Alternatives to RetroBar
A replacement Windows taskbar with classic Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP or Vista styles. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
RetroBar
A replacement Windows taskbar with classic Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP or Vista styles.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as RetroBar.
Cairo Desktop
Open-source desktop environment for Windows that replaces the standard taskbar and shell.
Cairo Desktop replaces the whole Windows shell and taskbar with its own customizable desktop rather than recreating classic Windows 95 to Vista taskbar styles.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
WindowBlinds
Skinning software that reskins Windows window frames and the taskbar.
OldNewExplorer
Windows shell tweak that restores classic File Explorer behavior.
YASB
A configurable status bar for Windows, written in Python, with widgets and theming.
Windhawk
Apply small modifications to Windows and applications through a mod manager.
UltraUXThemePatcher
Patches Windows system files to allow unsigned third-party visual styles.
Rectify11
Fixes visual inconsistencies in the Windows 11 interface for a more uniform look.
