How to make Windows XP look like Windows Vista
By Madhur Kapoor on Dec 2, 2007 in Tutorials, Vista, Windows
Even though Windows Vista didnt reach the same height of popularity like Windows XP, its Aero theme and interface is worth checking out. Now to make Windows XP look and feel similar to Windows Vista, we are going to make use of three applications
1) Vista Transformation Pack 8
This thing needs no introduction. You can make your Windows XP look like Vista just by installing this applications. The new version 8 was released recently and it includes several new enhancements such as
- Boot Screen
- Logon Screen
- Progress Dialogs
- Sound Scheme
- Windows Media Player skins
- lots more
This is the first time i have tried Vista Transformation pack and it does the job well. You can see my screenshot to see the effect your self.
It didnt slow down the system but i have a high configuration so i cant say how it will perform on lower end machines. However one thing which i noticed when i tried installing it on my older pc is that it gave an error and the installation did not continue. Has anyone else faced this problem ? Overall, it will make your GUI very much similar to Vista even with a sidebar.
2)Glass2k
For those of you who dont want to install the whole pack but want the same transparency effect like that Vista, then Glass2k is the thing for you. It is a small program that can be used in WindowsXP to make any windows transparent. Just click on the window and press(Control + Shift + [0-9]) or right click on the window to make it transparent. This can make most of your windows transparent even Word , WMP , games etc. It can even make the taskbar transparent. The best thing is that is is 54Kb in size. You can check its effect in the screen shot shown below.
3)Vista Drive icons
Thanks to Shivaranjan for informing me about this cool application. Windows Vista also displays the amount of space in your hard drive graphically. To add this functionality to Windows XP , you can use a utility called Vista Drive icons.
Just install this and you will get the same functionality in Windows XP drive icons
Together you can also use these 3 applications to make your XP seem much more like Vista but it looks only. Are there any similar applications which you have used? Do share your thoughts with me.
Hey Madhur, nice list! I tried installing the transformation pack but it slowed my computer to a crawl even though it has 1GB RAm and a 3GHz processor! I uninstalled it but the Glass2K and the Drive icons seems very promising. I’m going to try that tonight!
K-IntheHouse | Dec 3, 2007 | Reply
I have never used Glass2K. Will give it a try. I hope it isn’t a memory hog.
Haris | Dec 3, 2007 | Reply
I’m currently using the Drive icons, never tired the transformation pack.
Nirmal | Dec 4, 2007 | Reply
How about using Window blinds for the Aero Glass effect (alpha blending)? I was using it before I upgraded to Vista Business
Karthik Ramgopal | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
dis thing is g8t need more good ideas
hori | Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
Can’t try VTP8 at home. Will try in hostel. And I am using the glass2k and vista drive icons. I was not aware of this icon utility. Thanks for sharing.
Ashfame | Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
Also I am getting a 404 error while commenting but the comment appears itself on hitting back and refreshing the page. Do look into it.
Ashfame | Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
I have faced the problem, where the installation didnt continue on the transformation pack. I tried copying files into folders to open it again. Doesnt work. I am now trying the glass2k. Hopefully itll work out for me
Brooke | Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
I tried the transformation pack. and i had the same problem The installation did not complete. Im trying the glass2k later. But good job.
Brooke | Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
hey will it also run on my pc? my config are 2.4Ghz processor,512Mb RAM,845 MB
Urmesh | Jul 15, 2008 | Reply
@Urmesh
Yes, but the performance will not be up to the mark. Better you don’t install it
Madhur Kapoor | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply