New look on XP/VISTA, MAKE IT LOOK LIKE WINDOWS 7, OR BETTER.

Patrick20

I'm sure many of you know how this is done or have done it yourself but there will be many who don't and are sick of looking at the same desktop all the time.

Lets face it looking at the same toolbar for any length of time can be tedious. Windows doesnt have many options when it comes to visual styles. However, there is a way to unlock Windows default themes so that you can use Custom themes. Btw, its not dangerous(especially if you set a system restore point before beginning. There are many styles to choose from including one that makes your desktop look like windows 7.

First you have to know how to begin using custom styles. Here is where I got the info.

http://lifehacker.com/5056544/how-to-use-custom-windows-visual-styles

Heres how to put the windows 7 style on your desktop

http://lifehacker.com/5126130/windows-7-theme-for-a-vista-desktop

There are plenty more styles available on Deviant Art aswell. Aswell as icons and wallpapers to make your whole desktop stand out a little. Heres what i done today. It really keeps the spirits up when working on my laptop.

Oh and the little bar (and the calendar etc)at the bottom of my desktop is Yahoo Widgets which is like Vista Sidebar Gadgets and Google Gadgets but(atleast to me) have better asthetics.

4743hudsonj

Patrick20 wrote: »

I'm sure many of you know how this is done or have done it yourself but there will be many who don't and are sick of looking at the same desktop all the time.

Lets face it looking at the same toolbar for any length of time can be tedious. Windows doesnt have many options when it comes to visual styles. However, there is a way to unlock Windows default themes so that you can use Custom themes. Btw, its not dangerous(especially if you set a system restore point before beginning. There are many styles to choose from including one that makes your desktop look like windows 7.

First you have to know how to begin using custom styles. Here is where I got the info.

http://lifehacker.com/5056544/how-to-use-custom-windows-visual-styles

Heres how to put the windows 7 style on your desktop

http://lifehacker.com/5126130/windows-7-theme-for-a-vista-desktop

There are plenty more styles available on Deviant Art aswell. Aswell as icons and wallpapers to make your whole desktop stand out a little. Heres what i done today. It really keeps the spirits up when working on my laptop.

Oh and the little bar (and the calendar etc)at the bottom of my desktop is Yahoo Widgets which is like Vista Sidebar Gadgets and Google Gadgets but(atleast to me) have better asthetics.

Another option to consider on faster xp machines is a program called "vistamizer".

It changes ALL of the main parts of the computer to emulate vistas look, even the user logon pages, startbar and file browser.

You can also use other add ons such as v_start to change the start bar once again to look exactly like vista, including the instant search feature.

Its enough to fool less experienced users into thinking its vista.

Ive used it on my rents machine, very little lagging compared but i wouldnt advise it on anything less than .5GB of ram.

Patrick20

I dont know why you would want to change xp to look like vista though. I know its nice to change and i fully apreciate that, but vista is so gloomy/dull. My machine runs vista but ive made it look like 7. Just because its a much lighter interface.

Thanks for the addition though as im sure there will be some people who prefer vistas dark look.

Ps my method doesnt involve running programs in the background so it doesnt use any more ram. Its just allowing people to change from aero or vista basic to another style. The same can be done with xp. Also most program that do it cost money but my method is 100% free.

4743hudsonj

Patrick20 wrote: »

I dont know why you would want to change xp to look like vista though. I know its nice to change and i fully apreciate that, but vista is so gloomy/dull. My machine runs vista but ive made it look like 7. Just because its a much lighter interface.

Thanks for the addition though as im sure there will be some people who prefer vistas dark look.

i dont mind vista that much, not a patch on 7 but a step up from xp

Patrick20

I honestly dont mind how it works for that i hasve no complaints but the style gets me down.

bribrian

I'd love to try this but i'd be scared in case i bu??ered everything up......

Patrick20

bribrian wrote: »

I'd love to try this but i'd be scared in case i bu??ered everything up......

Its obiously up to you whether you do it but there really isnt anything that can go wrong. If you follow the instructions its a piece of cake. And as i said for added safety do a system restore point.

computershack

..or alternatively, get rid of a 10 year old soon to be discontinued OS that has more holes in its security than there are in Swiss Cheese and upgrade to Windows 7.

Patrick20

computershack wrote: »

..or alternatively, get rid of a 10 year old soon to be discontinued OS that has more holes in its security than there are in Swiss Cheese and upgrade to Windows 7.

OR read my post properly and realise that this is also for vista. Not to mention upgrading costs a small fortune. Do you understand the values of MSE? It's to help people make the most of free and cheaper alternatives to expensive consumer goods. Surely this thread fits in with that ideology and gives an alternative to some people. Your post wasnt helpful computershack, all it did was !!!! me off.

computershack

Patrick20 wrote: »

Do you understand the values of MSE? It's to help people make the most of free and cheaper alternatives to expensive consumer goods. Surely this thread fits in with that ideology and gives an alternative to some people. Your post wasnt helpful computershack, all it did was !!!! me off.

..says the man who openly admitted it slows down computers and for some people would require spending money to upgrade the RAM, and then gets them to install a hacked system file which requires the disabling of IMPORTANT SYSTEM LEVEL PROTECTION. Or did you just skip that bit or because you're not clued up didn't realise the importance and future trouble it could cause?

Actually, considering you view Lifehacker, which is regarded in the IT world as somewhat of a Daily Mail, a noteworthy source then its probably the latter.

£30 for Windows 7 if you've got someone in the household in education. £30 for something that cost £100 millions to create isn't a bad price.

If you want to go ultimate moneysaving, why don't you ever suggest Ubuntu?

Patrick20

computershack wrote: »

..says the man who openly admitted it slows down computers and for some people would require spending money to upgrade the RAM, and then gets them to install a hacked system file which requires the disabling of IMPORTANT SYSTEM LEVEL PROTECTION. Or did you just skip that bit or because you're not clued up didn't realise the importance and future trouble it could cause?

Actually, considering you view Lifehacker, which is regarded in the IT world as somewhat of a Daily Mail, a noteworthy source then its probably the latter.

£30 for Windows 7 if you've got someone in the household in education. £30 for something that cost £100 millions to create isn't a bad price.

If you want to go ultimate moneysaving, why don't you ever suggest Ubuntu?

1. Where did i say that? I think your confusing posters.
2. It only modifies the visual styles dll which doesnt harm the system protection.
3. Thats illegal only the student is allowed to use it.
4. Because linux isnt for everyone and it would be stupid to suggest that it would suit all needs or preferences. And there are always different levels that people are willing to save on. Even the great guru Martin Lewis has things he wont eat from the tesco value range.

You do realise your little view of the Daily Mail and Life Hacker makes you sound like a right human vulva don't you!? I was going to use !!!! but i thought that would be too lowbrow for you.

Heres a thought, how about you go away and allow people who find this thread useful to use it.