The year 2012 marked a significant turning point for Windows users, as many began to seek alternatives to the operating system. This shift was largely catalyzed by the release of Windows 8, a version that introduced a controversial desktop interface. The design, characterized by large, square icons tailored for touchscreen devices, abandoned the traditional desktop setup that had long been favored by users accustomed to mouse and keyboard navigation. This bold move was predicated on the assumption that a universal approach to device interaction would soon dominate, a prediction that has yet to materialize.
Simultaneously, while Microsoft’s UI designers grappled with the backlash, the company’s business strategists unveiled a new Apple-inspired Microsoft Store. This initiative, along with a more stringent app-locking mechanism, prompted Valve’s Gabe Newell to declare Windows 8 a “catastrophe for everyone in the PC space,” subsequently redirecting his focus towards Linux development.
Reviving Nostalgia with Win8DE
In an intriguing twist, the project Win8DE has emerged on GitHub, appealing to those who once enjoyed the fluid animations of Windows 8 but have since transitioned to Linux. The project’s introduction captures a sense of nostalgia: “If you are one of those who enjoyed Windows 8 and miss its fluid animations but have since moved to Linux,” it begins, before lamenting the challenges faced by users who can no longer access their beloved apps on the outdated OS.
For those yearning for a semblance of the Windows 8 experience, Win8DE offers a visually reminiscent interface. The design features vibrant squares and rectangles, a horizontally scrolling desktop for easy navigation between “pages” of apps, and a mobile-style app drawer that provides a compact overview of installed applications. The aesthetic choices evoke a sense of familiarity, transporting users back to the mid-2010s.
While Win8DE may not be as comprehensive or polished as established Linux desktop environments like KDE Plasma, Gnome, or Cinnamon—each of which has benefitted from years of meticulous development—it brings a unique charm that resonates with a niche audience. Even the developer behind Win8DE, known as er-bharat, acknowledges certain limitations, humorously noting the absence of the “charms menu,” which they deemed unnecessary.
As the project continues to evolve, adventurous Linux users can find installation instructions on its GitHub page, inviting them to explore this whimsical homage to a bygone era of computing.
