Windows 11 Retrograde

[demaxxander04]

What is Windows 11 Retrograde?
Windows 11 Retrograde is a Windows modification based on Windows 11 IoT LTSC 2024, which tries to remind Windows XP, if it was made in current times, albeit without bloatware like Copilot, Edge or others.
Features:
• nostalgic vibe of Windows XP
• various vintage games included (featuring classics, such as Solitaire, Pinball, Purble Place and others!)
• no bloatware featured in regular Windows 11 editions
• a slightly better performance than stock Windows 11
• no TPM or Secure Boot requirements
• limited 16-bit support, provided by OTVDM

Version 5.11_4 ISO Download
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BFFCY6NEsqELpxP5QvR0mMC_knWcaJR4/view?usp=sharing

If you encounter an issue with the 0xC0000005 installation error, you have to restart it

Raytek forum post:
https://forum.raytek.cafe/viewtopic.php?t=76


Can I run this on real machine?
Yes you can, but I must recommend to install on VM first and then if you are comfy enough to use it as daily drive OS, you can use it on your host

What are system requirements for this mod?
This modification of the operating system has the same requirements as Windows 11 IoT LTSC 2024, which can be checked at Microsoft’s website.
The OS doesn’t require TPM 2.0 nor Secure Boot to work, due to its base.

Is Windows pre-activated?
For legal reasons, Windows is not activated. You need to activate Windows yourself.

How do get store on this mod?
Use this command on powershell as administrator:

Code: Select all

wsreset -i

If it doesn't work, you can try this: https://github.com/minihub/LTSC-Add-MicrosoftStore

Do games work on this mod?
Yes! but for UWP games (Forza Horizon series for example) require Xbox dependencies to run:

AppInstaller, Xbox Identity Provider, Xbox GameBar, Xbox app

For more information about this modification: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13qO60P6LSIITO2f4inOlHzPaWXYHZbEj/view?usp=sharing

Other Screenshots:
- Setup (Rectify11 2.5 modified):

- Multicolor Variant:

- Light Theme:

- Paranoid Theme:

- Luna Theme (Beta):

- Windows 11 (Bloom):

- Shutdown prompt:

[The-10-Pen]

albeit without bloatware like Copilot, Edge or others.

I haven't allowed it internet access, but it looks like Edge is included and attempts to update at every boot.

2026-04-10_10-00-47.jpg (155.48 KiB) Viewed 231 times

2026-04-10_10-16-49.jpg (127.22 KiB) Viewed 231 times

[enmanuel]

Interesting mod, i quite like the themes.

One important thing i must ask: Does it have support for Windows Update and Windows Defender? It's basically what i look for in a custom Windows 11 ISO.

[The-10-Pen]

Yes it does.

But... GOOD LUCK WITH THAT !!! Those are the first things I want ***REMOVED*** in a custom 11 (or even 10) !!! !!! !!!

[demaxxander04]

albeit without bloatware like Copilot, Edge or others.

I haven't allowed it internet access, but it looks like Edge is included and attempts to update at every boot.


2026-04-10_10-00-47.jpg

2026-04-10_10-16-49.jpg

I don't think it will ever install or run Edge even if the update service still exists and I think that's normal, I used this script to remove it: https://gist.github.com/ave9858/c3451d9f452389ac7607c99d45edecc6

I used it for so long and still didn't got Edge!

[demaxxander04]

Interesting mod, i quite like the themes.

One important thing i must ask: Does it have support for Windows Update and Windows Defender? It's basically what i look for in a custom Windows 11 ISO.

Yes it does have support

[demaxxander04]

Yes it does.

But... GOOD LUCK WITH THAT !!! Those are the first things I want ***REMOVED*** in a custom 11 (or even 10) !!! !!! !!!

If you want Windows Update disabled, you can actually use this script (C:\Windows\windows-update-disabler-main) pre-included in this mod, even says in the readme documents!
For Defender, you can download Defender Control to disable it but you have to turn off Real Time Protection before using it!

I recommend doing system restore backup before doing anything!

[The-10-Pen]

I don't think it will ever install or run Edge even if the update service still exists and I think that's normal, I used this script to remove it: https://gist.github.com/ave9858/c3451d9f452389ac7607c99d45edecc6

I used it for so long and still didn't got Edge!

I for one don't like the word "think", but I can look past that (for now).

Also, I would prefer an ENTIRE LIST of scripts that were used, no matter how big or small that ENTIRE LIST is.

