Making Windows 11 look like Windows 95 isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but with a few tweaks here and there, it’s definitely doable. Those who’ve given this a burl know it’s a bit of a balancing act — you want that retro vibe, but your system still needs to run smoothly. Here’s the real-world rundown based on what’s actually worked for a few setups.
Transforming Windows 11 Into Windows 95
First up, these steps mainly change your system’s visual stuff: desktop icons, taskbar, fonts, colours — the basics to recreate that old-school Windows 95 look. If that’s what you’re after, keep reading. Just a heads up, it’s not always perfect; sometimes themes don’t look identical, but close enough to bring a smile of nostalgia.
Step 1: Download a Windows 95 Theme
Start by grabbing a Windows 95 theme that’s compatible with Windows 11 — yep, some clever buggers still make ’em. Search for stuff like “Windows 95 theme for Windows 11” on sites like DeviantArt or Reddit. Stick to trusted sources because some files are dodgy. Once you’ve got it, head to Settings > Personalisation > Themes, then hit Apply or double-click the theme file — often that works better than clicking Apply from the menu. It can be a bit hit or miss, but a quick restart of Explorer or the whole PC can help lock it in.
Step 2: Install Classic Shell or Open-Shell
Windows 11’s Start menu is pretty modern, so to get that old-school start button back, install Open-Shell. It’s free and still kept up-to-date. Once installed, open the app and customise the start menu to look just like Windows 95. There are some community-made configs out there for that classic look, so have a sift. This helps with that nostalgic taskbar and start button, which are pretty much the hallmark of the old OS.
Step 3: Change Icons to Windows 95 Style
You’ll want icons that look straight out of the 90s. Find some icon packs online (stick to reputable sources), and save the icons (.ico files). To change an icon, right-click your shortcut or folder, select Properties > Change Icon, then browse to where you saved the pack. Expect a bit of trial-and-error; not all icons will look perfect, but that’s part of the fun. If icons look weird or don’t update properly, rebuilding the icon cache with a quick PowerShell command like ie4uinit.exe -cleariconcache can sort it out.
Step 4: Adjust the Taskbar Settings
The Windows 95 taskbar was pretty plain: small icons, no fancy animations. Right-click the taskbar, go to Taskbar settings. Turn off Use small taskbar buttons for that vintage size. Disable animations by toggling off Show animations in Windows. Set the colour to a flat greyish tone — go to Colors and pick a solid, muted grey palette. On some machines, these changes apply instantly; on others, a restart might be needed.
Step 5: Modify System Fonts
This part’s a bit more fiddly — go to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalisation > Fonts. Replace the default fonts with something similar to MS Sans Serif (it might not be available straight away, so you might need to copy it over from an older Windows install). Changing fonts everywhere gives that authentic vintage text look, especially in File Explorer and menus. Sometimes you’ll need to reboot or log out and back in for the font changes to kick in.
And don’t forget, Windows 11 has a lot of visual layers. You might want to tweak Backgrounds or disable transparency effects to get that flat, old-school feel. Because, of course, Windows can be a bit complicating, right?
Tips for Making Windows 11 Look Like Windows 95
- Back up your current setup: Before you get stuck into tinkering, make a system restore point. Better safe than sorry if things go pear-shaped.
- Use quality resources: Grab high-res icons and themes so the resolution doesn’t look fuzzy. Looks do matter if you want that authentic throwback.
- Explore other tools: If you’re keen, apps like Rainmeter or DesktopCoral can help craft that old desktop vibe with useful widgets and menus.
- Check compatibility: Some third-party themes or tools might cause issues. Read user reviews first before installing.
- Keep everything updated: Make sure your tools are patched; Windows updates can sometimes break that retro look after a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to muck around with the Windows 11 interface?
If you stick to well-known themes and trusted tools, yeah, it’s all good. Just steer clear of sketchy sources or scripts — Windows can throw a spanner in the works if you break something major.
Can I switch back to the standard Windows 11 look?
You bet. Just undo the themes, uninstall the tools, or restore your backup. A quick reboot or restarting Explorer (taskkill /f /im explorer.exe then explorer.exe) will do the trick.
Will these visual changes slow my PC down?
Most of the time, no. Lightweight themes won’t drag your system. But if you chuck on heavy skins or lots of Rainmeter widgets, it might slow things down a bit. Keep an eye on performance if you notice lag.
Are these tweaks permanent?
No worries — you can switch back whenever you like. Just reverse or remove the themes and tools; it’s all reversible, no stress.
Will I lose any files doing this?
Nup. Your files, apps, and settings stay as they are. This just changes how your desktop looks, that’s all.
Summary
- Download a vintage Windows 95 theme (trust me, it’s worth the effort).
- Install Classic Shell or Open-Shell to get the old start menu back.
- Swap out icons for that pixelated Windows 95 style.
- Play with taskbar settings — turn off animations and pick a grey tone.
- Adjust fonts across your system to suit the retro look.
Conclusion
Honestly, it’s pretty fun having a crack at this, and it doesn’t take much to recreate that retro Windows 95 look on a modern PC. A few downloads, some clicks, and maybe a restart or two. The end result? A system that oozes vintage charm but can still run the latest Windows without any dramas. Kinda rebellious and nostalgic at the same time, right?
Hopefully, this helps someone knock over their own retro setup a bit quicker. Not perfect, but close enough to enjoy a throwback desktop without too much faffing around.