How to make Windows XP look like Windows Vista
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.
@haloses1221
Yeah they work and give you all the eye candy but they suck performance at a bigger rate. Especially those transparencies and glass effect.
im a expert using windows xp
and i use all the programs to change the aparience of windows visual style
i recomend you to dont use the trasnformation pack
it changes some files very important on ur computer and u can’t
restart it to the custom values
i have my computer very fast, looking so great and working with this
progrmas in wich i will show u how to apply it
= window blinds =
to have this program u have to pay
but be smart.. look on youtube for some videos to know how to crack it
and then u gona have windows blinds for free
and if u already have windows blinds
look for a theme called (windows aero almost final)
its the more closer to windows vista aperance
it makes the task bar transparent and ur start menu to
= true tranparency =
this theme changes (just the borders of the windows ) trnasparent
like Aero on windows vista, this program have options to change the skin if u dont like so much the Aero efect
and also i have some extra advatajes
this program have aero shake ( shake a widow and re arange the order of the windows on ur desktop!!! )
=another good programs=
-ux theme multy patcher
1- change the name of this folder ( i386 )
2- install ux theme multy patcher
3- re-start ur pc
4- ur pc is gona look so bad but is for the moment dont worry
now serach a good theme on internet ill birng a good theme who looks like vista
http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&q=xp+vista+theme#/d14cvg0
5-download the zip file
6- then look for the file with this name
(vista vs.msstyles) and dobble clik on it
7- it wil appears a configuration of aparence windows
click on “acept” and
8- ur windows xp looks like vista now
( ill recomend you to add windows vista start menu )
ill give u a video showing how to got it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQBNuFGouyw
how to make widnows vista start menu run at start up
ok! do the next
1-open my computer
2- c:
3-documents and settings
4-chosse the user
5-start
6-progrmas
7-start
8- then put on this folder the windows vista start menu
short cut
ill recomend to add true transparency
and trans bar to make
the task bar transparent
and thts it…
hope i help u
I have never used Glass2K. Will give it a try. I hope it isn’t a memory hog..
Yes!