Make Windows 10, like Windows 95
For some people, they might find the overall Windows 95 aesthetic more pleasing. For me personally, I find it easier to focus on the work I’m doing. Disabling notifications, reducing colors to greys, simple colored wallpapers. Even the sharper pixels and other special visual features removed can increase a computers speed slightly. You can even play older games on your newer computer thanks to programs like DOSBox, WineD3D and services like GOG.
I compiled a list of things to change in Windows 10 to help your computer look more like a vintage Windows 95 machine.
Classic Start Menu & Grey Colors
Install a program called Open Shell Menu (previously Classic Shell). Right click on your start button and change the start menu to look more classic. Also, change the taskbar colors to a grey color. Almost matching the start menu button image below. Don’t forget to open the Personize menu from the backgound and change the theme color to grey to keep the window coloring to a more classic color.
Set the start button image for this:
Classic Screen Savers
These are .scr files that you will place in your “Windows/System32" folder. You can download the screensaver files from here. Now right click on your Windows wallpaper desktop and click “Personalize”. Click “Themes” on the left menu, select “Theme Settings”. Click “Screen Saver” and select which new screensaver you want.
Classic Wallpapers
You can download Widescreen HD Windows 95 wallpapers by simply using Google Images, or you can right click on your Desktop wallpaper and select “Personalize” and change your wallpaper to a solid color.
Shutdown and Bootup Sounds
After Windows 7, there bootup and shutdown sounds were removed. I made a small C# app that can now re-create those features. You can download it here. On the GitHub page, it will show you how to set it up.
Classic Desktop Icons
Right click on your Desktop and click “Personalize”. Click Themes on the left menu, select “Desktop Icons” option. Check any non-checked checkboxes. Click “Change Icon…” to change the icon…
