Windows xp classic theme for windows 10

This is a quick guide to enable and use Classic theme on your Windows 8/8.1/10 installation. If you have issues or need help, please see the section below or if it’s unique, post it in the “Classic Theme Issues” section of the boards.

WinClassic is a small community of people that aims to keep Classic theme alive as much as possible. If you decide to you want to use Classic theme on your system, you do so at your own endeavor.

I also ask you read the site rules: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/2/rules

Compatibility at a glance

	Classic Theme	Taskbar	Ribbons
Windows XP	Works out of box	N/A
Windows Vista
Windows 7	Works out of box
Windows 8	Broken
Windows 8.1	Extra software required	Extra or replacement software required	Displays blank space
Windows 10
Windows 11	Replacement required

Methods to Enabling Classic Theme

1. Simple Classic Theme

   An installer program that installs and configures your Win8/10 system for using CT.

   Compatible with Windows 8.1/10 (Only tested on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 builds 1809 and up.)

   Link: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/456/reversibly-enable-disable-classic-simple

2. ClassicThemeTray

   An easy to use program that allows you to enable and disable classic theme from the notification area in the taskbar.

   Compatible with Windows 8.1/10.

   Link: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/510/classicthemetray-quickly-toggle-classic-theme

3. 6sicsix’s Classic Theme Script

   A batch script that configures your Windows 10 install for Classic theme. The script can be edited in Notepad.

   Compatible with Windows 10 builds 1607 and below only.

   Link: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/204/automatic-classic-theme-script-windows

4. Enable Classic theme via PowerShell

   A means to enable Classic theme from a Powershell window.

   Compatible with Windows 8.1/10.

   Link: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/413/reversibly-enable-disable-classic-powershell

5. Enable Classic theme via Task Scheduler

   A method to enable classic theme by using the Task Scheduler.

   Compatible with Windows 8.1 (Windows 10 untested). Requires ClassicThemeTray.

   Link: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/43/windows-classic-theme-task-scheduler

6. Disable DWM

   Most risky method of enabling classic theme. Should only be used if not on Windows 8.1/10 as it has a lot of negative side effects.

   Only use this on Windows 8 as this will break other versions.

   Link: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/121/classic-theme-dwm-disabler

Tweaks and Additional Software

1. Open-Shell

   Formally called Classic Shell, Open Shell is a free start menu replacer with skin support and massive customization potential. If you want to replicate the Windows 95 start menu or even the Windows 7 start menu, you can. It even has it’s own toolbar for Windows Explorer, and (limited) taskbar customization options. Supported by most classic taskbar programs, included SimpleClassicTheme Taskbar, RetroBar and ReactOS taskbar.

   Link: https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

2. StartIsBack

   Commercial alternative to Open-Shell. While Open/Classic-Shell aims to replicate older Windows Start menu styles as skins, StartIsBack actually brings back the original Windows 7 start menu via reverse engineering. It also allows for far greater taskbar customization with complex skins available (see the “Taskbars” portion of this section for one).

   Link: https://www.startisback.com/#download-tab

3. StarDock Start8/10/WindowBlinds

   Products from StarDock that allow you to apply skins to your start menu, taskbar, desktop and even program windows themselves. Has a rich selection of skin to download and try, but it’s also a little resource hungry.

   Link: https://www.stardock.com/products/

Taskbars

1. Simple Classic Theme Taskbar

   A classic taskbar aimed at replicating the original Windows taskbar in Windows 9x/early NT versions. Feature rich; skin support, as well as a host of customization options. Included as part of SimpleClassicTheme.

2. RetroBar

   An alternative classic taskbar project. Extremely authentic, but lacks a lot of features SCTT has. Also has the benefit of being standalone.

   Link: https://github.com/dremin/RetroBar

3. ReactOS Taskbar

   “Port” of the (older) ReactOS Explorer’s taskbar to Windows by Spitfire_x86. Has it’s fair share of issues, and is obsolete nowadays.

   Link: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/177/reactos-taskbar-win10-desktop-classic

4. Classic Taskbar Skin for StartIsBack

   Highly detailed and authentic replica skin of the Windows 7 classic taskbar, by Spitfire_x86. Skin for the program “StartIsBack”, which is commercial.

   Link: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/280/classic-taskbar-superbar-startisback

3D Borders

To apply 3D borders to context menus and the toolbar, you can do so with the third party application “UPMCalc”. Uncheck point 17, hit apply and logout. When you log back in, it should take affect.

