♪ Listen while you read: NeuroCity by S1M0N3
This setup is intended for Linux users with intermediate to advanced experience. It involves modifying system configuration files, replacing the window manager, and potentially dealing with package conflicts. Proceed only if you know how to recover your system if something goes wrong (e.g. via TTY or chroot from a live USB). The author takes no responsibility for malfunctions, instability, or damage to your system resulting from following this guide. Proceed at your own risk.
The Name: Trelix. "Tri" stands for the three components merged together. "-lix", from helix: different parts intertwining into one identity.
What it merges: LXDE acts as the solid base (lightweight and GTK3 updated), xfce4-panel handles the panel layout, and KWin provides advanced window management, shadows, and transitions. Qt/Breeze ensures strict visual consistency across the entire ecosystem.
Rice, not an OS: Trelix is not a standalone distribution. It’s a rice: a custom configuration built on top of an existing Arch-based system (tested on EndeavourOS), reproducible on any Arch-based distro. With the right package manager adjustments, it can also be reproduced on Debian/Ubuntu (apt), Fedora (dnf), and others.
Ensure your package databases are up to date:
sudo pacman -SyuInstall the core LXDE system, Xfce panel, and essential background utilities:
sudo pacman -S lxde
sudo pacman -S xfce4-panel xfce4-pulseaudio-plugin xfce4-notifyd pavucontrolOptional: for a more modern application menu, you can also add:
sudo pacman -S xfce4-whiskermenu-pluginTo avoid visual mismatches between GTK and Qt software, grab the Breeze engine and configuration tools:
sudo pacman -S qt5ct qt6ct systemsettings
sudo pacman -S breeze breeze-gtk breeze-iconsInstall the X11 window manager from KDE. We deliberately skip Wayland to focus on maximum performance and hardware recovery for machines up to 13 years old:
sudo pacman -S kwin-x11You can run a quick terminal test before saving changes permanently:
kwin_x11 --replace &To make KWin your permanent manager, edit the main session file:
nano ~/.config/lxsession/LXDE/desktop.confLocate the window manager entry and change the command value to kwin_x11.
For a clean, "Windows Lite" clear aesthetic, apply the following choices:
systemsettings)Keep the environment blazing fast by replacing heavy applications with these alternatives:
sudo pacman -S audacious viewnior engrampa atril galculatorabiword for a minimal setup, or libreoffice for full features.Open the LXSession default applications settings tool (lxsession-default-apps):
@lxpanel-profile LXDE and uncheck it (do NOT remove it completely).xfce4-panel &
xfce4-power-manager &This guide applies to LXDE users on different Linux distributions. The configuration steps are the same, but package installation commands are different.
Arch Linux / EndeavourOS / Manjaro
Install packages with: sudo pacman -S package-name
Example: sudo pacman -S pasystray
Ubuntu / Linux Mint / Debian
Install packages with: sudo apt install package-name
Example: sudo apt install pasystray
Fedora
Install packages with: sudo dnf install package-name
Example: sudo dnf install pasystray
On LXDE, it can happen that:
volumeiconIn this situation, the problem is not necessarily related to missing GTK libraries or a broken lxpanel configuration. In many cases, volumeicon is simply started too early, before the LXDE session has completely initialized the system tray.
Create a personal scripts directory:
mkdir -p ~/.local/binCreate the script:
nano ~/.local/bin/start-volumeiconInsert:
#!/bin/sh
sleep 8
export DISPLAY=:0
export XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=LXDE
exec /usr/bin/volumeiconSave using: CTRL + O, ENTER, CTRL + X
Make the script executable:
chmod +x ~/.local/bin/start-volumeiconEdit:
nano ~/.config/lxsession/LXDE/autostartKeep the standard LXDE entries:
@lxpanel --profile LXDE
@pcmanfm --desktop --profile LXDE
@xscreensaver -no-splashThen add (replace USERNAME with your actual user name):
@/home/USERNAME/.local/bin/start-volumeiconExample: @/home/michael/.local/bin/start-volumeicon
Save the file and log out/log back in.
After logging into LXDE again, the VolumeIcon tray icon should appear automatically.
If you do not want to use scripts or troubleshoot VolumeIcon startup behavior, a very practical solution is pasystray.
Arch Linux / EndeavourOS / Manjaro
sudo pacman -S pasystrayUbuntu / Linux Mint / Debian
sudo apt install pasystrayFedora
sudo dnf install pasystrayStart it:
pasystraypasystray works well with LXDE because it is a standard tray application and communicates directly with PulseAudio/PipeWire.
Features:
To start it automatically, add:
@pasystrayto: ~/.config/lxsession/LXDE/autostart
volctl is a modern and very good application, but it uses the StatusNotifierItem protocol. On LXDE it may fail if the required service, StatusNotifierWatcher, is not available.
The typical error is:
Failed to register to the StatusNotifierWatcher
org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknownIn this case, the problem is not the audio system. The missing component is the StatusNotifier infrastructure, which is normally provided by desktop environments such as KDE Plasma but is not included by default in LXDE.
This guide explains how to create an ultra‑lightweight MATE desktop on Arch/EndeavourOS (or Artix) while keeping modern transparencies, effects, and excellent responsiveness.
