If you ever wanted to carry a pocket-sized time machine that looks, sounds, and behaves like Windows XP, a new Android launcher is the closest thing the modern smartphone era has produced — and it’s both delightfully faithful and uncomfortably risky. Released by developer Gorjan Jovanovski, the launcher recreates the visual and audio identity of Windows XP (and older Windows releases) on Android devices, complete with a functioning Start menu, era-correct icons and wallpapers, retro apps such as a reworked Internet Explorer 6 and Winamp, and even the beloved 3D Pipes screensaver. The project is a technical nostalgia triumph: it’s polished, surprisingly usable on modern phones (including foldables), and packed with small touches that show obsessive attention to detail. At the same time, the distribution model — a sideloaded APK updated from the developer’s server and not published on the Play Store — raises important security, privacy, and supply-chain questions that every user should weigh before installing.
The current generation of Android hardware far outstrips the processing power of desktop PCs from the early 2000s, and enthusiasts have long used that surplus to resurrect retro interfaces and experiences. This launcher is the latest example of desktop nostalgia reimagined for mobile, but it stands out because it’s not merely a skin or wallpaper pack — it’s a functioning desktop metaphor implemented as a full-featured launcher and a set of bespoke apps.
The developer publicly documented and distributed builds from a personal site and social channels starting in late September 2025, and followed up with a major update in mid-October that broadened theme options (XP and Windows Classic flavors) and added more era-specific content. The release process and feature list have been discussed on Reddit and in the developer’s own Medium post, which provide direct detail on the bundled features and the download location.
Performance-wise, the launcher itself is modest in size (users reported download sizes in the low 70MB range during distribution), and the UI is largely modern code that emulates legacy visuals rather than attempting to port legacy binaries — a key reason it runs well on phones. Community comments on release threads also indicate occasional server-side hiccups during downloads, which the developer has been actively patching.
However, caution is warranted:
If you decide to try it, test on an expendable device, verify the APK, monitor network activity, and treat it as a delightful experiment rather than a permanent replacement for your home experience until the project’s codebase and update channels have been independently audited and verified. The fun of reliving the early-2000s desktop interface on a pocket computer is real — just make sure the technical and privacy foundations are solid before you let a piece of retro software back into your daily life.
Source: Windows Central Relive 2001 glory: Windows XP’s iconic look is back on Android — and it’s shockingly slick
Background: why a Windows XP launcher matters now
The current generation of Android hardware far outstrips the processing power of desktop PCs from the early 2000s, and enthusiasts have long used that surplus to resurrect retro interfaces and experiences. This launcher is the latest example of desktop nostalgia reimagined for mobile, but it stands out because it’s not merely a skin or wallpaper pack — it’s a functioning desktop metaphor implemented as a full-featured launcher and a set of bespoke apps.The developer publicly documented and distributed builds from a personal site and social channels starting in late September 2025, and followed up with a major update in mid-October that broadened theme options (XP and Windows Classic flavors) and added more era-specific content. The release process and feature list have been discussed on Reddit and in the developer’s own Medium post, which provide direct detail on the bundled features and the download location.
What it recreates — features and nostalgia details
This launcher aims to be more than skin-deep. The developer recreated UI elements and also coded retro-style utilities and mini-apps so the experience feels — and in many cases behaves — like a desktop from the early 2000s.Major features (what you’ll see and use)
- Multiple theme engines: Windows XP (Luna) by default, plus Windows 95, 98, ME, and 2000 Classic flavors, each with its own welcome screens, startup/shutdown sounds, and start-menu banners.
- Working desktop: A full home screen with desktop icons that you can rename and replace. Icon sets include authentic-looking icons from the era.
- Start menu as an app launcher: A functioning Start menu that lists recent apps and supports search via “Run…”, closely mirroring the original XP behavior.
- Gestures for quick actions: Swipe down to open notifications, swipe up to open the Start/Search dialog, swipe right to launch a favorite app — mapped to modern touch patterns while preserving the retro aesthetic.
- Era-accurate sounds and welcome music: Startup/shutdown audio and welcome banners to recreate the ritual of powering up a 2001 PC.
