Windows 10 22H2 to Windows 7 Guide

Introduction:
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Hello, This is my guide to make Windows 10 look like Windows 7, using software and without installing an ISO. This is only tested to work on Windows 10 22H2, check that the software you install is compatible with your version of Windows before installing it.

⚠ Disclaimer:
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This should not break your PC, but make a backup of your files and system retore point first just in case.
System updates may revert some of the changes that you made, so you may need to repeat some steps to bring it back, disable automatic updates if you can.

Main software used:
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StartIsBack - Recreates the taskbar and start menu of Windows 7 accurately.
Link: https://startisback.com/OldNewExplorer https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/oldnewexplorer.html

SecureUxTheme - Software to install a theme.
Link: https://github.com/namazso/SecureUxTheme

DWMBlurGlass - Brings back Aero glass and transparency to windows.
Link: https://github.com/Maplespe/DWMBlurGlass

WindHawk - Install mods to tweak further.
Link: https://windhawk.net/

7TSP GUI 2019 Edition - For installing icon packs.
Link: https://www.deviantart.com/devillnside/art/7TSP-GUI-2019-Edition-804769422

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You can follow the steps below in any order.

1. StartIsBack - Taskbar and Start Menu replacement
Download here: https://startisback.com/OldNewExplorer https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/oldnewexplorer.html

What is it?
This is the main program for bringing back the classic taskbar and start menu of Windows 7. I found this to be the most accurate overall, Open shell can also be used for the start menu, but the StartIsBack start button will not light up when opening OpenShell's start Menu.
It is the only paid software in this list but it is only 5$. You can also try for free for 30 days.

What to do:
Enable Large icons and Large space for the taskbar in the settings for more accuracy.
Tweak the colors to your liking and go through the settings to tweak it to your liking.
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2. SecureUxTheme - Installing a Theme
Download here: https://github.com/namazso/SecureUxTheme

What is it?
This software enables you to use a theme, which will make it look like Windows 7, minus the transparency.

What to do:
Download this theme https://www.deviantart.com/vaporvance/art/Aero10-for-Windows-10-1903-22H2-909711949
Find the "Themes" folder in the downloaded file and put it's content in
C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes
Open ThemeTool.exe, click the installation button (uncheck Hook explorer, systemsettings, logonui), then select the theme AeroSeven in the list and click patch and apply.
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3. DWMBlurGlass - Bring back Aero glass and transparency
Download here: https://github.com/Maplespe/DWMBlurGlass

What is it?
This is the program that brings back Aero glass and transparency to your windows just like Windows 7.

What to do:
Go to the symbols tab and press install.
In the first page, check all boxes except the first one (Win11 Mica).
For an accurate Win7 look, i put blur radius on 3, then in advanced tab i put effect type on Acrylic, with a blur radius of 3, and opacity of 70% with the blur method CustomBlur. I recommend you play around with these settings and find the one that you like the best.
You might need to add it to the startup programs list manually for it to launch on startup.
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4. WindHawk - Mods to customize further and fix some issues with the theme
Download here: https://windhawk.net/

What is it?
This is a tool to install mods that fix certain things, the main one being Aerexplorer that will bring back the old Windows 7 look for the explorer. follow the instructions for each mod, some can be found in the explore tab but others you need to create a new mod and paste the code.

What to do:
Install the following mods:
1. Aerexplorer - https://winclassic.net/thread/1971/aerexplorer
2. Control Panel Reborn - https://winclassic.net/thread/1779/restoring-control-panel-applets-links
3. Aero Flyout Fix (Search in Explore tab)
4. Eradicate Immersive Menus (Search in Explore tab)
5. Windows 7 Alt+Tab Loader (Search in Explore tab)
6. Legacy File Copy (Search in Explore tab)
7. Aero Tray (Search in Explore tab)

Make sure to enable all the Windows 7 features in Aerexplorer and the other mods provided.

Now go to Windhawk settings, advanced settings, more advanced settings, and in the process exclusion list type:
<critical_system_processes>
And in the process inclusion list:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\winlogon.exe
And in Load mods in critical system processes
Select "If targeted explicity or implicitly (not recommended)"

If you don't do that, some mods may not work.
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5. 7TSP GUI 2019 Edition - Bring back the old Windows 7 icons system-wide
Download here: https://www.deviantart.com/devillnside/art/7TSP-GUI-2019-Edition-804769422

What is it?
This software patches almost all of the system icons to a icon pack of your choosing, it's essential for getting the old explorer icon and others.

What to do:
Download this icon pack (fixed): https://www.deviantart.com/digifeye/art/Win10-to-Aero-7-Vista-Longhorn-965218718
Select it and click install in the software.
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Extras - To complete the look further (optional)
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Winaero Tweaker: https://winaerotweaker.com/
for restoring the old sound flyout and other things, and enabling the startup sound.

Resource Hacker: https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/resource_hacker.html
A tool for changing the icons of programs (for exemple, bring back the old firefox icon).

Classic Windows 7 games: https://win7games.com/
Classic Calculator: https://winaero.com/get-calculator-from-windows-8-and-windows-7-in-windows-10/
Classic Sticky Notes: https://winaero.com/old-classic-sticky-notes-for-windows-10-version-1809/
Windows 7 GettingStarted App: https://winclassic.net/thread/2152/started-program

Classic Task Manager: https://winaero.com/get-classic-old-task-manager-in-windows-10/
(keep in mind it might be tricky to uninstall)

Bring back the Gadgets: https://8gadgetpack.net/

Customizergod: https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/customizergod.html
If you want to have the action center icon back, you can modify one of the taskbar item to the action center icon.
This is purely cosmetic though.

Windows 7 Sound pack: https://www.deviantart.com/joshoon/art/Windows-7-Sounds-pack-Newest-116510284
Windows 7 Wallpapers: https://archive.org/details/Windows-wallcollection/AU-wp3.jpg
Windows 7 Icon pack: https://www.deviantart.com/salmanarif/art/Windows-7-RTM-Build-7600-Icons-139835163

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Last edit: 18/04/2024
Fixed 7tsp icon pack link, added a windhawk mod.
Removed OldNewExplorer from tutorial as it's useless with Aerexplorer.
Fixed typos.