The goal is to replace Caja with PCManFM for better performance, use lightweight applications instead of the default ones, and keep MATE minimal (no mate-extra) for maximum speed.
Ensure you already have an Arch/EndeavourOS installation with:
If Xorg is missing:
sudo pacman -S xorg-server xorg-xinitInstall LightDM and enable it:
sudo pacman -S lightdm lightdm-gtk-greeter
sudo systemctl enable lightdmsudo pacman -S mateAdd the volume applet:
sudo pacman -S mate-mediasudo pacman -Rns caja
sudo pacman -S pcmanfmSet PCManFM as your default file manager:
Control Center → Preferred Applications → File Manager → PCManFM
Open: Control Center → Startup Applications
Add a new startup entry with the following command:
pcmanfm --desktopLog out and log back in to apply the changes.
Note: Advanced users can also create a .desktop file manually in ~/.config/autostart, but this is not required.
sudo pacman -S lxterminalsudo pacman -S viewniorsudo pacman -S photoflaresudo pacman -S leafpadsudo pacman -S galculatorsudo pacman -S atrilsudo pacman -S abiword
Install Plank:
sudo pacman -S plankTo start Plank automatically, open: Control Center → Startup Applications
Add a new startup entry with the following command:
plankAfter logging back in, configure Plank with these recommended settings:
Note: Creating a manual .desktop file in ~/.config/autostart is optional and not required.
Note: The Blue Submarine theme is a default MATE theme.
No need for Picom. Marco’s built-in compositor is light and efficient.
Enable via: Control Center → Windows → Enable software compositing.
LXTerminal supports transparency with Marco.
sudo pacman -Rns $(pacman -Qdtq)Removes only unused dependencies.
You now have a MATE desktop that is:
Perfect for older hardware, low-RAM systems, or anyone who wants a clean and fast experience.
As part of this setup, I created a personal collection of icons inspired by the early 2000s crystal/glass aesthetic, mixed with a modern touch.
The goal is to recreate the visual feeling of KDE, Windows XP, and Windows Vista, while keeping compatibility with modern Linux desktops.
This collection includes GTK icon themes, cursors, and Linux distribution logos, organized by style and brightness.
Crystal 2000s/
├── Light/
│ ├── Oxygen
│ ├── Oxygen Customized
│ ├── Oxylite
│ ├── KrystalSVG
│ ├── Nova7
│ └── Hydronium
├── Dark/
│ ├── LTF2 (learning to fly)
│ ├── Crystal Remix
│ ├── Fekete
│ └── Baphomet
├── Cartoon style/
│ └── Noia KDE Reloaded 2019
└── Cursors/
└── Crystal/
├── White
├── Red
├── Green
├── Gray
└── BlueDownload the icons from here: Crystal Icons Pack
The icon themes are based on classic crystal and glass effects typical of the 2000–2008 era, featuring:
They pair extremely well with MATE, XFCE, and other lightweight desktop environments, especially when combined with themes inspired by Windows XP, Vista, or early KDE.
In addition to application icons, I also worked on a set of Linux distribution logos redesigned as glossy orbs, inspired by the Windows Vista start menu and system icons.
Some distributions were missing or incomplete, so I manually recreated and adapted their logos to match the existing crystal style.
For example, the Arch Linux orb was added by modifying and extending an existing icon pack originally found on GNOME/KDE Look:
GNOME/KDE Cristal Look – Windows style Start Orbs
All added or modified logos were carefully matched in:
The collection also includes crystal-style cursor themes, available in multiple colors:
These cursors are lightweight, highly visible, and perfectly suited for transparent and glass-themed desktops.
The Crystal 2000s collection integrates perfectly with:
This extra tool completes the visual identity of the system, turning a lightweight desktop into a cohesive retro-modern Linux experience.
This guide shows how to transform the MATE desktop environment on EndeavourOS Linux into a faithful modern recreation of Windows XP. By combining XP Embedded themes, Vista-style icons, and Metacity-based window decorations, the result closely resembles the classic Microsoft system while remaining fully modern, secure, and functional.
This setup is ideal for users who love vintage desktop aesthetics but still want a lightweight and up-to-date Linux system.
For historical context and nostalgia:
Neowin – Looking Back on Windows XP
Note: MATE is based on the GNOME 2 design philosophy, not GNOME 3. This makes it particularly suitable for recreating classic desktop layouts such as Windows XP.
Thanks for watching and supporting retro-style Linux customization!
If you want to see more Linux customization videos, visit my Odysee channel:
Linux Customization Playlist
This is the second and final part of the guide dedicated to transforming Linux into a modern Windows XP experience. After starting with MATE, the entire setup was fully migrated to Xfce, using the terminal to gain finer control over components, services, and visual behavior.
The visual result is further refined through the use of XP-inspired GTK themes, classic icon packs, and animated cursors. Thanks to the excellent work of the RedmondXP and B00merang Project, the final look is polished, coherent, and remarkably faithful to the original Windows XP style.
This approach is ideal for users who want the timeless aesthetics of Windows XP combined with the stability, speed, and flexibility of a lightweight and modern Linux desktop.
This concludes the Windows XP visual transformation series. A nostalgic desktop, rebuilt with modern Linux tools.
If you want to see more Linux customization videos, visit my Odysee channel:
Linux Customization Playlist
