Do you miss the nostalgic Windows 98 aesthetic? With a few tweaks, you can transform your Windows 11 desktop into a retro Windows 98 experience! This guide covers icon packs, taskbar customization, and a classic Start Menu to bring back the beloved late-90s look.
What You’ll Need
Before starting, download these tools:
✅ Windows 98 Icon Pack (PNG to ICO conversion via CloudConvert)
✅ Microsoft .NET Desktop Runtime (x64) (Required for Open-Shell)
✅ Open-Shell (Classic Start Menu)
✅ RetroBar (Windows 98-style Taskbar)
Step 1: Basic Windows 11 Customization
1. Change the Desktop Background
- Right-click on the desktop → Personalize.
- Under Background, select Solid Color.
- Choose Teal (Mint Dark)—the classic Windows 98 color.
2. Adjust System Colors
- Go to Colors in Personalization.
- Set Windows Mode to Dark.
- Under Windows Color Palette, select Teal (Mint Dark).
3. Enable Classic Desktop Icons
- Go to Themes → Desktop Icon Settings.
- Enable This PC (My Computer) and Recycle Bin (optional: enable Network, Control Panel).
4. Move the Taskbar to the Left
- Go to Taskbar Settings.
- Under Taskbar Alignment, select Left.
Step 2: Install Windows 98 Icons
1. Download & Convert Icons
- Get the Windows 98 Icon Pack.
- Some icons are in PNG format—convert them to ICO using CloudConvert (set resolution to 48×48).
2. Apply the Icons
- Go to Personalize → Themes → Desktop Icon Settings.
- Select an icon (e.g., This PC) → Change Icon → Browse to your ICO files.
- Repeat for Recycle Bin (Full/Empty) and other icons.
Step 3: Install Open-Shell for a Classic Start Menu
1. Install Open-Shell
- Download Open-Shell.
- Run the installer → Deselect Classic Explorer (only enable Open-Shell Menu).
2. Apply the Windows 98 Skin
- Download the Win98Plus! Retro Skin.
- Extract and place the
.skinfile in:
C:\Program Files\Open-Shell\Skins3. Configure Open-Shell
- Open Open-Shell Menu Settings.
- Under Start Menu Style, select Classic Style.
- Go to Skin → Choose Win98Plus! Retro.
- Apply these settings:
- Skin Variation: Windows Default
- Caption: Windows 98
- Font Smoothing: ClearType
- Override Glass Color:
#C0C0C0(classic gray) - Disable animations (Windows 98 had none)
- Customize Start Menu Icons
- Right-click items → Edit Item → Replace icons with Windows 98 versions.
Step 4: Install RetroBar for a Classic Taskbar
1. Install RetroBar
- Download RetroBar.
- Extract and run RetroBar.exe.
2. Configure RetroBar
- Right-click the taskbar → Properties.
- Under Taskbar Tab:
- Theme: Windows 95-98
- Enable: “Show window previews,” “Show Desktop button”
- Disable: “Allow font smoothing,” “Lock taskbar”
- Under Advanced Tab:
- Enable “Start at login” and “Show on multiple displays.”
Final Result: A True Windows 98 Experience
✅ Classic Teal Desktop
✅ Windows 98 Icons
✅ Retro Start Menu
✅ Old-School Taskbar
Troubleshooting & Tips
🔹 Icons not changing? Ensure they’re in ICO format (48×48).
🔹 Start Menu misaligned? Adjust horizontal/vertical offsets in Open-Shell.
🔹 RetroBar not starting? Enable “Start at login” in settings.
Conclusion
With Open-Shell, RetroBar, and Windows 98 icons, you can relive the golden era of computing on Windows 11. This setup is perfect for nostalgia lovers or anyone who prefers the simplicity of classic Windows.
Tags:
Windows 11 customization, Windows 98 theme, Open-Shell, RetroBar, classic Windows, retro computing
Hashtags:
#Windows98 #Windows11 #RetroComputing #OpenShell #ClassicWindows
Disclaimer: Customizing system files may cause instability. Backup your data before making changes. Some features require Windows activation.
Try it out and share your retro desktop in the comments! 🖥️🎮
