This free XP‑style launcher turns your Android into a nostalgia machine (and it’s absurdly good)

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By Daniel Rubino published 15 hours ago

A developer has gone above and beyond to bring Windows XP (and Windows 95, 98, and ME) to your Android phone with a free launcher that blew me away with its attention to detail.


Windows Launcher for Android can replicate the look of Windows XP, ME, 98, 95, or Windows 2000, including sounds, apps, wallpaper, and even the 3D Pipes screensaver for a huge nostalgia trip that is surprisingly functional. (Image credit: Future | Daniel Rubino)

If you haven’t noticed, our 2025-era Android phones are extremely powerful compared to full desktop PCs from 24 years ago. That means, in theory, you should be able to run something that at least looks like Windows XP without a hitch.

Now, a developer has done just that and released it free to the world, and it’s ridiculously good.

Following a major update a few days ago, Reddit user /u/gjovanovski (Gorjan Jovanovski) shared the Windows Android launcher APK (along with a Virus Total Check), letting anyone download and sideload the launcher to their Android phone.

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