How to Get Back the Classic Rounded Theme with the Orange X Button on Ubuntu #

For many long-time users of the Ubuntu operating system, the visual aesthetic of earlier versions, particularly those featuring the distinctive rounded theme and the iconic orange X button for closing windows, evokes a sense of comfort and familiarity. These elements, prevalent in versions like Ubuntu 14.04, 16.04, and 18.04, contributed to a user interface that many found both appealing and highly functional. As Ubuntu has evolved, so too have its default themes, leading some users to explore ways to reintroduce these beloved visual characteristics. This article, brought to you by revWhiteShadow, aims to guide you through the process of reclaiming that classic rounded theme and the recognizable orange X button on your modern Ubuntu installation. We understand the desire to customize your operating system to reflect your personal preferences, and we are here to provide a comprehensive and detailed approach to achieve this specific visual goal.

Understanding the Shift in Ubuntu’s Visual Identity #

The evolution of Ubuntu’s desktop environment has seen significant changes in its default theming over the years. From the early days of GNOME 2 to the introduction of Unity, and subsequently the adoption of GNOME Shell as the default desktop environment, each iteration has brought its own unique visual style. The Ambiance theme, with its characteristic dark header bars and the user-friendly orange X button for window management, was a staple for many years. It provided a consistent and recognizable look and feel across a wide range of Ubuntu releases.

The transition to GNOME Shell for newer Ubuntu versions marked a departure from the Unity desktop and its associated themes. While GNOME Shell offers its own set of appealing themes and customization options, it also meant that the specific visual elements that users associated with the Ambiance theme and the orange X button were no longer the default. This naturally led to inquiries about how to reintroduce these elements for those who preferred them. It’s important to note that the Ambiance theme itself was intrinsically tied to the Unity desktop environment. While the core elements of a theme can often be adapted, achieving an exact replica of the Ambiance look within a different desktop environment like GNOME Shell can present challenges. Nevertheless, our objective is to get as close as possible to that cherished aesthetic.

Exploring Theme Compatibility: Ambiance, Radiance, and Beyond #

The Ambiance theme and its lighter counterpart, Radiance, were indeed the default visual styles for a significant period in Ubuntu’s history. Users often downloaded these themes directly to customize their systems. However, as Ubuntu has moved towards different desktop environments and underlying technologies, directly installing older themes like Ambiance or Radiance in their original form might not be straightforward or even possible without modifications.

The primary reason for this lies in how themes are implemented and how they interact with the desktop environment. Ambiance and Radiance were specifically designed for the GTK+ toolkit and were heavily integrated with the Unity desktop. When Ubuntu shifted to GNOME Shell, which utilizes a different theming engine and structure, direct compatibility became an issue. While the GTK+ toolkit is still fundamental, the way themes are applied and configured has evolved.

When users attempt to download and apply these older themes on newer Ubuntu versions, they might encounter problems such as missing elements, incorrect rendering, or a complete failure to apply. This is because the theme files may not be structured in a way that the modern GNOME desktop can correctly interpret. The specific icons, window decorations, and color schemes are often hardcoded or rely on specific GTK+ version features that are no longer present or have been deprecated.

The orange X button, a particularly iconic element, was part of the window decorations provided by the Ambiance theme’s window manager. In GNOME Shell, window management and decorations are handled differently. Therefore, simply installing the old theme files won’t automatically bring back that specific button style.

Recreating the Classic Look: A Step-by-Step Guide #

Achieving the desired rounded theme with the orange X button on modern Ubuntu versions often involves a combination of theme installation, icon pack application, and potentially further customization. We will walk you through the most effective methods to get as close as possible to the visual experience you remember.

Step 1: Installing a GTK+ Theme that Mimics Ambiance #

The first crucial step is to find and install a GTK+ theme that closely replicates the look and feel of Ambiance. Since direct installation of the old Ambiance theme might not yield the desired results on newer GNOME-based Ubuntu desktops, we need to look for modern themes that have been created with the intention of recreating that classic Ubuntu aesthetic.

