Introduction:

Microsoft’s Windows 11 has brought a slew of new features and improvements. However, many long-time users who had become accustomed to the Windows 7 interface might find certain aspects of Windows 11 unfamiliar or overwhelming. Fortunately, you can customize Windows 11 to closely resemble the classic Windows 7 look. In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to make Windows 11 look like Windows 7.

Step 1: Classic Start Menu

The most noticeable change in Windows 11 is the centered taskbar and start menu. To get the classic feel, you can use third-party applications such as Open-Shell, StartIsBack, or StartAllBack – all of which allow you to replace the new start menu with a customizable classic one.

Step 2: Customize Taskbar

To reposition the taskbar icons to the left side, like they were in Windows 7, simply right-click the taskbar, choose “Taskbar Settings” from the context menu, and then toggle the “Taskbar Behaviors” setting to “Left.” This will move your taskbar icons back to their familiar location.

Step 3: Adjusting Window Borders

Windows 7 has a distinct look in terms of window borders. You can install a custom theme called Aero Lite for Windows 11 that closely resembles the Aero theme used in Windows 7. Once installed, this theme will restore window borders and give your system an almost authentic-looking vintage appearance.

Step 4: Classic System Tray Icons

You may miss some system tray icons exclusive to the older versions of Windows. To bring them back, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Corner Overflow. Toggle on the features you want visible in your taskbar, such as Volume or Network settings.

Step 5: Classic File Explorer

The file explorer in Windows 11 has also undergone some significant changes. To restore the classic look, you can use OldNewExplorer, which is a third-party free utility that reverts the File Explorer layout to Windows 7 style.

Conclusion:

It’s entirely possible to make your Windows 11 system resemble Windows 7 by following these simple steps. While you might not be able to replicate the Windows 7 experience in its entirety, these customizations will undeniably bring a touch of nostalgia to your upgraded system. So, go ahead and enjoy the best of both worlds – advanced features of Windows 11 with the classic design of Windows 7.