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

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@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".


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@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!

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-03-02T14:05:48+00:00

    Hello Zagarini

    It's never wise to get too emotional about computer technology.  Even the simplest sequence of keystrokes can go wildly astray when you factor in even the most trivial of mistakes, variations in o/s releases, etc.   Sorry you couldn't find it, but even if you do you are likely in for a disappointment.  The "Windows Classic" option in Control Panel > Personalization is a minor cosmetic makeover that does not address any of the more practical drawbacks of Windows 7.  But it does give us the blue backdrop and such that some folks find familiar.  As for "fifth party" software, hope you have absolutely nothing else on your computer that wasn't expressly written and sold by Microsoft -- after all, that would be the logical outcome of your position, would it not?

    Don't know if the forum will permit a 200 K jpg screen grab of the Windows 7 control panel menu in question, or display it well if it does, but herewith I attempt to paste one in.  For what little it's worth, hope it helps...

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