Where to find compatible themes:

• GNOME-Look.org: This is a primary repository for GNOME themes, icons, and extensions. You can search for themes that explicitly mention “Ambiance,” “classic Ubuntu,” or “retro Ubuntu” in their descriptions. Many talented theme developers create modern interpretations of popular older themes.
• GitHub: Many theme developers host their projects on GitHub. Searching for “Ubuntu Ambiance GNOME theme” or similar keywords on GitHub can reveal actively maintained projects.

Installation process for GTK+ themes:

1. Download the theme archive: Themes are typically distributed as .tar.gz or .zip files.
2. Create the .themes directory: If you don’t already have one, create a hidden directory named .themes in your Home folder. You can do this via the file manager (Ctrl+H to show hidden files, then right-click -> New Folder) or using the terminal:

   mkdir ~/.themes
   

3. Extract the theme: Extract the downloaded theme archive into the ~/.themes directory. For example, if your theme is named MyAmbianceTheme.tar.gz:

   tar -xvzf MyAmbianceTheme.tar.gz -C ~/.themes/
   

   Ensure that the extracted folder contains the theme’s gtk-3.0 and gtk-4.0 directories.

Step 2: Applying the GTK+ Theme using GNOME Tweaks #

Once you have installed a suitable GTK+ theme, you’ll need a tool to apply it. GNOME Tweaks (formerly Gnome Tweak Tool) is the standard application for customizing various aspects of the GNOME desktop.

Installing GNOME Tweaks: If you don’t have GNOME Tweaks installed, you can easily install it from the Ubuntu Software Center or via the terminal:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Applying the theme:

1. Open GNOME Tweaks by searching for it in the applications menu or running gnome-tweaks in the terminal.
2. Navigate to the “Appearance” section.
3. Under the “Applications” dropdown menu, you should see the GTK+ theme you downloaded and extracted. Select it from the list.

This will change the look of your application windows, buttons, and other interface elements to match the chosen theme.

Step 3: Finding and Installing a Matching Icon Theme #

The orange X button is part of the window decorations, which are often controlled by the icon theme or a specific window manager theme. Therefore, finding an icon theme that complements the GTK+ theme and includes the desired window control buttons is essential.

Where to find icon themes:

• GNOME-Look.org: Similar to GTK+ themes, you can find numerous icon themes here. Search for “Ambiance icons,” “classic Ubuntu icons,” or “orange X icons.”
• GitHub: Many icon packs are also hosted on GitHub.

Installation process for Icon Themes:

1. Download the icon theme archive.
2. Create the .icons directory: If it doesn’t exist, create a hidden directory named .icons in your Home folder:

   mkdir ~/.icons
   

3. Extract the icon theme: Extract the downloaded archive into the ~/.icons directory.

   tar -xvzf MyAmbianceIcons.tar.gz -C ~/.icons/
   

   Ensure the extracted folder contains an index.theme file and the relevant icon directories.

Step 4: Applying the Icon Theme using GNOME Tweaks #

Now, you can use GNOME Tweaks to apply the icon theme you’ve installed.

Applying the icon theme:

1. Open GNOME Tweaks.
2. Go to the “Appearance” section.
3. Under the “Icons” dropdown menu, select the icon theme you installed.

This will change the appearance of application icons, folder icons, and crucially, the window control buttons (minimize, maximize, close). If the chosen icon theme includes an Ambiance-style icon set with the distinctive orange X button, you should start seeing it applied to your windows.

Step 5: Customizing Window Decorations (If Necessary) #

In some cases, even after applying a compatible GTK+ theme and icon theme, the window decorations, specifically the close button, might not be exactly as you remember. This is because window decorations can be controlled by separate Metacity themes or through the Mutter window manager’s settings, which GNOME Shell utilizes.

Using a GNOME Shell Theme: GNOME Shell themes control the overall appearance of the shell, including the top bar, notifications, and overview screen. Some GNOME Shell themes are designed to complement specific GTK+ themes and can also influence window decorations.

