{"id":1361,"date":"2014-10-07T15:41:35","date_gmt":"2014-10-07T22:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hellbach.us\/blog\/?p=1361"},"modified":"2022-11-25T22:03:20","modified_gmt":"2022-11-26T06:03:20","slug":"make-windows-8-8-1-look-like-windows-7-xp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hellbach.us\/blog\/tech\/comp\/make-windows-8-8-1-look-like-windows-7-xp\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='__iawmlf-post-loop-links' style='display:none;' data-iawmlf-post-links='[{&quot;id&quot;:3166,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/5-reasons-love-windows-xp-sacrifice&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20250912035433\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/5-reasons-love-windows-xp-sacrifice\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:54:53&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:54:53&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3167,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.classicshell.net&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20251008042212\\\/http:\\\/\\\/www.classicshell.net\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:54:54&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-27 10:13:59&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-27 10:13:59&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3143,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/make-windows-8-suck-less-with-classic-shell&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20250908025612\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/make-windows-8-suck-less-with-classic-shell\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:52:33&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-12-09 22:32:03&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-02-12 04:05:28&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-03 18:53:53&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-18 02:18:17&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-27 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10:14:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3168,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/will-windows-10-make-productive-people-even-productive&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/will-windows-10-make-productive-people-even-productive&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3169,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/2015-way-microsoft-get-windows-8-1-start-menu-now&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20231120090337\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/2015-way-microsoft-get-windows-8-1-start-menu-now\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 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18:30:01&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-18 02:18:20&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-27 10:14:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-27 10:14:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3170,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/uxstyle.com&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20251008040429\\\/http:\\\/\\\/www.uxstyle.com\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:04&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-27 10:13:59&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-27 10:13:59&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3171,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.syssel.net\\\/hoefs\\\/software_uxtheme.php?lang=en&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20201112010959\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.syssel.net\\\/hoefs\\\/software_uxtheme.php?lang=en&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:07&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:403}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:07&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:403},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3172,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/classicshell\\\/posts\\\/473035916068603&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20210421213245\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/classicshell\\\/posts\\\/473035916068603&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:08&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:400}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:08&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:400},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3173,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/end-days-windows-xp-microsoft-will-send-pop-reminders&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20240405170250\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/end-days-windows-xp-microsoft-will-send-pop-reminders\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:09&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:09&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3174,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/xxinightxx.deviantart.com\\\/art\\\/Royale-Vs-8-1-Update-1-417858455&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20141008075005\\\/http:\\\/\\\/xxinightxx.deviantart.com:80\\\/art\\\/Royale-Vs-8-1-Update-1-417858455&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:10&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:404}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:10&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:404},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3175,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.classicshell.net\\\/forum\\\/viewtopic.php?t=1152&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20250708050913\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.classicshell.net\\\/forum\\\/viewtopic.php?t=1152&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:49&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:49&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3152,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/kizo2703.deviantart.com\\\/art\\\/Windows-classic-theme-for-Windows-8-RTM-325642288&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20140930142557\\\/http:\\\/\\\/kizo2703.deviantart.com:80\\\/art\\\/Windows-classic-theme-for-Windows-8-RTM-325642288&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:53:49&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-12-09 22:32:06&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-02-12 