Link: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/120/classic-theme-adjusting-upmcalc-border?page=1&scrollTo=318

Remove Address Bar

If for some reason you want to remove the Address Bar from Explorer you can do so by using this AutoHotkey script. Install AutoHotkey and then apply the script by double-clicking it to get rid of the address bar.

AutoHotkey: https://www.autohotkey.com/

Script: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/756/resource-library

Alternative Address Bar

In recent Windows 10 builds the address bar has had some changes made to it that don’t really gel with Classic theme. An alternative address bar called “Quero” can be found at the link below. Sadly, it was designed for Internet Explorer in mind, so there are a few annoyances with it — see the “Issues and Workarounds” sections for possible solutions.

Link: http://www.quero.at/

Skins for Quero: Resources > Quero skins

Restore Classic Sound Events

Windows killed off the logon/logoff and Startup sounds starting with Windows 7. To restore these without resorting to registry tweaks or using other dubious methods, you can use “ClassicSounds”, a simple program that adds itself as a service and enables the sounds to play properly.

Customize Desktop Icon Font Color/Restore Desktop Color Backgrounds

Windows 9x/early NT allowed you to have color backgrounds to the text of desktop icons. This feature was removed in Vista, but can restored using third party applications. You need to disable drop shadows first for these to work though.

To find out more, visit Application Theming > Customizing desktop icon labels.

Classic Display Properties Dialog

Adjusting Classic theme from within Windows 8/8.1/10/11 is no longer possible by default because Microsoft removed support for it in the Personalization panel/Settings. You can restore the ability to customize Classic Theme by using an old dialog from a Windows NT 5.0 beta which still works under modern Windows.

WinAero Tweaker

An essential tool that allows for making more advanced changes to your Windows installation. Don’t like the system font? Want to change the window title bar size? How about disabling adverts? Lot’s of small tweaks all from the safety of an easy to use GUI.

Link: https://winaero.com/winaero-tweaker/

Issues and Workarounds:

1. The right click menu is showing up blank with no text and really small! What do I do to fix it?

   • If you are on Windows 10 build 1607 and below, you can enable the old context menus from the registry.

     Read this thread for more information: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/26/windows-10-context-menus

   • Starting with Windows 10 build 1809 (and above), Microsoft removed the registry tweak. A workaround in the form of an experimental patch can be found here, but please note, it’s in the pre-alpha stages and is not perfect (this patch is included with SimpleClassicTheme and is not needed if you use that method of running Classic theme)

     Link: https://github.com/rikka0w0/ExplorerContextMenuTweaker/releases

2. The task manager isn’t showing! How do I get to show?

   Modern task manager isn’t compatible. You either need to use a third party one such as Process Explorer, or you can install the older Windows 7 Task Manager.

   Process Explorer: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

   W7 Task Manager: https://winaero.com/get-classic-old-task-manager-in-windows-10/

3. I can’t change my startup programs anymore!

   The modern Task manager included the feature to customize what Start up programs you have running, and yes, as stated above, that is not working under Classic theme. Workaround is use the old MS Config tool, which is also included with the Windows 7 Task Manager by WinAero.

   Windows 7 Task Manager: https://winaero.com/get-classic-old-task-manager-in-windows-10/

4. Some Control Panel links show up as “The page failed to load”. Any fix?

   Yes, some Control Panel items fail to work when Classic theme is enabled. To fix them, you need to use a Resource editor (like Resource Hacker) and manually replace the resources themselves. See this thread: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/459/fixed-control-panel-pages-win8

   Tested to work on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 1607.

5. The Windows taskbar is missing text and is all glitched out on Windows 10 sometimes. Why?

   That’s what’s left of the old, original taskbar; the usual one W10 uses places itself over the old one. Microsoft have broken the taskbar when it’s run in classic theme and that’s what you’re seeing when Windows bugs out. Simply put, it’s best to just use an alternative taskbar altogether. See the “Taskbar” portion of the “Tweaks & Additional Software” section of this guide for more information.

6. I installed the Quero address bar, but now I can’t use keyboard shortcuts. What’s the deal with that?

   Quero was designed with Internet Explorer in mind; it working on Windows Explorer is just a side effect of Microsoft’s shaddy practices during the Windows 95 days. Point in case, you need to either use an Autohotkey script to workaround this or remove a file from Quero’s program folder which causes this to happen. More information can be found here, in this thread: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/771/solution-keyboard-shortcuts-quero-on

7. Ok, Classic theme is installed and appears to be working! But — it’s all white! How do I change I customize it?

   You need an old dialog from a Windows NT 5.0 beta that has been modified to work with modern Windows setups. Look in the “Tweaks & Additional Software” portion of this Quick Guide. Note: if you use SimpleClassicTheme or 6sicsix’s Classic Theme Script, this is already installed for you.

