Classic Windows Style Out of the Box?

from Stardock Forums

I'm running Windows 8.1 x64, but like many I miss the features from Windows 7.  In particular, I ran Windows 7 in "Classic Windows" style which made it look like Windows 2000, and that's the style I always want to use.  Someone directed me to WindowBlinds as a potential solution for Windows 8.1.

My question is, is this someone Window Blinds can do for me out of the box?  I'm not really interested in designing any new styles; I just want back what was taken out of Windows 8.  I did look at the website for WindowBlinds where people share their styles but didn't see anything like "Classic Windows".  Also, my attempts at googling Window Blinds "Classic Windows" kept pulling up people complaining about seeing "Classic Windows" style due to some Window Blinds crash.  (Can I run it in crashed mode to get what I want? :grin: )

 

If it's going to require a lot of work, there are some free solutions that also require a lot of work (people who've created partially working msstyles files for UxStyle), but they're free.

 

windowblinds
8,277 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

'Classic Windows' is included with Windowblinds.

If you want MS's horrid Win 8 / 8.1 to look correctly like Win2000 you'll need to restore the 'real' functionality of the Start menu with Start8 and while you're at it convince all those horrible Metro aps to function as resizable windows via ModernMix.

All are available here...;)

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yeah, but that is an older version of WindowBlinds, isn't it Paul?

 

I have the most recent version and the Classic skin isn't there. 

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 3
Yeah, but that is an older version of WindowBlinds, isn't it Paul?

 

I have the most recent version and the Classic skin isn't there. 
End of RedneckDude's quote

Ah...you could be right....that's 7 ...;)

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It does show on 7, even with the newer version of WindowBlinds. I guess Classic doesn't apply to Windows 8/8.1.  :thumbsup:

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Isn't this Windows Classic...or are you looking for XP Classic? All it needs is the Classic Start Button.

Windowblinds 8.02

 

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Yes, the one in the upper left looks like the classic style, but how come the other guys are saying it's gone?  Are you running WindowBlinds 8.02 in Windows 8 or Windows 7?

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Running Windows 7 64 bit.

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

What version of Windowblinds Uvah because I do not have that in WindowBlinds 8.01 (020 - Windows 8 Edition) - 64 bit OS

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

the high contrast themes are Windows 8 without any visual style applied. you can change the colors. you will probably still be disappointed. 

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Windowblinds 8.02 - 022 Windows 7 Edition

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 5

It does show on 7, even with the newer version of WindowBlinds. I guess Classic doesn't apply to Windows 8/8.1. 
End of RedneckDude's quote

 

Guys, it only appears on Windows 7. Windows 8 and 8.1 will not have/use the classic skin.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting moshi, reply 10
the high contrast themes are Windows 8 without any visual style applied. you can change the colors. you will probably still be disappointed. 
End of moshi's quote

Actually those high contrast themes can be made to look good if you spend a little time with them. Here is 2 that I did a couple years back.

 

 

 

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

So is there no official support from the company on this forum?  I want to buy this product but it appears there's no classic theme I can use on Windows 8.1 if I do?

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting diceclay, reply 14

So is there no official support from the company on this forum?  I want to buy this product but it appears there's no classic theme I can use on Windows 8.1 if I do?
End of diceclay's quote

 

as this has been answered one month ago, i am surprised you are not using Windows Classic already.

no, you don't need WindowBlinds. no, you don't need a custom visual style. both these options will not help you. for either of them there is a possibility somebody might one day create a skin/visual style that looks like Windows Classic. i wouldn't bet any money on that. you can also use both to create your own skin/visual style. this is not rocket science, but it is pretty time consuming, especially if you never did something like it before.

it would be much easier if you just use one of the High Contrast themes that come with Windows 8. then change the colors to your own preference. takes less than five minutes and you're done.

if the large close button irritates you, do a Google search for "close button resizer Windows 8". shouldn't take longer than another five minutes.

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting moshi, reply 15


Quoting diceclay, reply 14
So is there no official support from the company on this forum?  I want to buy this product but it appears there's no classic theme I can use on Windows 8.1 if I do?

 

as this has been answered one month ago, i am surprised you are not using Windows Classic already.

no, you don't need WindowBlinds. no, you don't need a custom visual style. both these options will not help you. for either of them there is a possibility somebody might one day create a skin/visual style that looks like Windows Classic. i wouldn't bet any money on that. you can also use both to create your own skin/visual style. this is not rocket science, but it is pretty time consuming, especially if you never did something like it before.

it would be much easier if you just use one of the High Contrast themes that come with Windows 8. then change the colors to your own preference. takes less than five minutes and you're done.

if the large close button irritates you, do a Google search for "close button resizer Windows 8". shouldn't take longer than another five minutes.
End of moshi's quote

I'm in the same spot as the OP. New laptop, upgraded to Windows 8, but now lost the ability to have the classic look that Windows 7 still allowed. I would love for WindowBlinds to have a classic looking theme like the Windows 2000 classic look. Start menu stuff is not a problem, I can fix that with Classic Shell or whatnot. Alternatively, I would also be quite glad with a *proper* XP Luna theme. There are a few "Luna" themes available for WindowBlinds, but most seem to either be variations of the original Luna, or have some bug or inconsistencies (at least when applied in Windows 8).

Using High Contrast themes is not a solution, even after costumizing the colors there is still a lot of important stuff there is significantly different from the Windows 2000 classic look. (mouseover highlights just to name a few)