Windows+XP+Home+configure+for+Classic+look

Windows XP Home configure for Classic look

If you have just upgraded to Windows XP Home Edition, or if you have just bought a new PC/Laptop that has Windows XP Home Edition pre loaded, you will have noticed that the ʹdefaultʹ Windows XP interface is very different to the interface of previous Windows operating systems, i.e. Windows 95/98/ME/.

Whilst some users like the new ‘Windows XP Home Edition’ interface, most proficient users used to using Windows 95/98/ME, will prefer the classical look.

If this is your case, this tweak will take you through configuring Windows XP with the ʹclassicʹ interface, as opposed to the new default ‘Windows XP Home Edition’ interface.

The Windows XP Home Edition interface Configuring the Start menu

Right‐click on the Taskbar, and select Properties.

Place your cursor on the Start Menu tab.

Select Classic Start Menu. Click on the Customise button.

Place a tick against the Show Small Icons in Start Menu option.

Take the tick OFF the Use Personalised Menus option. Click OK.

At the ʺTaskbar and Start menu Propertiesʺ dialogue box, click on OK.

Click Start (to bring up the Start menu).

Right‐click anywhere on the Start menu, and select Sort by Name.


 * Configuring the Desktop**

Many of you will like Windows XP’s green Start button and rounded menus.

If you are such a person, then ignore this section; otherwise follow the instructions below to make the appearance of your desktop look exactly like Windows 95/98/ME.

Right‐click on the Desktop, and select Properties.

Place your cursor on the Appearance tab.

In the “Windows and buttons” drop‐down box,

Select Windows Classic Style, as shown below. Click OK.


 * Configuring Explore**r

Click Start > Programs > Accessories.

Right‐click on Windows Explorer and select Properties.

Place your cursor on the Shortcut tab.

In the Run box, select Maximised.

In the Target box, after ʺ...explorer.exeʺ, as shown below, add :‐ /n, /e, C:\.

When you add /n, /e, c:\ to the end of the target line, when you open Explorer, it opens with the ‘C: drive’ expanded

(All of the folders underneath the C: drive on view), as with Windows 95. Click OK.

If you want to add the Windows Explorer icon to your Start menu, or any other icon for that matter, click on the icon in question, and ‘drag and drop’ it onto the Start button.

At the same time, if you want to rename an icon, i.e. you may want to rename

ʺWindows Explorerʺ to ʺExplorerʺ, or ʺCommand Promptʺ to ʺMS‐DOS Promptʺ etc., etc., Right‐click on the icon in question, and select Rename.

Enter the new name in the New Name box, and click on OK.

Open Windows Explorer.

Click Tools > Folder Options.

Place your cursor on the General tab, and configure it as follows : Place your cursor on the View tab.

The options on this screen are a matter of personal preference.

However, it is advisable

At Files and Folders,

Put a tick against Display the full path in the title bar.

At Hidden files and folders, take the tick OFF against Hide extensions for knows file types.

Click OK.

At the main ʺExplorerʺ screen, click on View \ Details.

Click Tools > Folder Options,

Place your cursor on the View tab.

Click Apply to All Folders, and when you are prompted with the ʺFolder Viewsʺ dialogue box, click on Yes.

Click OK.

“Explorer” should now look as follows :‐ That’s it.

Not difficult at all was it ?