Also, what the H#LL is "everything.exe", "flow.launcher", etc. Seems this build has a TON of stuff ADDED.
TRUST is gained by providing that LIST upfront also!
I can *NOT* "trust" a build like this, no way, no how! But a LIST of what was ADDED would go a *VERY LONG WAY* towards 'gaining that trust'.

ie, I already have scripts that remove EDGE. And I don't have any Edge Updater running in the background! Nor that gigantic folder wasting space.
And I'm one of those old-schooler's still using QUICKEN for my checking account!
IT REQUIRES WEBVIEW RUNTIME, so no, that Edge Updater is not needed.


ps - sure, a great project!
BUT... folks that share things like this have to have the "skin" to be able to listen to both "positive" *AND* "negative" feedback...
I'm just saying that from what I have seen, I CAN NOT "TRUST" THIS BUILD.
And that is BEFORE allowing it internet access and logging any "activity" that this build does that a "normal" 11 does not do!
Or, preferrably, logging any "activity" that this build does NOT do that a "normal" 11 DOES do!

[demaxxander04]

I don't think it will ever install or run Edge even if the update service still exists and I think that's normal, I used this script to remove it: https://gist.github.com/ave9858/c3451d9f452389ac7607c99d45edecc6

I used it for so long and still didn't got Edge!

I for one don't like the word "think", but I can look past that (for now).

Also, I would prefer an ENTIRE LIST of scripts that were used, no matter how big or small that ENTIRE LIST is.

Also, what the H#LL is "everything.exe", "flow.launcher", etc. Seems this build has a TON of stuff ADDED.
TRUST is gained by providing that LIST upfront also!
I can *NOT* "trust" a build like this, no way, no how! But a LIST of what was ADDED would go a *VERY LONG WAY* towards 'gaining that trust'.

ie, I already have scripts that remove EDGE. And I don't have any Edge Updater running in the background! Nor that gigantic folder wasting space.
And I'm one of those old-schooler's still using QUICKEN for my checking account!
IT REQUIRES WEBVIEW RUNTIME, so no, that Edge Updater is not needed.


ps - sure, a great project!
BUT... folks that share things like this have to have the "skin" to be able to listen to both "positive" *AND* "negative" feedback...
I'm just saying that from what I have seen, I CAN NOT "TRUST" THIS BUILD.
And that is BEFORE allowing it internet access and logging any "activity" that this build does that a "normal" 11 does not do!
Or, preferrably, logging any "activity" that this build does NOT do that a "normal" 11 DOES do!

everything.exe is for the Everything App and I also included Flow Launcher which it comes with Everything index plugin, if you open Search in start menu, it will redirect to Flow Launcher search!

Everything index does better job at searching files compared to Windows, this is why I included both of these and there's nothing suspicious about them!

as for the scripts:

Edge: https://gist.github.com/ave9858/c3451d9f452389ac7607c99d45edecc6
WIndows Update: https://github.com/tsgrgo/windows-update-disabler

that's what I used for now.. I don't remember what else I used, if I do, I will let you know!

and like I told you, it does not install or re-enable Edge itself! If it was doing, then I might work on that, no problem!

[demaxxander04]

I don't think it will ever install or run Edge even if the update service still exists and I think that's normal, I used this script to remove it: https://gist.github.com/ave9858/c3451d9f452389ac7607c99d45edecc6

I used it for so long and still didn't got Edge!

I for one don't like the word "think", but I can look past that (for now).

Also, I would prefer an ENTIRE LIST of scripts that were used, no matter how big or small that ENTIRE LIST is.

Also, what the H#LL is "everything.exe", "flow.launcher", etc. Seems this build has a TON of stuff ADDED.
TRUST is gained by providing that LIST upfront also!
I can *NOT* "trust" a build like this, no way, no how! But a LIST of what was ADDED would go a *VERY LONG WAY* towards 'gaining that trust'.

ie, I already have scripts that remove EDGE. And I don't have any Edge Updater running in the background! Nor that gigantic folder wasting space.
And I'm one of those old-schooler's still using QUICKEN for my checking account!
IT REQUIRES WEBVIEW RUNTIME, so no, that Edge Updater is not needed.


ps - sure, a great project!
BUT... folks that share things like this have to have the "skin" to be able to listen to both "positive" *AND* "negative" feedback...
I'm just saying that from what I have seen, I CAN NOT "TRUST" THIS BUILD.
And that is BEFORE allowing it internet access and logging any "activity" that this build does that a "normal" 11 does not do!
Or, preferrably, logging any "activity" that this build does NOT do that a "normal" 11 DOES do!

"The Microsoft Edge Update service might remain, this is normal as it is required for updating WebView2."

[The-10-Pen]

Everything index does better job at searching files compared to Windows, this is why I included both of these and there's nothing suspicious about them!

"To each their own", as the saying goes.

We have OPPOSITE VIEWS on "searching files".
I disable/remove Windows' own "indexers" and I have NO USE in REPLACING it with something else.

Again, "to each their own".