14 DAY TRIAL // Windows XP remains surprisingly popular these days even though it hasn’t received a single update in the last three years or so, with many users still refusing to upgrade to a newer version of the operating system in spite of the obvious security risks.
On the other hand, Windows 10 is the preferred platform for approximately 25 percent of the world’s desktop PCs, according to third-party figures, though there’s no doubt that some users would have rather stayed with an older Windows version because of the familiarity provided by the classic desktop.
Fortunately, there are ways to get a familiar desktop look on Windows 10 as well, with some people turning to Windows XP` to make the desktop feel like home.
No third-party theme this time
This is what reddit user TurrboSwagg tried and managed to do with Windows 10, bringing back the Windows XP look without third-party themes.
As he explains, this custom desktop comes down to just a few simple tweaks, and it all starts with the Windows XP Bliss wallpaper that you can easily find online. Once you set the new wallpaper, you have to change the color and disable transparency in Windows 10, which you can do from the Settings app.
Changing colors and disabling transparency can be done from the Settings app > Personalization > Colors, with options to pick a custom color and a dedicated setting to disable transparency effects.
The next step is to add a custom Start button, which you can do with Classic Shell. Even though there are several third-party Start buttons out there which look like the original Windows XP version, this desktop version uses a custom version that you can find here (keep in mind that this is a temporary link and it could be removed at any moment).
In the meantime, those who love the Windows XP so much that they refuse to upgrade should keep in mind that there are more and more exploits for vulnerabilities in their operating system, so considering a switch to a supported Windows version is the first thing they should do.