8. I enabled Classic theme on Windows 8.1 and everything went well, but on when I restarted my computer, the taskbar is now bleach white! How do I fix it?

   This is a common issue with W8.1 when using Classic theme. To sort it out, try any of the solutions in this thread: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/760/w8-1-classic-taskbar-white

9. I’m on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, and when I enable Classic theme, Explorer breaks and freezes! What do I do?

   Microsoft broke Classic theme in Win10 build 1809 by removing a system file it relies on; LTSC 2019 is based on this build. It’s strongly advised to disable classic theme if you plan to continue using this version of Windows. See this thread for additional information on this issue: https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/343/1809-kills-explorer-classic-theme

Доброго времени суток, читатели блога.

В последней версии операционной системы разработчики из Microsoft предусмотрели множество красивых и удобных элементов. Вместе с тем они убрали несколько весьма популярных компонентов. Так, например, теперь здесь не стало виджетов, медиа-плеера и других вещей. А главное – полностью пропала классическая тема для Windows 10. В компании решили отказаться от такого внешнего вида операционки. Если кто забыл, подобное оформление в последний раз по умолчанию можно было встретить в ОС Win 2000 и Me. При этом впервые более-менее нормальный вид появился еще в версии 95.

Общие данные( к содержанию ↑ )

Подобное оформление пользовалось большим спросом среди пользователей. Особенно вид был популярен для Windows XP, ведь многие не хотели ставить голубой, оливковый или серебристый интерфейс. В следующей версии, помимо новинки с полупрозрачными панелями, также сохранились и стандартные настройки.

Для Windows 7 разработчики опять создали абсолютно новые инструменты для изменения оформления. Вместе с тем и здесь также присутствовали отголоски Win 95. Хоть многим они и казались неуместными.

Но уже для Windows 8 создатели решили убрать популярный ранее инструмент. Ведь он попросту потерял спрос среди многих клиентов.

Практически этот процесс был завершен для виндовс 10, откуда разновидность оформления операционки была удалена.

В чем собственно состоит проблема? Ответ прост – в потреблении ресурсов. Так, начиная с версии Vista, в ОС от Microsoft появился такой инструмент, как DWM, представляющий собой так называемый «оконный менеджер». Основной отличительной чертой от прошлых функций является использование видеокарты для создания интерфейса, когда классика полагается исключительно на центральный процессор.

Включение( к содержанию ↑ )

Вот и все.

Но что же делать в новых версиях операционных систем? Как сделать так, чтобы появилась необходимая строка, если она сразу не предусмотрена? Как обычно, есть несколько вариантов.

Официальная утилита( к содержанию ↑ )

Сначала стоит попробовать воспользоваться инструментами, предлагаемыми Microsoft.

Важно! Перед началом установки любой программы, меняющей внешний вид, обязательно сделайте точку восстановления системы. Детально можно узнать в первом пункте статьи Обновление устаревших драйверов бесплатно.

Иногда подобное может не работать. Если у вас так и случилось, отправляемся дальше.

Программа W8 Classic( к содержанию ↑ )

Второй вариант, как убрать привлекательные окна и поставить классические, состоит в использовании специального ПО. Сразу стоит сказать, утилита разрабатывалась энтузиастами. И нередко ее использование может привести не только к частичной потере функционала, но и полному выходу из строя операционной системы. А потому перед началом обязательно стоит сделать точку восстановления.

Итак, необходимо скачать вышеупомянутую программу. Устанавливаем и запускаем. Стоит отметить, что даже в главном окне сверху есть предупреждение о снятии с автора полной ответственности. После того, как все прочитаем, нажимаем «Enable Classic Theme now». К сожалению, программа может работать не всегда.

Если говорить про пиктограммы – изменение темы не предусматривает взаимодействие с иконками, а потому менять их нужно вручную. Для этого на пустом месте «Рабочего стола» нажимаем правой кнопкой, и выбираем «Персонализация». Затем «Темы» и «Параметры…». В конце — «Изменение значков…».

Надеюсь, вам помогла эта статья разобраться с проблемой.

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