In case you ask me, graphic design peaked in 2001 with Home windows XP’s vivid blue taskbar and inexperienced begin button. Each UI design alternative since was made by cowards.
OK, you won’t share my ardour for the Home windows XP taskbar, which is okay (I assume). However perhaps you miss the easy gray aesthetic of Home windows 2000, or the comforting orb of Vista. No matter your taskbar desire, you may convey it again with RetroBar, a free, open supply utility that replaces the taskbar in Home windows 11 with one thing higher. (It’s going to additionally work for those who’re operating an older model, together with Home windows 7 SP1, Home windows 8.1, or Home windows 10.)
To get began, obtain the appliance from Github. There’s an installer and a transportable utility—use whichever you favor. Notice that Home windows could stop you from operating the appliance due to an unknown writer, which is a commonsense safeguard, however you may click on the Run anyway button must you select to make use of the software program regardless. When you do, you’ll instantly see the traditional gray taskbar of yore.
Credit score: Justin Pot
You possibly can right-click an empty space within the taskbar after which click on Properties to convey up the choices menu, which lets you select from all kinds of taskbars. (The one you are most likely on the lookout for is called “Home windows XP Blue.”)
What do you suppose to this point?
Credit score: Justin Pot
Apparent aesthetic advantages apart, the Home windows XP taskbar does work in another way from the Home windows 11 taskbar in a couple of methods I discover useful:
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Each window is represented on the taskbar, not simply every utility.
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The launcher icons, to the left, are saved seperate from the at present open home windows.
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It’s also possible to change the scale of the taskbar to make extra room, similar to you can again within the day.
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You possibly can customise what occurs whenever you click on the clock—I want seeing the calendar.
In case you resolve you need the Home windows 11 taskbar again in any case, you may right-click an empty area on the taskbar and select Exit Retrobar. You possibly can all the time launch the appliance once more, the following time you resolve to reject modernity and embrace custom.
