This is a tutorial I wrote for my future self in case I have to format my PC or buy a new one. I really like the Windows 7 Aero aesthetic and I'm not much into the minimalism of Windows 10 and 11, so I decided to transform my Windows 10 into a Windows 7-like computer. This tutorial is for Windows 10. Make sure to create a restore point in case you are going to do any of these.

Softwares used in this tutorial

Before we start

We are going to need to take administrator ownership of some system folders and files. Read this tutorial and download the register file to make this process easier: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3841-add-take-ownership-context-menu-windows-10-a.html

We are also going to install some programs that should reside in a folder with reading and writing permissions. I've made a folder called W7 inside my C:/.

Windows 7 Icons

Extract 7TSP and rename the .ee file to .exe.
Extract 7TSP Icons folder and go to Windows 7 7tsp-icon/7tsp icon folder and remove the .remove extension from the file.
Open 7TSP and install the icons from the renamed zip file. Reboot the computer after it is done.

Windows 7 Sounds

Copy and paste the Windows 7 sound files into C:\Windows\Media.
Go to the Personalization settings, under the Theme tab, open Sounds, do the following changes

Asterisk = Windows Ding
Calendar reminder = Windows notify
Critical battery alarm = Windows Ringout
Critical stop = Windows Critical Stop
Default beep = Windows Ding
Desktop mail notification = notify
Device connect = Windows Hardware Insert
Device Disconnect = Windows Hardware Remove
Device Failed to Connect = Windows Hardware Fail
Exclamation = Windows Exclamation
Instant Message Notification = ding
Low battery alarm = Windows Ringout
New mail notification = notify
New text message notification = notify
INFP Completion = tada
Notification = Windows Notify
System notification = Windows Notify
Windows User Account Control = Windows User Account Control
New fax notification = [No sound]

Windows 7 Theme

Copy the theme to C:\Windows\Resources.
Install OldNewExplorer in C:/W7
Install ThemePatcher and reboot.
Install DWMBlurGlass in C:/W7 and click Install.
Download the symbols in the Symbol tab.
Create a new task named Unglass in the Task Scheduler, configuration for Windows 7.
Triggers in Log In, Action start a program (DWMBlurGlass), Condition uncheck AC power only, Settings run task as soon as possible, if job fails restart, uncheck stop the task if is no longer than.
Install StartIsBack++
Visual Style: Aero7 (2nd and 1st on the list I guess), Icon we will chose next step
Click the plus button in the bottom right of the icons box, go to the Windows 7 theme folder and then StartIsBack folder, then select the ORBs folder, then select both .png files. Select the second last icon, should be named Windows 7 Start ORB alt.png
Set transparency and color settings as you wish.
Go to your Windows 10 profile settings and change your profile icon. User icons are inside the Windows 7 theme folder.
Uninstall the OldNewExplorer and then change the settings to: Use classic drive groupings, use libraries, use command bar instead of Ribbon, uncheck last square inside it, uncheck show details, uncheck show status bar, install again. Reboot.

Windows 7 Cursors

Go to Windows 7 theme folder and cursor folder.
Right click Aero.inf and Install.
Make it the default cursor theme into the Personalization > Theme settings.

Windows Photo Viewer

Install it on the Windows 7 theme folder
Pick an image, Open with..., More programs, Windows Photo Viewer, always open with that checkmark.

Windows Media Player 11

Move to C:/ and install it (Make restore point before)

MSN

Install the first exe and then the other one

Windows 7 Alt + Tab

Install Windhawk
Install the alt tab mob
Follow the pre-requisites

Toriality's Blog

Windows 10 to 7 tutorial