04:05:33&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-03 18:30:01&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-18 02:18:20&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-03-18 02:18:20&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3176,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.classicshell.net\\\/forum\\\/viewtopic.php?f=18&amp;t=2622&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3177,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/make-windows-7-look-like-windows-xp&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20250325040027\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/make-windows-7-look-like-windows-xp\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:54&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:54&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:3178,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/make-windows-8-8-1-look-like-windows-7-xp&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20251009215426\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.makeuseof.com\\\/tag\\\/make-windows-8-8-1-look-like-windows-7-xp\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:56&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2025-11-19 05:55:56&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;}]'><\/div>\n<p>Love the speed and security of Windows 8, but miss the transparent look of Windows 7? Or maybe the <a title=\"5 Reasons Why You Love Windows XP &amp; What You Sacrifice\" href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/5-reasons-love-windows-xp-sacrifice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">blues and greens of Windows XP<\/span><\/a>?<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to make Windows 8, or even 8.1, look like your favourite version of Windows from the past.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Get A Start Menu<\/h2>\n<p>First things first: if you want an experience that\u2019s anything like the Windows 7\/XP you remember, you\u2019re going to want a Start menu. Nothing makes your system feel less like a classic version of Windows than the modern (aka Metro)\u00a0Start screen.<\/p>\n<p>I recommend <a href=\"http:\/\/www.classicshell.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">Classic Shell<\/span><\/a> which, as I\u2019ve noted before, <a title=\"Make Windows 8 Suck Less With Classic Shell\" href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/make-windows-8-suck-less-with-classic-shell\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">offers you a variety of classic Start menus<\/span><\/a>. You\u2019ll recognize the three main options:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP   image\" src=\"http:\/\/cdn.makeuseof.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/classic-shell-options.png?f78cf6\" alt=\"classic shell options   How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You can choose themes for your menu, and use custom images as your Start button. As you\u2019ll see below, this makes it really easy to get a Start menu that blends perfectly with the look and feel of Windows versions past.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, and with Classic Shell installed, Windows will boot straight to the desktop. You can just about ignore the Start screen completely.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve been paying attention to <a title=\"Will Windows 10 Make Productive People Even More Productive?\" href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/will-windows-10-make-productive-people-even-productive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">the features in the upcoming Windows 10<\/span><\/a>, you know Microsoft is bringing back the Start menu. That\u2019s a year away, though, so for now if you want a Start menu you need to add your own. There <a title=\"2015!? No Way Microsoft! How To Get Your Windows 8.1 Start Menu Now\" href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/2015-way-microsoft-get-windows-8-1-start-menu-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">other ways to get a Windows 8 Start menu<\/span><\/a>, but for retro-skinning purposes I recommend Classic Shell.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Enable Custom Themes<\/h2>\n<p>Got Classic Shell installed? Good. Now let\u2019s set up your computer so that it can use custom <a title=\"Make Windows 8 Sexier With These Background &amp; Theme Tweaks\" href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/make-windows-8-sexier-with-these-background-theme-tweaks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">Windows themes<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>There are two main programs out there for the job: <a href=\"http:\/\/uxstyle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">UXStyle<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.syssel.net\/hoefs\/software_uxtheme.php?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">UXThemePatcher<\/span><\/a>. Both patch Windows 8 so that you can use custom themes \u2013 something Microsoft disables by default. I personally had better luck with UXThemePatcher, but your milage may vary.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP   image\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20181126204119\/http:\/\/cdn.makeuseof.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/skin-windows-8-ultrauxthemepatcher.png?f78cf6\" alt=\"skin windows 8 ultrauxthemepatcher   How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve patched Windows, you\u2019ll need to restart your computer. Then we\u2019ll get to the fun part.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Install Custom Themes<\/h2>\n<p>Once everything is patched, installing themes will be as easy as dragging them into the C:\\Windows\\Resources\\Themes folder on your computer.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP   image\" src=\"http:\/\/cdn.makeuseof.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/skin-windows-8-theme-folder.png?f78cf6\" alt=\"skin windows 8 theme folder   How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve installed a theme, right-click your desktop and click \u201cPersonalize\u201d. If you\u2019ve patched everything properly, and installed extra themes, you should see new options. Just click an option to use it \u2013 it\u2019s that easy.<\/p>\n<p>Now that you know how to install and use themes, let\u2019s check out some of your options.