- Screensavers & wallpapers: Classic bundled wallpapers (including the famous “Bliss”-like feel) and a working 3D Pipes screensaver for full immersion.
Retro apps included (coded for Android)
- Internet Explorer 6 — implemented as a working browser shell with a homepage button and the ability to set the homepage by long-pressing. It acts as a nostalgia-themed wrapper around web content.
- Winamp — plays local audio files, recreating the era’s feel for music playback.
- Notepad — a tabbed notepad-style editor for quick notes.
- Phone Dialer — a working dialer with basic phone features and speed-dial; useful on phones where the launcher replaces the home experience.
- Registry Editor — lets you view and modify locally stored settings for the launcher and export or sync them (Google Drive integration for backups is included).
- Games — Minesweeper and Solitaire faithfully reimagined for touch.
How well it runs: practical use and cross-device behavior
Reports from early testers are positive: the launcher performs smoothly on modern flagship hardware and supports foldable layouts without major glitches, producing an unexpectedly usable “desktop-like” experience on unfolded displays. One reviewer specifically noted good behavior on a Galaxy Z Fold series device, pointing out that the larger canvas makes the desktop experience more convincing. However, this is still third-party user testing rather than wide, formal compatibility testing; experiences will vary across OEM skins, Android versions, and hardware. The developer has acknowledged minor layout issues on smaller screens where some retro windows may overflow the visible area.Performance-wise, the launcher itself is modest in size (users reported download sizes in the low 70MB range during distribution), and the UI is largely modern code that emulates legacy visuals rather than attempting to port legacy binaries — a key reason it runs well on phones. Community comments on release threads also indicate occasional server-side hiccups during downloads, which the developer has been actively patching.
Distribution and the security trade-offs
This is where the romance of nostalgia collides with practical security realities.How the app is distributed
- The developer provides an APK for sideloading from a personal site (the builds have been posted publicly in the project thread and the Medium post), and community posts note that the developer supplied a VirusTotal check alongside the APK at release time. Distribution is not via the Google Play Store, reportedly due to intellectual property and trademark constraints that make an officially published theme package difficult to approve.
Why that matters
- Sideloading risk: Installing apps outside of official app stores bypasses the automated scanning and safety nets Play Protect provides. Sideloading requires the user to manually permit installs from unknown sources, which increases the attack surface for malicious apps and social-engineering schemes.
- Auto-update supply-chain risk: The launcher reportedly checks the author’s server for updated APKs and can download updates directly. That convenience also introduces a single-point-of-failure risk: if the server is compromised or the update channel is abused, a trusted app could be swapped for a malicious payload. The developer’s current hosting/setup does not provide the same level of auditing and guarantees as Play Store distribution. This risk is elevated when the project is closed-source or when users cannot independently verify update integrity.
- Closed-source concern: At the time of public discussion, the codebase had not yet been published to GitHub for community review. That lack of public code review increases the due-diligence burden on end users; even if the present build is clean, closed update pathways mean future updates could alter behavior without external scrutiny. The developer has indicated intentions to open-source the project eventually, but that has not been the state of distribution at initial release.
Safety-first installation checklist (practical steps)
If you’re tempted to try this launcher, follow a conservative process. The list below is a prioritized, sequential checklist to reduce risk and keep your device recoverable.- Backup your phone first. Create a full data backup (Photos, Messages, account configs) before changing your launcher or granting permissions.
- Verify the APK hash and VirusTotal scan. Before installing, compare the APK’s SHA-256 hash with anything the developer publishes and run the APK through VirusTotal or a similar multi-engine scanner. The developer posted a VirusTotal check at release, but verify independently each time you download an APK. If the developer’s site does not publish an independent hash or scan, treat the build as higher risk.
- Install on a secondary device if possible. If you own a spare phone or a device that isn’t your primary communications hub, use it as your testbed. This isolates potential failures (or data leaks) away from your main phone.
- Review requested permissions one-by-one. The launcher will request permissions such as Notifications (for dots/notification integration) and Location (for weather integration). Grant only what’s necessary and consider denying anything that seems unrelated to functionality. The developer says some permissions can be denied without breaking core features, but behavior will change.
