Giving your Java application a Windows look and feel

By default, Swing components are given what is called the Metal Look and Feel. This gives your application a look which is quite different from many non-Java applications.

To make your Java application look like it is a "native" Windows or Mac OS (etc) application, add the following line of code at startup:

UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());

Now, your application will look like other applications on the platform they are running on.