Review
RetroBar review
We installed RetroBar 1.22.122 on Windows 11 and two Windows Server versions and put it through every theme, edge, setting and menu with a test script, then looked at its source and its issue tracker. Here is what we found: it is the best way to get a real Windows 95 to Vista taskbar on Windows 11, with a few limits worth knowing first.
On this page 6 sections
Short answer
Is RetroBar good?
Yes, for what it sets out to do. It reproduces the Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP and Vista taskbars convincingly, uses little memory and practically no CPU, needs no administrator rights, and comes off cleanly. It only replaces the taskbar, though: for a classic Start menu you add Open-Shell, and windows keep the Windows 11 look.
What it does well
- Looks right. 19 built-in themes from Windows 95 to Vista, drawn from real artwork: the XP Start buttons, Vista's orb, the classic bevels, XP's collapsing notification area. See them all on the themes page.
- Works like the old taskbar. Text task buttons, Quick Launch, several rows, any screen edge, the classic right-click menus, even “Task Manager…” with the dots in the 9x themes.
- Light. About 115 to 135 MB of memory and practically no CPU at idle in our measurements; its taskbar appeared about a second after starting.
- Safe to try. Installs per user without administrator rights, changes no system files, and Exit or uninstall brings the Windows taskbar straight back; we checked both.
- Free and open. Apache 2.0, developed in public since 2020 by Sam Johnson, with 47 languages and regular releases.
- Customisable. 41 settings and custom themes as plain XAML files.
What to know before you install
- No Start menu of its own. Its Start button opens the Windows 11 menu; add Open-Shell for a classic one.
- Taskbar only. Windows, title bars and File Explorer keep the Windows 11 look.
- Not code-signed, so SmartScreen warns on first run.
- Wi-Fi icon: Windows 11 24H2 removed it for third-party taskbars (workaround).
- Full-screen apps: much improved since 1.19, but some browser videos and games still show the taskbar on top (details).
- Downloaded themes can break it. A theme that points to missing images crashed RetroBar in our tests; check themes with our Theme Checker.
- No command line. Switching themes from a script needs a workaround like our Settings Builder script.
Performance, measured
| Machine | Theme | Start to taskbar | Working set | Private memory | CPU when idle | Threads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 (Arm64) | Windows 95-98 | 0.91 s | 135.5 MB | 40.8 MB | 0.195 % | 20 |
| Windows XP Blue | 1.27 s | 141.3 MB | 47.9 MB | 0.234 % | 20 | |
| Windows Vista Aero | 1.26 s | 127.9 MB | 46.3 MB | 0.286 % | 20 | |
| Windows Server 2025 | Windows 95-98 | 1 s | 122.4 MB | 42.7 MB | 0.026 % | 20 |
| Windows XP Blue | 1.26 s | 133.5 MB | 53.5 MB | 0.039 % | 20 | |
| Windows Vista Aero | 1.28 s | 132.8 MB | 52.6 MB | 0.039 % | 20 | |
| Windows Server 2022 | Windows 95-98 | 0.83 s | 115.3 MB | 43.7 MB | 0 % | 19 |
| Windows XP Blue | 0.86 s | 126.8 MB | 55.6 MB | 0 % | 19 | |
| Windows Vista Aero | 0.88 s | 125.7 MB | 53 MB | 0 % | 20 |
Who it is for
| If you want | RetroBar? |
|---|---|
| The Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP or Vista taskbar on Windows 10 or 11 | Yes, the best fit |
| Text task buttons, several rows, a taskbar on the side, Quick Launch | Yes |
| A complete Windows XP or 7 look, windows included | Partly: combine it with Open-Shell and other tools (what to combine) |
| Windows 10's taskbar and Start menu on Windows 11 | No: ExplorerPatcher or StartAllBack suit that better (compared) |
| A Windows 7-style taskbar | Not built in; a community theme exists (Windows 7 theme) |
Verdict
RetroBar does one thing and does it properly: a faithful, light, free classic taskbar that can be removed in seconds. It is the first thing to install for anyone who misses Windows 95 to XP, and with Open-Shell next to it, the result is close enough to fool the eye at a glance. Its rough edges are honest ones, mostly set by what Windows 11 allows, and the project is actively maintained: version 1.22.122 came out on August 2, 2026 and 53 further changes are already waiting for the next release.
Questions
Does RetroBar affect performance?
Very little in our tests: about 115 to 133 MB of memory, practically no CPU when idle, and its taskbar on screen about a second after starting, on three machines (measurements). Windows' own taskbar is hidden, not removed, while RetroBar runs, and it comes back when you exit RetroBar.
Is RetroBar worth it?
If you want a classic taskbar that behaves like the old one, yes: it is free, light, open source and easy to remove. If you only want Windows 11's taskbar to look different, a styling tool may suit you better; see alternatives.
Keep going
Found something out of date or wrong? Tell us at hello@retrobar.dev and we will fix it.