List of Past Windows Desktops

Release Date: October 25, 2001
End of Support: April 8, 2014

Windows XP was one of Microsoft's most successful and recognizable operating systems. It introduced the colorful Luna visual style, improved stability based on the Windows NT architecture, Fast User Switching, System Restore, Remote Desktop, and broad hardware compatibility. XP became widely used in homes, schools, and businesses throughout the 2000s.

Although official support ended in 2014, Windows XP continues to be preserved by enthusiasts and is commonly run today in virtual machines such as Oracle VM VirtualBox for software preservation, legacy applications, and historical demonstrations.

Since 2025, Windows XP has been running in a VirtualBox virtual machine for archival and nostalgic purposes. Its classic system sounds—including the Startup and Shutdown sounds—are also used in Barney Errors projects as nostalgic audio effects, while the operating system itself remains isolated from modern production environments.

Key Features

• Luna visual theme

• Start Menu with two-column layout

• System Restore

• Fast User Switching

• Remote Desktop

• Improved Plug and Play support

• Broad software and hardware compatibility for its era

Legacy
Windows XP remains one of the most iconic versions of Windows. Its interface, sounds, and overall design continue to be remembered fondly by technology enthusiasts and are often recreated or referenced in retro computing projects.

Why Ivanmount+ Did Not Use Windows Vista

Windows Vista is widely regarded as one of the weakest Windows operating systems in Microsoft’s history. Due to its major performance, compatibility, and usability issues, Ivanmount+ chose not to use or support Windows Vista.

Key Problems with Windows Vista

• Poor performance: Vista required much higher system resources than previous versions, causing slow speeds on most computers at the time.

• Compatibility issues: Many applications, games, and hardware drivers did not work properly or at all.

• Unstable user experience: Frequent errors, crashes, and excessive system prompts frustrated users.

• Negative public reception: Vista received strong criticism from both users and professionals, leading many to downgrade or skip it entirely.

Because of these issues, Windows Vista is often considered one of the worst Windows operating systems ever released. Ivanmount+ instead focused on more stable, reliable, and widely supported Windows versions to ensure a better user experience.

Windows 7 was one of the longest-used desktop platforms in the history of Ivanmount+, serving as a primary environment from 2016 to 2025, including the years leading up to the transition to Windows 11.

During this era, Ivanmount+ focused on:

• Classic desktop layouts and workflows

• Early customization through wallpapers, themes, and icons

• Seasonal and experimental visual styles

• Building consistency across multiple desktops

Windows 7 played a crucial role in shaping the core usability, layout structure, and design philosophy of Ivanmount+. Many foundational ideas developed during this time influenced later setups on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

This version is now preserved as part of Ivanmount+ history, representing the origins and long-term evolution of the project prior to the modern Windows 11–based experience.

Windows 8 is broadly regarded as Microsoft’s most unsuccessful desktop operating system due to its radical and poorly received design changes. It removed the traditional Start Menu in favor of a touch-focused “Metro” interface, which caused widespread confusion and frustration for keyboard-and-mouse users. The operating system attempted to merge tablet and desktop experiences but failed to deliver a practical workflow for either.

Key issues included inconsistent navigation, reduced productivity, steep learning curves for everyday tasks, and limited adoption by businesses and consumers. Due to strong negative feedback, Microsoft quickly reversed many of these decisions in later releases, making Windows 8 a short-lived and cautionary chapter in Windows history.

Status: Discontinued
Successor: Windows 8.1 → Windows 10
Legacy: A major design misstep that reshaped Microsoft’s future OS strategy

Windows 8.1 was used by Ivanmount+ during the early and transitional years of the project, spanning 2013 (later continuing from 2016) through 2024, including use during the New York City trip.

This era was marked by experimentation and adaptation, featuring:

• Start screen–based and hybrid desktop workflows

• Early touch-friendly layouts and tile customization

• Custom wallpapers and visual setups used for travel and portability

• Lightweight configurations suited for laptops and on-the-go use

Windows 8.1 represented a transitional phase between classic desktop environments and more modern Windows experiences. The workflows and layout experiments from this period influenced later refinements seen in Windows 10 and ultimately Windows 11.

This version is now archived as part of Ivanmount+ history, capturing a unique period of mobility, experimentation, and evolution within the project.

Windows 10 was a major part of Ivanmount+ from 2019 to the early Windows 11 transition, serving as the foundation for early desktop designs, themes, and customization experiments.

During this period, Ivanmount+ focused on:

• Custom wallpapers and seasonal themes

• Classic Light and Dark Mode setups

• Early branding and visual identity development

• Desktop layouts optimized for productivity and everyday use

Windows 10 provided a stable and flexible environment that helped shape the direction of future Ivanmount+ releases. Many design ideas, theme concepts, and workflows later carried over and evolved into the Windows 11–based Ivanmount+ experience.

This version is now archived as part of Ivanmount+ history, representing the early growth and creative foundation of the project from 2019 to 2025.

