WindhawkDisables visual styles, effectively enabling the Windows Classic theme. This mod uses the method of closing access to the memory area where the theme is located. It is one of the multiple methods of enabling Windows Classic theme.
The mod injects only in the process Winlogon.exe, and exits once the handle of the memory area is closed. It does not hook any functions.
The mod affects only programs started after enabling the mod.
Windows Classic theme is not compatible with Windows 10 Task Manager. Before enabling the mode, install the classic task manager.
Enabling the mod will make UWP apps to hang. Install the Classic UWP Fix mod to mitigate this.
Some windows will manifest unwanted transparency. To fix this, install the Classic theme transparency fix mod.
On Windows 11 22H2 and later it is recommended to install the mod "Explorerframe fixes for Win11 22H2+" and enable all options in its settings.
Windows Classic theme is not compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10 taskbars out of the box. It is recommended to use Explorer Patcher utility, which includes the necessary fixes. A complete guide on setting up Windows Classic theme is also available.
Alternatively, if you are on Windows 10 or enabled the Windows 10 taskbar on Windows 11 via registry, you can fix the taskbar compatibility using the Classic Theme Explorer Lite mod.
You also would need to get rid of the immersive context menus in Explorer, which appear empty in Classic theme. You can do it by installing the Eradicate Immersive Menus mod.
If you want the 3D borders in menus, import the following reg file:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"UserPreferencesMask"=hex:9E,1E,05,80,12,01,00,00
Delete or rename this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\DefaultColors\Standard to prevent color scheme change after pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del or going to the logon screen and back.
To customize the color scheme, you can use the Desktp Architect utility, but make sure to install and run it in Windows 2000 or XP compatibility mode (in Windows XP mode it will require UAC authorization).
You may consider installing other mods from Windhawk repository to make the look of the system more classic, particularly, the Enable SysListView32 mod and Classic Taskbar 3D buttons Lite.
