I am reminded of the ability MANY years ago to write the kernel file directly to a floppy disk, or start of a hard drive and somehow being able to boot that way.
I just can't recall how I did it, or WHY I did it.
Back when the kernel would fit on a floppy disk. I am truly showing my age.
6 yr old grandson found a box of old floppy disks and was asking what they were. He started stacking them up making card houses and roads for his matchbox cars. Glad he got some use out of those recycled AOL floppies.
It's going to depend on what desktop environment you are using, the default Gnome launcher has a huge full screen launcher setup.
there may be gnome extensions for another look.
Gnome is not the same look, but similar in its oversized UI.
I hate it.:)
I tend to use some other quick launchers. or a simple nested applications menu.