The Windows 10 Dark Theme was a key part of the Ivanmount+ desktop experience, focusing on comfort, contrast, and a clean modern look. It was primarily used for nighttime work, extended sessions, and media-focused setups.

Key characteristics of the Windows 10 Dark Theme included:

• System-wide dark interface for reduced eye strain

• Dark taskbar and Start Menu with subtle transparency

• Accent colors used sparingly for clarity and focus

• Custom wallpapers designed to complement dark UI elements

• Improved visibility for apps and system controls

This theme helped establish Ivanmount+’s early approach to Dark Mode design and influenced later dark themes used in Windows 11–based setups. It remains an important part of the Windows 10 era in Ivanmount+ history.

The Windows 10 Summer Theme brought a bright, refreshing look to the Ivanmount+ desktop, emphasizing color, warmth, and a relaxed seasonal atmosphere. This theme was typically used during the warmer months and for casual, creative, and travel-inspired setups.

Key characteristics of the Windows 10 Summer Theme included:

• Bright and colorful wallpapers inspired by summer scenery

• Light UI elements paired with warm accent colors

• Clear, high-contrast visuals for daytime use

• Accent colors applied to the Start Menu and taskbar

• A clean, open desktop layout for everyday productivity

The Summer Theme highlighted Ivanmount+’s early seasonal theming approach on Windows 10 and helped define how color-based themes would later evolve in Windows 11.

The Windows 10 Christmas Theme added a festive and cozy atmosphere to the Ivanmount+ desktop, celebrating the holiday season with warm colors and seasonal visuals. This theme was typically used during December and special holiday periods.

Key characteristics of the Windows 10 Christmas Theme included:

• Festive wallpapers featuring winter and holiday elements

• Traditional Christmas colors such as red, green, and white

• Dark-leaning UI for a cozy, nighttime-friendly experience

• Accent colors applied to system highlights and selections

• A visually warm setup suited for seasonal use

The Christmas Theme represented Ivanmount+’s early holiday theming on Windows 10 and laid the groundwork for more refined seasonal themes in later Windows versions.

Windows 11 includes a built-in system-wide Dark Mode designed to provide a modern and comfortable viewing experience.

• Native Dark Theme
  Windows 11 allows users to switch between Light Mode and Dark Mode through the Personalization settings.

• Modern Design
  Dark Mode works with the Windows 11 visual style, including rounded corners, centered taskbar icons, and updated system menus.

• System-Wide Support
  Many built-in components, such as the Start menu, Taskbar, Settings app, File Explorer, and supported Microsoft apps, automatically adopt the dark appearance.

• Reduced Eye Strain
  The darker interface can be more comfortable in low-light environments and may help reduce visual fatigue during extended use.

• Customization Options
  Users can choose dark mode for the entire system or mix dark and light modes for Windows and applications separately.

Summary:
Windows 11 offers a fully integrated Dark Mode with broad system support, modern visuals, and flexible customization options, making it one of the most polished dark desktop experiences in Windows history.

Windows 11's modern design and customization features make it easy to create a bright and refreshing summer-themed desktop.

• Summer Wallpapers
  Users can choose wallpapers featuring beaches, sunny skies, oceans, flowers, parks, and other warm-weather scenery.

• Light Mode
  Windows 11's Light Mode complements summer themes with bright backgrounds and a clean, airy appearance.

• Dynamic Personalization
  Desktop backgrounds, lock screens, colors, and themes can be customized to match a summer atmosphere.

• Color Accents
  Bright colors such as sky blue, turquoise, yellow, and green can be applied as accent colors throughout the interface.

• Widgets and Lock Screen
  Weather information and scenic lock screen images can help create a seasonal summer experience.

• Microsoft Store Themes
  Additional summer-inspired themes are available for download, offering coordinated wallpapers and visual styles.

Summary:
Windows 11 provides extensive personalization options that allow users to create a vibrant, sunny, and relaxing summer desktop experience.

Windows 11 offers a modern and festive desktop experience during the Christmas season through its built-in personalization features.

• Christmas Wallpapers
  Users can decorate their desktops with wallpapers featuring Christmas trees, snow-covered landscapes, holiday lights, ornaments, gifts, and winter scenes.

• Festive Color Accents
  Windows 11 allows accent colors such as red, green, gold, silver, and icy blue to be applied throughout the interface for a seasonal look.

• Light and Dark Modes
  Both Light Mode and Dark Mode can complement Christmas themes, whether users prefer a bright holiday appearance or a cozy winter atmosphere.

• Custom Themes
  Holiday-themed desktop themes can combine matching wallpapers, colors, and lock screen images for a complete Christmas experience.

• Winter Lock Screens
  The lock screen can display festive and winter-themed images, helping bring the holiday spirit to the entire desktop experience.

• Holiday Widgets
  Weather widgets can showcase winter conditions, while personalized content can help users stay connected during the holiday season.

Summary:
Windows 11 provides flexible customization options that make it easy to create a festive Christmas desktop with seasonal wallpapers, holiday colors, and winter-themed personalization.