How To Make Windows 11 Look Like 7

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Alright, feeling a bit nostalgic for the simpler days of Windows 7? You're not alone! While Windows 11 boasts a modern interface, many users still yearn for the familiar look and feel of its predecessor. The good news is that with a bit of tweaking and the help of some third-party tools, you can indeed transform your Windows 11 experience to echo the beloved Windows 7 aesthetic.

Ready to embark on this visual journey back in time? Let's dive in!

Step 1: Taming the Taskbar - Bringing Back the Icons and Labels

The taskbar is arguably the most visually distinct element that changed between Windows 7 and 11. Let's get started on making it feel more familiar.

1.1: Ungrouping Taskbar Icons

By default, Windows 11 groups multiple windows of the same application into a single icon. Windows 7, on the other hand, displayed individual icons with their labels. Here's how to bring that back:

Right-click on an empty area of your taskbar.
Select Taskbar settings.
Expand the Taskbar behaviors section.
Look for the option labeled Taskbar button grouping and set it to Never.

Voila! You should now see individual icons with their labels, just like in Windows 7.

1.2: Adjusting Icon Size (Optional)

Windows 11 icons might appear slightly different in size compared to Windows 7. While there isn't a direct setting to match the exact size, you can adjust the overall scaling of your display if needed.

Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
Under Scale & layout, you can adjust the Scale percentage. Experiment with different values until you find a size that feels closer to Windows 7.

Keep in mind that changing the display scale will affect the size of all elements on your screen, not just the taskbar icons.

Step 2: Reclaiming the Start Menu - A Classic Revival

The Start Menu underwent a significant redesign in Windows 11. Bringing back the essence of the Windows 7 Start Menu requires a third-party application.

2.1: Installing a Start Menu Replacement

Several excellent third-party applications can replicate the Windows 7 Start Menu experience. Some popular choices include:

Open-Shell (Classic Shell): A free and highly customizable option.
Start11: A paid application offering a wide range of Start Menu styles, including a convincing Windows 7 recreation.
Start Menu X: Another paid option with advanced customization features.

For this guide, we'll focus on Open-Shell (Classic Shell), as it's free and widely used.

Go to the official Open-Shell website (you can easily find it with a web search).
Download the latest version of Open-Shell.
Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

2.2: Configuring Open-Shell for Windows 7 Style

Once installed, Open-Shell will usually pop up its settings window automatically. If not, you can right-click on the Start button and select Settings.

In the Start Menu Style tab, choose the Classic Style or Windows 7 Style option (the exact wording might vary slightly depending on the Open-Shell version).
Explore the various tabs and customization options to fine-tune the appearance and behavior of the Start Menu. You can customize the menu items, skin, and more.
Pay attention to options like showing user pictures, displaying specific links, and customizing the power button actions.

Take your time to explore the Open-Shell settings and tailor the Start Menu to your liking. This is where you can truly recapture the Windows 7 feel.

Step 3: Embracing the Aero Theme (Partially)

The transparent window borders and subtle visual effects of the Aero theme were a hallmark of Windows 7. While Windows 11 doesn't have a direct Aero theme, we can achieve a similar look through customization.

3.1: Enabling Transparency Effects

Windows 11 does offer some transparency effects. Let's make sure they are enabled:

Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
Go to Accessibility and then select Visual effects.
Toggle the Transparency effects switch to On.

This will add a subtle level of transparency to elements like the Start Menu and taskbar.

3.2: Exploring Third-Party Themes (Use with Caution)

While Windows 11 doesn't officially support custom themes in the same way as Windows 7, some third-party tools and methods exist to apply custom visual styles. However, these methods can be unstable, may not work after Windows updates, and could potentially cause system issues.

Proceed with caution and only if you are comfortable with potential troubleshooting.

One popular tool for applying custom themes is SecureUXTheme.

Download and install SecureUXTheme.
Find Windows 7 themes compatible with SecureUXTheme (search online communities for these).
Place the theme files in the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes directory.
Open the Settings app, go to Personalization > Themes, and you should see the newly added themes.

Remember to create a system restore point before attempting to use third-party themes.

3.3: Customizing Window Colors

You can adjust the accent color of your windows, which can contribute to a more familiar look.

Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
Go to Personalization and then select Colors.
Choose a color palette or select a custom color that reminds you of the Windows 7 Aero theme.
Ensure the Show accent color on Start and taskbar and Show accent color on title bars and window borders options are checked.

Experiment with different colors to find one that resonates with the Windows 7 aesthetic.