- Prefer manual updates. If the launcher offers automatic updates from the developer’s server, consider disabling auto-updates and instead re-download builds from the developer’s site after verifying the integrity of the new APK. That reduces supply-chain risk.
- Monitor network and data use. Use an Android firewall/monitor to observe outbound connections during the initial hours of use. Unexpected connections (especially to unknown domains) are a red flag.
- Wait for open-source release for better trust. If possible, delay long-term adoption until the code is published on a reputable platform (e.g., GitHub) and the community has inspected it — this is the highest-confidence path for long-term safety.
Why the project is technically impressive
There are a few design and engineering elements that make this launcher stand out among nostalgia projects:- Recreation over emulation: Rather than try to run legacy binaries, the developer rebuilt interface components and classic apps using native Android UI paradigms. That approach avoids compatibility issues and lets modern hardware accelerate the experience. The result is a responsive UI with era-correct visuals.
- Attention to micro-interactions: Startup sound, welcome banners, Clippy/Rover-like helpers, and the 3D Pipes screensaver are quality-of-life elements that show a design-first mindset rather than a quick “skin and go” patch. These details amplify the subjective immersion factor.
- Custom mini-apps: Building IE6-like browser UI, Winamp, Notepad, Minesweeper, and Solitaire from scratch is time-consuming, and doing those in a way that feels faithful but functional on touch screens is non-trivial. The inclusion of these apps shows a commitment to delivering more than aesthetic nostalgia.
The legal and IP considerations
Recreating a UI and reusing iconic sounds, icons, or branded elements can raise intellectual property concerns. Theme packs that closely mimic a major vendor’s copyrighted assets sometimes run into distribution barriers on official app stores; that’s likely why the app is not distributed through Play Store channels. Users should assume trademarked images, logos, or copyrighted media might be included in the bundle and understand the developer’s constraints when publishing to official stores. The developer’s decision to distribute via a personal site suggests caution about store approval or a conservative stance to avoid takedowns, but it also means distribution lacks Play Store protections for end users.Community reaction and evolution
The initial posts and subsequent update threads show an active and enthusiastic community reaction: users are praising detail work, sharing suggestions (for Vista/Aero or more themes), and reporting minor bugs that the developer has been patching. The social chatter is positive and often playful — a strong indicator that the project resonates with nostalgia audiences — but community enthusiasm does not replace code audit or formal security review. The developer has indicated plans for a GitHub release, which would unlock community review and potential contributions.Balanced verdict: who should try it (and who should not)
This launcher is a polished and fun nostalgia project that demonstrates impressive craft and imagination. For the right audience — retro enthusiasts with technical comfort, spare devices for testing, and a willingness to follow security hygiene — it’s a delightful, low-friction way to relive elements of the 2001 desktop era on a phone.However, caution is warranted:
- Do not install it on a primary device unless you accept the sideloading and update risks and have performed the verification steps above.
- Avoid granting unnecessary permissions, and prefer manual verification for future updates.
- If you are risk-averse, manage sensitive data on devices that do not run sideloaded apps, or wait for an open-source release and community audit before adopting.
Final thoughts: nostalgia is powerful — but so is supply-chain caution
The Windows-era Android launcher is a testament to how far mobile hardware and developer ingenuity have come: a rich, tactile throwback that runs comfortably on modern phones and layers an affectionate, faithful recreation of Windows XP (and its siblings) on top of Android’s mature platform. For enthusiasts, it’s an irresistible nostalgia trip; for security-minded users, the distribution model means prudence is required.If you decide to try it, test on an expendable device, verify the APK, monitor network activity, and treat it as a delightful experiment rather than a permanent replacement for your home experience until the project’s codebase and update channels have been independently audited and verified. The fun of reliving the early-2000s desktop interface on a pocket computer is real — just make sure the technical and privacy foundations are solid before you let a piece of retro software back into your daily life.
Source: Windows Central Relive 2001 glory: Windows XP’s iconic look is back on Android — and it’s shockingly slick
