Seelen UI: A Fully Customizable Desktop Environment for Windows
If you've ever spent time tweaking a Linux desktop with i3, KDE, or GNOME, you know the feeling of having a workspace that truly fits your workflow. On Windows, that level of deep customization has always felt a bit out of reach, locked behind system restrictions and limited third-party tools. That's where Seelen UI comes in—it's a project that aims to bring that same spirit of total control to Windows 10 and 11.
Think of it as a complete overlay for your Windows desktop. It replaces the standard taskbar, start menu, and window management with a modular, themable system built with web technologies. It's for developers and power users who want their desktop to work for them, not the other way around.
What It Does
Seelen UI is an open-source, modular desktop environment that runs on top of Windows. At its core, it provides a fully customizable panel (similar to a taskbar), a start menu replacement, and a window manager. It's built using web technologies (like the Neutralino.js framework) which makes it highly themable and extensible. You can think of it as a skin, but one that goes much deeper—altering how you interact with windows, applications, and your system tray.
Why It's Cool
The real appeal of Seelen UI is the degree of control it offers. Unlike simple theme tools, it allows you to replace fundamental parts of the Windows UI with modules that behave exactly how you want. Want a centered, translucent taskbar with custom shortcuts and a minimalist start menu? You can build that. Want to implement tiling window management or custom virtual workspace rules? That's the goal.
Because its components are built with web tech, styling them is as familiar as writing CSS. This opens the door for a community-driven theme ecosystem that could rival what you see on Linux desktops. It's a clever approach: using lightweight, modern web tech to create a performant and beautiful native overlay.
How to Try It
Ready to take it for a spin? Head over to the GitHub repository:
Make sure to read the README thoroughly. You'll find the latest releases, installation instructions, and important notes on system compatibility. Since it's a system-level tool, a degree of caution is advised—back up your data and be prepared to troubleshoot, as with any project that modifies your desktop experience. The repository is the best source for up-to-date info and community discussions.
Final Thoughts
Seelen UI is an ambitious and exciting project. It's not a polished, one-click solution yet—it's a tool for tinkerers. If you're a developer who enjoys optimizing your environment or you miss the customization freedom of Linux but need to stay on Windows, this is worth watching and contributing to. It has the potential to finally bridge that customization gap. The project feels like a passion build, and those are often the ones that grow into something really special.
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