Just one Terminal command brings nostalgic Windows 7 and Vista aesthetics to your Windows 11 PC
If you miss Windows Vista or 7, here’s how you can bring the vibes back to Windows 11 or 10.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What you need to know
According toStatCounter’s January report, Windows 10 still dominates the market share with 66.47%, followed by Microsoft’s two-year-old OS,Windows 11, which holds a 27.83% market share. This is a significant improvement from December’s 26.54%, which could indicate that users are transitioning to Windows 11 ahead ofWindows 10’s end-of-support, which is slated for October 2025.
Users have outrightly highlighted the design flaws consistent with Microsoft’s latest OS, especially in the Start menu, coupled withstrict minimum requirementsto run the OS, as some of the main reasons for their hesitance toupgrade to Windows 11. Windows 10’s Live Tiles, a popular and favorite feature among most users, is also seemingly missing in action in Windows 11.
As a result, there’s an emergence of third-party apps designed by developers to solve some of these issues, includingStardock’s Start11or the Files app. And now, there’s a new way to transform your Windows 11 or 10 into older and unsupported Windows operating systems, including Windows 7 or Vista.
Users can achieve this via a third-party script dubbed Revert8Plus, as spotted byBetaNews. The installation process is pretty straightforward; you only need to launch the Run box and enter the script. The transformation process takes some time, depending on the features you’d like to include while overhauling your OS.
RELATED:Remembering Windows Longhorn
It’s critical to note that you mustmanually turn off tamper protectionin Virus and Threat Protection Settings if you’re running Windows 11 on your device. However, the third-party script will do this automatically if you’re using Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8.
A dated theme for Windows 11
When you opt for the Windows 7 aesthetic during the transformation process, your OS will spot Windows 7’s taskbar, Start menu, login dialog, dated boot screen, and more. The transformation process also ships with neat features and tools like the beloved Windows Media Center.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
The same also applies to Windows Vista. Revert8Plus only changes the look and feel, not other functional elements of the OS (think of it like a traditional theme).
WARNING:When installing this third-party script, you potentially run the risk of rendering your device unusable. As such, we strongly recommend that you exercise caution.
You may also encounter some issues with Revert8Plus since it’s not fully compatible with all Windows versions, as highlighted in the list below:
Finally, when running the script, you can revert to your operating system setup by uninstalling the theme-related programs installed on your device.
Would you use it? Are your nostalgic feelings for Vista strong enough to go back in time? It’s straightforward enough if you do, so let us know in the comments or share some screenshots of your results!
Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. You’ll also catch him occasionally contributing at iMore about Apple and AI. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.
