Customize Your Windows 11 Taskbar with RetroBar

Windows 11 offers a sleek, modern look, but for those of us who miss the classic style of older Windows versions, it can feel limiting. Over the past month, I’ve been using a custom version of Windows 11, UnattendedWintall, which removes the bloatware for a cleaner experience. However, I’ve found the new taskbar, start menu, and right-click options to be frustrating. Fortunately, there are tools available, like RetroBar, to bring back the classic look. In this post, I’ll show you how to install and configure RetroBar to bring back the iconic taskbars from previous versions of Windows.

Key Takeaways

• RetroBar is a free tool that allows you to replace your Windows 11 taskbar with classic taskbars from Windows 95, XP, and more.
• RetroBar does not replace the start menu but works perfectly with third-party tools like Open Shell.
• You can customize the taskbar’s position, theme, and quick launch options to your liking.

Requirements

Before we dive into the steps, make sure you have the following:

• Windows 11 (standard or custom version)
• RetroBar application (64-bit version for most users)
• A reliable internet connection to download RetroBar and any additional themes or tools
• Optional: Open Shell if you want to change the start menu as well

How to Replace the Taskbar in Windows 11 Using RetroBar

Step 1: Download RetroBar

1. Go to the official RetroBar GitHub page and navigate to the releases tab.
2. Scroll down and download the version that matches your system (64-bit, 32-bit, or ARM64).

Step 2: Extract RetroBar

1. Once the file is downloaded, open your file explorer and navigate to the C: drive.
2. Right-click the downloaded zip file, choose Extract, and place the extracted folder on your C: drive.

Step 3: Run RetroBar

1. Open the extracted folder and double-click the RetroBar.exe file to launch the application.
2. If prompted, install .NET Desktop Runtime, as it’s required to run RetroBar.
3. Once installed, run RetroBar again, and you’ll see your taskbar change to a classic Windows style.

Step 4: Customize RetroBar Settings

1. Right-click any empty space on the taskbar and select Properties.
2. Here, you can change the taskbar theme, position, and other settings.
3. For example, if you want the classic Windows XP Blue taskbar, you can select it under the Theme options.

Step 5: Pin Apps to the Taskbar in RetroBar

RetroBar includes a quick launch feature, allowing you to pin apps to your taskbar. This feature works differently from the standard pinning process in Windows 11, so follow the steps below to set up quick access to your favorite apps.

1. Create a Quick Launch Folder

• First, navigate to the folder where you installed or extracted RetroBar (usually on your C: drive).
• Right-click inside the RetroBar folder, select New > Folder, and name it “Quick Launch” (or any name you prefer). This folder will hold the shortcuts for the apps you want to pin.

2. Find the Apps You Want to Pin

• Open another File Explorer window and locate the apps you want to pin to the taskbar.
• You can find most applications by navigating to C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86).
• Alternatively, you can search for the app in the Start Menu by typing its name.

3. Create Shortcuts for the Apps

• Once you’ve found the application you want to pin, right-click the executable file (usually ending in .exe) and select Create Shortcut.
• This will create a shortcut to the application in the same folder.

4. Move the Shortcuts to the Quick Launch Folder

• After creating the shortcut, right-click on the shortcut and select Cut or Copy.
• Navigate back to the Quick Launch folder you created earlier in the RetroBar directory and paste the shortcut there.

Pro Tip: You can easily create a shortcut by dragging an app directly from the “All apps” section in the Windows 10 or 11 Start menu into the Quick Launch folder.

5. Configure RetroBar to Use the Quick Launch Folder

• Now, open RetroBar and right-click on the taskbar.
• Select Properties, then under the Quick Launch section, click Select Folder.
• Navigate to the Quick Launch folder you just created, select it, and click OK.

6. Pin Apps to the Taskbar

• After selecting the folder, you’ll see the icons of your pinned apps appear on the taskbar next to the Start button.
• Click any icon to launch the app directly from the taskbar.

7. Add More Apps (Optional)

You can add more apps to your Quick Launch folder at any time by repeating the process above. Simply create shortcuts and place them in the Quick Launch folder, and RetroBar will automatically update the taskbar with the new icons.

Step 6: Add More Themes to RetroBar

RetroBar comes with a selection of classic themes, but you can easily expand the collection by adding custom themes. Here’s how to download and apply additional themes, like the popular Dark Mode RetroBar themes created by Tek Syndicate.

1. Download the Custom Themes

• Head over to the Tek Syndicate YouTube channel and watch the video where he introduces the custom dark mode themes.
• In the video description, you’ll find a link to download the themes directly or from DeviantArt.
• Download the zip file containing the custom themes to your computer.

2. Extract the Downloaded Themes

• Once you’ve downloaded the zip file, open it.
• Inside, you’ll find two folders: Resources and Themes.
• Extract both of these folders to the same directory where you have RetroBar installed (usually the C: drive).

3. Restart Your Computer

• After extracting the files, restart your computer to apply the new themes.
• After the restart, you might have to relaunch the RetroBar.exe file (in case it didn’t start automatically.)

4. Apply the New Themes

• Right-click on the taskbar and select Properties.
• Navigate to the Themes section, and you should now see the new Dark Mode RetroBar themes.
• Select the theme you want to apply, such as the Dark Mode Windows XP taskbar.

5. Explore Additional Theme Variants

• Tek Syndicate has also created darker versions with a shade of purple, known as the Midnight Version.
• Explore these themes by selecting them in the Themes section.

Step 7: Replace the Start Menu (Optional)

RetroBar doesn’t replace the start menu, but you can use Open Shell, a continuation of the Classic Shell project, to bring back the start menu from Windows 7 or even earlier versions.

1. Download and Install Open Shell

• Download Open Shell from GitHub.
• Unlike RetroBar, Open Shell is installed like any standard software on your system.
• Run the “OpenShellSetup.exe” file and follow the prompts to install it on your system.

2. Configure Open Shell

• After installation, click on the start menu to open the Open Shell settings.
• The default style is Windows 7, but you can switch to classic styles if you prefer.
• You can also change the skin to match the theme of your RetroBar, like switching to the Windows Aero skin for a cohesive look.

3. Customize Your Start Menu

Open Shell allows you to pin your favorite programs to the start menu, access Control Panel items, and more. It even reverts the Control Panel links to the older style menus, bypassing the new Windows 11 settings layout.

For a detailed look at Open Shell, check out my guide on How to Get the Windows 7 Start Menu in Windows 11.

Conclusion

RetroBar is an excellent tool for anyone who misses the functionality and style of older Windows versions. While it doesn’t replace the start menu, pairing it with Open Shell gives you the best of both worlds. If you’re tired of the Windows 11 taskbar, give RetroBar a try and enjoy the nostalgia of past Windows versions!

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is RetroBar?

RetroBar is a lightweight app that brings back classic Windows taskbars on modern versions like Windows 11.

Can RetroBar change the start menu?

No, RetroBar only replaces the taskbar. To replace the start menu, use Open Shell.

Is RetroBar safe to use?

Yes, RetroBar is open-source and safe for use. It does not install anything on your system, making it easy to remove.

Does RetroBar affect system performance?

No, RetroBar is a small application that runs efficiently in the background.

How do I uninstall RetroBar?

To uninstall RetroBar, simply delete the RetroBar folder from your C: drive. No reboot is necessary.