<\/p>\n<h3>Make 8 Look Like 7<\/h3>\n<p>If you want that Windows 7 look, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20200813044451\/http:\/\/xxinightxxcreative.weebly.com\/free-windows-aero.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">Windows Aero by xxinightxxcreative.<\/span><\/a>. With this you\u2019ll barely notice you\u2019re not using Windows 7:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP   image\" src=\"http:\/\/cdn.makeuseof.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/windows-8-looks-like-windows-7.png?f78cf6\" alt=\"windows 8 looks like windows 7   How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Set this up with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/classicshell\/posts\/473035916068603\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">Windows 7 custom start button<\/span><\/a>, then set Classic Shell just right, and it\u2019s hard to tell which OS you\u2019re using.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP   image\" src=\"http:\/\/cdn.makeuseof.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/windows-8-looks-like-7-start.png?f78cf6\" alt=\"windows 8 looks like 7 start   How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the closest thing to the Windows 7 look you\u2019re going to find.<\/p>\n<h3>Make 8 Look Like XP<\/h3>\n<p>More than a few of our readers were upset when <a title=\"It's The End Of Days For Windows XP \u2013 Microsoft Will Send Pop-up Reminders\" href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/end-days-windows-xp-microsoft-will-send-pop-reminders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">Microsoft announced the end of support for Windows XP<\/span><\/a>. Most simply didn\u2019t want to install a new system, but a few miss the green and blue look of that operating system.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re one of them, I recommend checking out <a href=\"http:\/\/xxinightxx.deviantart.com\/art\/Royale-Vs-8-1-Update-1-417858455\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">Royal VS<\/span><\/a>, which brings back that classic look.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP   image\" src=\"http:\/\/cdn.makeuseof.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/windows-8-like-windows-xp.png?f78cf6\" alt=\"windows 8 like windows xp   How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Grab the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.classicshell.net\/forum\/viewtopic.php?t=1152\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">proper Start button for Classic Shell<\/span><\/a> and you\u2019ve got a pretty convincing XP setup.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP   image\" src=\"http:\/\/cdn.makeuseof.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/windows-8-like-windows-xp-start.png?f78cf6\" alt=\"windows 8 like windows xp start   How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Like Classic Mode<\/h3>\n<p>Of course, back in the days of XP, many users turned off the green and blue theme in favour of Classic Mode. If you want that back, the <a href=\"http:\/\/kizo2703.deviantart.com\/art\/Windows-classic-theme-for-Windows-8-RTM-325642288\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">Windows Clasic Theme<\/span><\/a> is a close approximation of what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP   image\" src=\"http:\/\/cdn.makeuseof.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/windows-8-like-windows-classic.png?f78cf6\" alt=\"windows 8 like windows classic   How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not perfect, but it is simple. Combine it with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.classicshell.net\/forum\/viewtopic.php?f=18&amp;t=2622\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">proper Start button<\/span><\/a> and you can just about party like it\u2019s 1999.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP   image\" src=\"http:\/\/cdn.makeuseof.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/windows-8-like-windows-classic-start.png?f78cf6\" alt=\"windows 8 like windows classic start   How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Which Windows Look Will You Use?<\/h2>\n<p>So there you have it: how to make Windows 8 look like Windows 7 or XP. Part of me wishes Microsoft would offer this option by default, but I suppose they want more control over the look and feel of their product \u2013 and to give it a modern feel. Not so long ago\u00a0we also showed you <a title=\"How To Make Windows 7 Look Like Windows XP\" href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/make-windows-7-look-like-windows-xp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">how to make Windows 7 look like Windows XP<\/span><\/a>, and now we can do the same thing with Windows 8. Windows is pretty flexible, thanks to third party tools \u2013 we hope this never changes.<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to check out <a title=\"8 Features Missing in Windows 8 and How To Get Them Back\" href=\"http:\/\/hellbach.us\/blog\/tech\/comp\/8-features-missing-windows-8-get-back\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #219fe1;\">other features missing in Windows 8, and how to get them back<\/span><\/a>. Installing a theme is just the beginning.<\/p>\n<p><em>from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/tag\/make-windows-8-8-1-look-like-windows-7-xp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">makeUseOf<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Love the speed and security of Windows 8, but miss the transparent look of Windows 7? Or maybe the blues and greens of Windows XP? Here\u2019s how to make Windows 8, or even 8.1, look like your favourite version of &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hellbach.us\/blog\/tech\/comp\/make-windows-8-8-1-look-like-windows-7-xp\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-comp"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP - Hellbach blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hellbach.us\/blog\/tech\/comp\/make-windows-8-8-1-look-like-windows-7-xp\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How To Make Windows 8 or 8.1 Look Like Windows 7 or XP - Hellbach blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Love the speed and security of Windows 8, but miss the transparent look of Windows 7? Or maybe the blues and greens of Windows XP? 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