Step 4: Sounding Familiar - Bringing Back Windows 7 Sound Scheme

The sound scheme of Windows 7 was quite distinct. You can often find and apply these sound schemes to your Windows 11 system.

Search online for "Windows 7 sound scheme download". Be cautious about the source and ensure it's reputable.
Once downloaded, you'll likely have a folder containing .wav sound files.
Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
Go to System and then select Sound.
Click on More sound settings. This will open the classic Sound control panel.
Go to the Sounds tab.
Under Sound Scheme, you might find an option to import or load a custom scheme. If not, you'll need to manually assign each sound event to the corresponding .wav file from your downloaded package.

This step can significantly enhance the nostalgic feeling.

Step 5: The Little Touches - Cursor and Gadgets

Small details can make a big difference.

5.1: Reverting to Windows 7 Cursors

If you prefer the Windows 7 mouse cursors:

Search online for "Windows 7 cursor scheme download". Again, choose a reputable source.
Once downloaded, you'll likely have a .inf file.
Right-click on the .inf file and select Install.
Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
Go to Bluetooth & devices and then select Mouse.
Click on Additional mouse settings. This will open the classic Mouse Properties window.
Go to the Pointers tab.
Under Scheme, select the newly installed Windows 7 cursor scheme.
Click Apply and then OK.

5.2: Exploring Desktop Gadgets (Third-Party)

Desktop gadgets were a popular feature in Windows 7, but they were discontinued for security reasons. To bring them back, you'll need to rely on third-party applications like 8GadgetPack or Desktop Gadgets Revived.

Search online for and download one of these gadget applications.
Install the application and follow the instructions.
Once installed, you'll be able to access a gallery of gadgets that you can place on your desktop.

Be mindful of the security implications of using third-party gadget applications, as they might not be actively maintained.

Step 6: Wallpaper and Icons - The Final Flourishes

To complete the transformation, set a classic Windows 7 wallpaper and consider using a Windows 7 icon pack.

6.1: Setting a Windows 7 Wallpaper

Search online for "Windows 7 default wallpaper" or browse your old files if you still have them.
Right-click on the image and select Set as desktop background.

6.2: Using Windows 7 Icons (Optional)

Applying a Windows 7 icon pack can further enhance the visual similarity.

Search online for "Windows 7 icon pack".
You'll likely need a third-party icon changer application like IconPackager (paid) or 7tsp (free, but more complex to use).
Follow the instructions provided with the icon pack and the icon changer application to apply the new icons.

Changing system icons can be a more involved process, so proceed with caution and follow instructions carefully.

By following these steps, you can significantly transform the look and feel of your Windows 11 system to resemble the familiar and comfortable environment of Windows 7. Enjoy your trip down memory lane!

How to... Frequently Asked Questions

How to uninstall Open-Shell (Classic Shell)?

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find "Open-Shell" in the list, click the three dots, and select Uninstall. Follow the on-screen prompts.

How to revert the taskbar to the default Windows 11 look?

Right-click on the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, go to Taskbar behaviors, and set Taskbar button grouping back to the default option (usually "Group and hide labels").

How to remove a custom theme applied with SecureUXTheme?

Open the Settings app, go to Personalization > Themes, and select one of the default Windows themes. You might need to uninstall SecureUXTheme to fully revert.

How to disable transparency effects in Windows 11?

Open the Settings app, go to Accessibility > Visual effects, and toggle the Transparency effects switch to Off.

How to change the default sound scheme in Windows 11?

Open the Settings app, go to System > Sound > More sound settings, and in the Sounds tab, choose a different scheme from the dropdown menu or manually assign sounds.

How to uninstall a custom cursor scheme?

Open the Settings app, go to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse settings, go to the Pointers tab, select a default scheme, and then you can potentially uninstall the custom scheme through the Registry Editor (use with caution).

How to uninstall a desktop gadget application?

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the gadget application (e.g., "8GadgetPack"), click the three dots, and select Uninstall.

How to change the desktop wallpaper in Windows 11?

Right-click on an empty area of your desktop, select Personalize, go to Background, and choose an image or slideshow.

How to revert to the default Windows 11 icons?

This process depends on the icon changer application you used. Generally, there will be an option within the application to restore default icons or you might need to uninstall the application.

How to make the Start Menu in Open-Shell look exactly like Windows 7?

Explore the various settings within Open-Shell, particularly under the "Start Menu Style" and "Skin" tabs. Experiment with different options, icon sizes, and menu layouts to match the Windows 7 appearance as closely as possible. You might need to download additional skins for a more accurate match.

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