Chicago95 is a GTK3 and XFCE theme that recreates the visual appearance of Windows 95 for Linux desktops.
The project addresses the lack of a cohesive Windows 95 theme across GTK2, GTK3, and XFCE components. Rather than patching together existing themes, it provides a complete visual overhaul with consistent styling throughout the desktop environment. The theme includes custom icons, window manager decorations based on the Redmond XFWM theme, and support for multiple desktop layers including Plymouth boot splash and LibreOffice icon sets. It also bundles Chicago95 Plus, a tool for previewing and installing additional Windows 95, 98, ME, and XP themes, plus an MS-DOS inspired shell theme for oh-my-zsh.
Chicago95 suits users running XFCE or Xubuntu who want an authentic nostalgic desktop experience or are testing retro Linux configurations. It requires GTK+ 3.22 or later and Xfce 4.12 or newer, with optional support for HiDPI monitors. The project includes experimental KDE support through SDDM and Splash Screen components. The README does not compare the theme to alternatives, but emphasizes its consistency across components as a distinguishing factor from previous fragmented approaches.
The project maintains a substantial user base, with most issues originating from outside users reporting real-world problems rather than from the core team. Responses to issues and pull requests typically arrive within one to two weeks. Development activity centers on bug fixes, enhancements, and tips, as reflected in the issue tracker labels.
