retrobar.dev
v1.22.122

Windows versions

RetroBar on Windows 7 and 8.1

RetroBar still supports Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1, so you can put the Windows 95 or XP taskbar on a Windows 7 PC too. Those systems use a separate RetroBar build that runs on .NET 6, and a fresh Windows 7 needs one extra Windows update. We cannot run Windows 7 in our automated tests, so this page is built from RetroBar's source code, its installer, its maintainer's confirmations and Microsoft's documentation, each linked.

Checked against RetroBar 1.22.122Updated 3 min read
On this page 6 sections
  1. What you need
  2. The update a fresh Windows 7 needs
  3. Installing
  4. What is different from Windows 10 and 11
  5. Support status
  6. Questions

Short answer

Does RetroBar work on Windows 7?

Yes, on Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, and on Windows 8.1, in 32-bit and 64-bit. Use the normal installer, which picks the Windows 7/8.1 build by itself, or run RetroBar.exe from the Win7-8 folder of the portable zip. It needs the .NET 6 Desktop Runtime, and on a freshly installed Windows 7 also the update KB3063858.

What you need

Windows 7 SP1Windows 8.1
RetroBar buildThe .NET 6 build: chosen by the installer automatically, or the Win7-8\x64 / Win7-8\x86 folder in RetroBar.Portable.zip
Runtime.NET 6 Desktop Runtime, 6.0.2 or later (the installer downloads 6.0.36)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2019 RedistributableRequired by .NET 6Required by .NET 6
Windows update KB3063858Required on a fresh installNot needed
ArmNo Arm build for these versions

The runtime prerequisites are from Microsoft's Install .NET on Windows page. The installer's behaviour is from RetroBar's installer.iss for 1.22.122. We checked on 31 October 2026 that Microsoft still serves the 6.0.36 runtime files the installer downloads.

The update a fresh Windows 7 needs

On a clean Windows 7 SP1 that has not had years of updates, RetroBar may not start at all, even with .NET 6 installed: .NET 6's start-up file (hostfxr.dll) only works once update KB3063858 is installed. A user found this in RetroBar's tracker, and RetroBar's maintainer confirmed that this one update is enough on a clean install (#1319, January 2026). Microsoft lists the same update as a prerequisite for .NET on Windows 7. A Windows 7 that already has most updates installed usually has the needed files from other updates.

Installing

  1. Install KB3063858 (fresh Windows 7 only)

    From Microsoft's update catalogue, for 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7, then restart.

  2. Run the RetroBar installer

    The same RetroBar.Installer.zip as for Windows 10 and 11. On Windows 7 and 8.1 it installs the .NET 6 build of RetroBar and, if no .NET 6 Desktop Runtime is installed, downloads 6.0.36 from Microsoft and starts its installer. As on newer Windows, that installer's window may open behind setup (see the install guide).

  3. Or use the portable build

    Extract RetroBar.Portable.zip and run RetroBar.exe from Win7-8\x64 (64-bit Windows) or Win7-8\x86 (32-bit). Install the .NET 6 Desktop Runtime yourself first, from dotnet.microsoft.com.

What is different from Windows 10 and 11

  • Clicking the clock does nothing by default; on Windows 10 and 11 it opens the notification centre. On Windows 7 and 8.1 the only other choice is the Aero calendar (Properties › Notification area › Clock click action); the Modern calendar and notification centre options are hidden.
  • System icons are not inverted by default (“Invert system icons: Never”), because Windows 7's own tray icons already suit a light taskbar.
  • Two options are hidden on Windows 7 and 8.1: “Allow blur behind transparent taskbar” and “Show Start button on all taskbars”.
  • Everything else, including all 19 themes, Quick Launch and the settings file, is the same.

Support status

Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 in 2020, for Windows 8.1 in 2023, and for .NET 6 on 12 November 2024: “There is no longer a version of .NET that's supported on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1”, as its documentation puts it. RetroBar 1.22.122 still ships builds for them, and its maintainer updated the Windows 7 instructions in January 2026, but security fixes for the .NET 6 runtime itself have stopped.

Questions

Does RetroBar work on Windows 8 (not 8.1)?

No. RetroBar lists Windows 8.1; Windows 8 needs the free upgrade to 8.1 first.

Does it work on Windows Vista or XP?

No. The oldest supported version is Windows 7 with Service Pack 1.

RetroBar does not start on Windows 7 even with .NET 6. What now?

Install KB3063858 and the Visual C++ 2015-2019 Redistributable, restart, and try again. That is the fix confirmed in #1319.

Keep going

DownloadThe right official file for your PC, with verified hashes.InstallInstaller and portable, every screen, SmartScreen and .NET.Windows 11Hiding the Windows 11 taskbar, tray icons and the 2026 changes.

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