Windows 11 is all about modernizing the desktop environment over Windows 10, but what if you wanted to go the other way and go back in time?
You can, of course, turn back the clock with various mods, but the new effort changes the installation of Windows 11 to look like Windows 2000, complete with some working older applications and interface elements – such as Clippy. (Yes, the famous paperclip “assistant” who had the bad habit of interfering with your work when it wasn’t needed.)
However, there are some big caveats, as you might expect…
Windows Center (opens in a new tab) informed about this project, which was undertaken by a Redditor ExoGeniVI (opens in a new tab). The most important thing to keep in mind is that it requires the installation of StarDock WindowBlinds, a third-party application for customizing Windows in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways.
It uses the Windows 2000 theme (created by prozad94 a few years ago) to bring that operating system back in all its glory – or rather greyish greyness – and goes further by making a few other improvements under the hood of Windows to add some earlier versions of the software to the mix ( as well as some nostalgic icons – for example, Fallout).
On the application front, we’re talking about Internet Explorer 5.5 and Microsoft Office 2000, with the latter boasting a working Clippy, albeit with some minor visual glitches (the assistant’s transparency effect doesn’t render properly, instead turning into a pink square background).
Analysis: Windows 11 gray mode
The sheer effort put into getting all of this stuff to work is impressive, and as ExoGeniVI points out in a Reddit thread showing off the project, these apps actually work. For example, Internet Explorer 5.5 loads some sites just fine. However, it is not recommended for serious use (obviously, given its age – IE 5.5’s security holes are wide enough that a bus full of cybercriminals could undoubtedly drive through them).
Indeed, this project falls into the category of “showing it can be done” rather than any practical application. As one person asked, “But why?” To which ExoGeniVI replied, “Too much time on my hands.”
Good enough, and given the need to restore your computer twice in the process of doing this endeavor, ExoGeniVI also shows why you probably don’t want to commit to this level of refinement.
If you want Windows 11 to look like Windows 2000, the safest thing to do is use StarDock WindowBlinds to apply a classic prozad94 skin – no ancient apps needed – and leave it that way. Even if you are so inclined, we cannot imagine that you would want to live in such a bland, gray Windows environment for such a long time. Do you?
By Geek review (opens in a new tab)