11 UI? Try a MacOS or Linux-like shell: My 3 picks
https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-11-alternative-shells/
Publish Date: 2026-02-02 15:38:00
Source Domain: www.zdnet.com
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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- You don’t have to be stuck with the Windows 11 UI.
- These three options can turn Windows 11 into something else.
- Two of these options are free, and the other is affordable.
I remember, way back when I worked for a company that required the use of Windows, I discovered alternative user interfaces that could at least make Windows look a bit more exciting and, well, like Linux.
Flash forward to today, and I thought I’d see if some of those good old alternative Windows shells were still around. Although those UIs I remember using no longer exist, I did find three that are not only still available but can help give the Windows UI a facelift.
Also: 7 most Windows-like Linux distros – if you’re ready to ditch Microsoft
Of these three shells, only one dramatically changes the way Windows 11 looks and feels, while one of them works a bit more subtly, and the other is even more subtle. But even with the changes, you can get Windows 11 to look a bit less square and clunky… if that’s up your alley.
1. Seelen-UI
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
I covered Seelen-UI in depth back in 2025 and found it to be a real breath of fresh air. With this alternative shell, you can customize Windows to pretty much look however you want. You can move panels, change transparencies, alter the menu, theme the UI, and so much more. In just a few quick seconds, I was able to tweak the Windows 11 desktop to resemble MacOS or just about any given Linux desktop.
I find Seelen-UI to be the easiest way to have a custom Windows 11 desktop, but I don’t think this is just for aesthetics. Seelen-UI also makes it possible to eke out a bit more efficiency from Windows, with a much-improved UI.
Also: You can try Linux without ditching Windows first – here’s how
With Seelen-UI, you can also add tiling windows into the mix, enjoy a vast array of customizations, use an integrated media module, and apply…
