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".

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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@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
    2013-12-22T16:50:10+00:00

    Right click a blank area of the Windows 7 taskbar, choose Properties, then select "Always show labels" from the drop down menu. Then any programs that are running will have labels, just like XP did:

    Many thanks for your reply, unfortunately when I open Properties from a blank area in the taskbar there is no drop down menu. There is a window that opens when I select the Taskbar Tab and no where in window is there an option to select Always show labels. I am running Win 7 Pro. Any other suggestions?

    I thought I had previously changed to Windows Classic but maybe that didn't take.

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  2. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-12-22T18:24:05+00:00

    Sorry, I didn't have it in front of me. The precise option you want is "never combine" as shown here:

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-10T16:37:49+00:00

    Just download windows classic shell, all the stuff they should have included and didnt, works on window 8 as well

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