Title:

Visual Continuity in Flux: A Case Study of the “Windows 7 Icon Pack for Windows 8.1” (2013)

Explorer Ribbon (2013): You still have the Windows 8.1 ribbon interface at the top of folders.
Icons (2009): The hard drives show the old green "bar graph" meter. The Network icon is a blue CRT monitor.
Taskbar (Hybrid): The icons on the taskbar will be Windows 7 style, but the taskbar itself will be flat (unless you use a third-party shell like Classic Shell, which was also popular in 2013).

Smart practice in 2013:

Use 7TSP (easy, safe, supports .7z icon packs).
Download a Windows 7 icon pack converted for 7TSP from DeviantArt (2018–2021 uploads often still work).
Avoid manual DLL patching unless you’re in an offline VM.

Part 6: The Modern Alternative (For Nostalgics)

If you must replace system resources:

Aero

In 2013, the "Windows 7 Icon Pack for Windows 8.1" became a popular tool for users who were dissatisfied with the "flat" and "Metro" aesthetic of the newly released Windows 8.1. While Windows 8.1 offered performance improvements like faster boot times and better memory management, many users missed the glossy, high-detail icons and the familiar Start menu of Windows 7. The "Windows 7 IconPack By 2013Windows8.1" Report

Windows 7 Icon Pack By 2013 Windows 8.1 _best_ -

Title:

Visual Continuity in Flux: A Case Study of the “Windows 7 Icon Pack for Windows 8.1” (2013)

Explorer Ribbon (2013): You still have the Windows 8.1 ribbon interface at the top of folders.
Icons (2009): The hard drives show the old green "bar graph" meter. The Network icon is a blue CRT monitor.
Taskbar (Hybrid): The icons on the taskbar will be Windows 7 style, but the taskbar itself will be flat (unless you use a third-party shell like Classic Shell, which was also popular in 2013).

Smart practice in 2013:

Use 7TSP (easy, safe, supports .7z icon packs).
Download a Windows 7 icon pack converted for 7TSP from DeviantArt (2018–2021 uploads often still work).
Avoid manual DLL patching unless you’re in an offline VM.