How to make Windows 7 look like XP

Anonymous
2010-12-31T03:44:28+00:00

We purchased a new laptop for our 73 year old father who was just getting used to Win XP.  He has asked if there is any way to make the interface look and work like XP?  So my question is:  is there any way to make the interface look and work like XP?

Brian

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
@CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2011-01-13T19:43:52+00:00

If you want that same classic mode (the gray toolbars and such), that does exist in Windows 7.  Just right-click your desktop, choose Personalize, then scroll down and click "Windows Classic".

If this solves your issue, click the 'Propose as Answer' link below, and vote as helpful by clicking the green triangle to the lelft. Thanks!

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
@CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2010-12-31T14:01:43+00:00

For the most part it already does, because it was built from Windows XP.  For example, all windows still have the familiar _ and X buttons to minimize and close them.  You can also change the taskbar to show the words rather than just icons, or make other changes as you need.  While there's no "XP button", changes like this can get close.

If you are simply wanting the visual style to look like XP without changing any function, you can use a skinning program such as WindowBlinds by StarDock.

If this solves your issue, click the 'Propose as Answer' link below, and vote as helpful by clicking the green triangle to the lelft. Thanks!

Was this answer helpful?

5 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

46 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2012-10-26T14:57:03+00:00

    Thanks! The Windows seven look to me is messy, noisy, busy, blatant. It just gets on my nerves. And I am two generations younger than Brian's dad, so not only old people don't like this look.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-10-10T01:15:58+00:00

    Step 1: Download and change  the taskbar) First download the 7 to XP pack.zip file,then save it.

    Open it with WinRAR and extract it to your desktop.

    Click on the folder.

    Then,to do the taskbar,click on Start orb changer.

    Run the Windows 7 Start Button Changer v2.6 application.

    Click Select & Change Start Button.

    Click the Windows 7 orb next to it.

    Look for Windows XP start.bmp.

    Click it.

    It will change the taskbar thingy.

    If this solves your issue, click the 'Propose as Answer' link below, and vote as helpful by clicking the green triangle to the left. Thanks!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2012-09-15T22:56:17+00:00

    I know I can't help you restore everything, but I'd like to help where I can.  For your folder customizing woes, I actually recent wrote a blog post about it.  It's frustrating I know, but this will show how to apply a style to all your folders at once.

    http://skeene.net/tech/apply-folder-styles-to-all-subfolders/

    • Ironically I hear the opposite complaint a lot:  "I want to apply a different sort to each folder!"  Alas, there is no 'one size fits all' here.

    You can make all folders appear in a tree by right-clicking an empty area in the folder list and choosing 'show all folders'.  It will be the same order as before, with the desktop at the top.

    Hopefully that helps get at least a few settings back to the way you prefer.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments