From Aqua Look to Windows XP: This App Takes Your Mac on a Time Travel

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Do you miss the old Aqua look of macOS X? Or do you want your Mac to look like BeOS, OS/2, or Windows XP? Then you should check out this free app.

With Aqua, Apple radically changed the user interface of its desktop operating system in the early 2000s. Around the same time, Microsoft also gave its operating system a new, more colorful look. Although this was already a quarter of a century ago, screenshots of both systems evoke nostalgic feelings in many who used them.

But going back to macOS X 10.2 (Jaguar) or Windows XP just to relive the old look? Not really, as these operating systems would hardly run on current hardware outside of an emulator. And even if they did, there wouldn’t be much to do with them.

It may look like IBM's OS/2, but it's the current macOS version. (Screenshot: Retromac / t3n)

The free app Retromac now offers you the opportunity to make your current macOS version shine in the Aqua look. Not only that, but you can also bring the appearance of Windows XP, Windows 3.1, BeOS, or even IBM's OS/2 Warp 4 to your Mac.

Retromac: What This Free Tool for Nostalgia Lovers Can Do

Once installed, you can choose which operating system look you want to bring to the present in Retromac. Your dock will be replaced according to the selected OS, but it remains functional.

You can use the Deskbar from BeOS on your Mac, the classic taskbar from Windows 98, the Control Strip from Mac OS 9, or even the Warpcenter from OS/2. Of course, a range of wallpapers that were included back then are also available for each operating system.

Snow Leopard is back: Retromac with activated shader. (Screenshot: Retromac / t3n)

Additionally, Retromac offers so-called shaders. These can emulate the appearance of various old CRT monitors. However, there is debate about how realistic such reproductions are compared to real CRT monitors.

For a one-time payment of 8.88 euros, you can also receive additional shaders and operating system themes. Moreover, this gives you the ability to create your own themes for Retromac.

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