retrobar.dev
v1.22.122

Tools

Retro Makeover

Pick an old Windows and download one PowerShell script that applies the parts of the look we could test: RetroBar's theme and that version's taskbar habits, an Open-Shell Start menu with our preset, and a plain desktop colour. It saves what it changes and writes an undo script. Everything is made in your browser.

Checked against RetroBar 1.22.122Updated Tested on real Windows2 min read
On this page 5 sections
  1. The script will
  2. Run it
  3. Tested on Windows
  4. Why these choices
  5. What it does not change
Windows XP look: RetroBar on Windows Server 2025, from our test run
What the Windows XP script from this page produced on our test machine: Windows XP Blue, Open-Shell with our preset (Start button clicked) and the desktop colour. Real screenshot, Windows Server 2025 (Windows 11 shell), 2026-10-31.

The script will

    Retro-Makeover.ps1

    Download the script

    Run it

    1. Install RetroBar first

      The script does not install RetroBar: download and install it (or start the portable version). This keeps the one step that shows Windows' security prompts in your hands.

    2. Run the script as yourself

      Right-click the downloaded file › Run with PowerShell. Do not run it “as administrator”: RetroBar should run as you, and the script asks Windows for permission only for the Open-Shell installer. If Windows says running scripts is disabled, open PowerShell in your Downloads folder and run:

      PowerShell
      powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\Retro-Makeover-Windows-XP.ps1

    3. Undo, any time

      The script writes %LOCALAPPDATA%\RetroBar\Undo-RetroMakeover.ps1. Run it the same way to put back your previous RetroBar settings, Open-Shell settings and desktop. Open-Shell itself stays installed if the makeover installed it; remove it in Settings › Apps.

    Tested on Windows

    We downloaded three scripts from this page and ran them, in this order, on each test machine, then ran the undo script (2026-10-31). Open-Shell was not installed before the first script, so it tested the download, the hash check and the install.

    Windows 11 (Arm64)Windows Server 2025Windows Server 2022
    Windows 95 script
    Ran to the end without errorsYesYesYes
    RetroBar theme is Windows 95-98YesYesYes
    Open-Shell running with our presetYesYesYes
    Desktop colourYesYesYes
    Windows XP script
    Ran to the end without errorsYesYesYes
    RetroBar theme is Windows XP BlueYesYesYes
    Open-Shell running with our presetYesYesYes
    Desktop colourYesYesYes
    Windows 7 script
    Ran to the end without errorsYesYesYes
    RetroBar theme is Windows 7 Aero - Hidden LabelsYesYesYes
    Open-Shell running with our presetYesYesYes
    Desktop colourYesYesYes
    Undo script
    Ran to the endYesYesYes
    RetroBar settings back as beforeYesYesYes
    Desktop colour back as beforeYesYesYes
    Windows 95 script: the result after it ran, Start button clicked.
    Real screenshot · RetroBar 1.22.122 · Windows Server 2025 build 26100.33650Windows 95 script: the result after it ran, Start button clicked.
    Windows XP script: the result after it ran, Start button clicked.
    Real screenshot · RetroBar 1.22.122 · Windows Server 2025 build 26100.33650Windows XP script: the result after it ran, Start button clicked.
    Windows 7 script: the result after it ran, Start button clicked.
    Real screenshot · RetroBar 1.22.122 · Windows Server 2025 build 26100.33650Windows 7 script: the result after it ran, Start button clicked.

    Why these choices

    • Only what we tested. Each piece is something our test machines ran: the RetroBar themes, the Windows 7 community theme at the version we tested, Open-Shell 4.4.198 with our presets, and the settings, which are RetroBar's own settings.json keys.
    • Few settings. Besides the theme, the script changes only what that Windows version is remembered for, such as Quick Launch (not in Windows 95) or the calendar that opens from Vista's clock. Everything else keeps your current value. For more, use the Settings Builder.
    • The Open-Shell installer is checked. The script downloads Open-Shell's official 4.4.198 setup from its GitHub release and refuses to run it unless its SHA-256 matches the file we tested.
    • No copyrighted files. Windows' wallpapers, sounds and logos belong to Microsoft, so the script uses a plain colour. See the makeover checklists for wallpaper and sounds.

    What it does not change

    Window title bars, File Explorer, Settings and Store apps keep Windows 11's look: no script can change those safely. The guides for XP, 7 and 95 list each part and what can and cannot be done about it.

    Keep going

    Windows 11 like XPAn honest, tested recipe for the full XP look.Start menuPair RetroBar with Open-Shell for a classic Start menu.Settings BuilderBuild settings.json and a theme-switch script.

    Found something out of date or wrong? Tell us at hello@retrobar.dev and we will fix it.