1. Install GNOME Shell Themes: To apply GNOME Shell themes, you’ll need the User Themes extension for GNOME.
   • Install the extension manager:

     sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-manager
     

   • Open the Extension Manager, search for “User Themes,” and install it. Ensure it’s enabled.
2. Download GNOME Shell Themes: Similar to GTK+ and icon themes, search on GNOME-Look.org for themes that explicitly state they are for GNOME Shell and aim to replicate the Ambiance look.
3. Install GNOME Shell Themes: Extract the theme files into ~/.themes/ (or /usr/share/themes/ for system-wide installation, but ~/.themes/ is recommended for user-specific changes).
4. Apply GNOME Shell Theme: Open GNOME Tweaks, go to “Appearance,” and under the “Shell” dropdown, select your newly installed GNOME Shell theme.

Some GNOME Shell themes might bundle compatible window decorations. If not, you might need to find a specific window decoration theme or modify an existing one.

Modifying Window Decorations (Advanced): This is a more advanced step and requires caution. Some GTK+ themes come with specific settings for window decorations. If the theme you’ve chosen doesn’t have the right buttons, you might need to look for an alternative theme that does, or explore theme customization tools if available for the specific theme.

Step 6: Ensuring the “Orange X” is Present #

The critical component for many users is the orange X button. Its presence is usually dictated by the icon theme specifically for window controls.

Key considerations for the “Orange X”:

• Icon Theme Specificity: Not all icon themes that mimic Ambiance will have the correct window control icons. You might need to try several icon themes before finding one that precisely matches your preference for the close button.
• Theme Author’s Intent: The developers who create these modern interpretations of older themes are usually aware of what users are looking for. Look for themes that explicitly state they include classic Ubuntu window buttons.
• Mixed Theme Application: Sometimes, you might need to use one GTK+ theme for applications and a different icon theme specifically for window decorations. This is perfectly achievable through GNOME Tweaks.

If you find a GTK+ theme you like but it lacks the correct close button, try applying a different icon theme that specifically offers the orange X button.

Troubleshooting Common Issues #

While following these steps, you might encounter some common issues. Here are a few pointers:

• Theme Not Appearing in GNOME Tweaks: Ensure you have extracted the theme correctly into the ~/.themes or ~/.icons directory. The theme folder should contain files like index.theme and gtk-3.0 directly within it, not nested within another folder.
• Incomplete Theme Application: This usually means the GTK+ theme, icon theme, and GNOME Shell theme are not perfectly synchronized. Try finding themes that are explicitly advertised as working together or are part of the same developer’s suite.
• No Orange X Button: This is almost always an issue with the icon theme. Experiment with different icon packs known for their classic Ubuntu or Ambiance look.
• Visual Glitches: Older themes or themes not perfectly adapted for the latest GNOME version can sometimes cause visual glitches. If this happens, revert to the default theme and try a different alternative.

The Unity 8 and Future Considerations #

It’s worth mentioning that the Ambiance theme was closely associated with the Unity desktop environment. While we’ve focused on recreating the look in the current GNOME desktop, there were attempts to bring Ambiance to other environments. For instance, Unity 8 (which was developed as the successor to Unity 7 and was intended for convergence) also had its own theming considerations. However, Unity 8 never fully replaced the GNOME desktop in mainstream Ubuntu releases. The image you referenced from Phoronix, showcasing Ubuntu LTS 18.04, clearly displays the Unity desktop with the iconic Ambiance theme. Replicating that exact experience on a different desktop paradigm like GNOME Shell requires finding modern adaptations.

For users who deeply miss the Unity desktop itself, there are ways to install the Unity desktop environment on newer Ubuntu versions, though this often comes with its own set of challenges and potential conflicts with the default GNOME session. If your primary goal is the Ambiance theme and the orange X button, focusing on GTK+ themes and icon themes designed for GNOME is the most direct approach.

Conclusion: Embracing a Classic Aesthetic #

Reclaiming the nice rounded theme with the orange X button on your Ubuntu system is an achievable goal. By carefully selecting and applying compatible GTK+ themes, icon themes, and potentially GNOME Shell themes, you can bring back a visual style that resonates with your experience of Ubuntu’s past. The journey might involve a bit of experimentation, trying out different theme combinations until you find the perfect match that evokes the spirit of Ubuntu 14.04, 16.04, and 18.04. We at revWhiteShadow are committed to helping you personalize your computing environment, and we hope this detailed guide empowers you to recreate that beloved classic look. Enjoy the familiar comfort and functionality of your customized Ubuntu desktop!