PC Hobbyist
New Member
Changing XP to look like Vista
This contains information on how to change: windows themes, icons, cursors, toolbars, etc. and add a couple of features to make XP look and feel a bit more Vista-like. To the best of my knowledge, this is all legal and for the most part free. However, if you find anything here to be illegal, please let me know and I will remove it. There are only two things here that are not free. They are WindowBlinds (needed if you want to use .wba themes) and Top Desk for the Flip 3D window effect. Those programs cost $20 and $15 USD respectively.
Finding Vista-like .wba themes and msstyles
msstyles
VistaStyles.org for MS Visual Styles or also here: Browse Deviantart Visual Styles
Sorry, I don’t have individual links for msstyles. Just browse the links above.
Keep in mind that for msstyles you need to have applied this patch: UXTheme-patch at Softpedia
To the best of my knowledge, you cannot achieve the true glassy effect by only using msstyles. If you really want that effect, spend the 20 bucks and get WindowBlinds 5 from Stardock.com. Note that the demo version of WB5 does not support the true glass effect either.
Skins for Windowblinds 5
Many from Deviantart in easy browsing here:
VistaStyles.org for WB or here (Deviantart search result for Vista)
My Favorite WB5 Skins
I grouped the ones that are basically the same skin but with different updates or variations
VistaCG http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/27363349
VistaCG variation http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42413053
Vista RTM6000 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/43825263
Vista RTM ClearTaskbar http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/43011583
Vista RC2 RTM Update 2 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42852311
Vista RC2 RTM update 1 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42192299
Percept2
View it at: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/31805118
Download it at: http://www.deviantart.com/view/32188365/
Aero Redux http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/47618360
GlassVista http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/45909665/
GlassVista Full http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/46176825/
XP Black Edition – Final http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/47292970/
XP Aero Edition http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/47020917/
WMP-Eclips WB V3 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/45901462/
Ecliz_Deluxe http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/33874973/
Ecliz_Deluxe_2 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37926792/
HilledSE__The_Release_For_WB5 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/43647808/
VistaPerfection_X4_RCX http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42710127/
Vista_Aurora_5365_windowblinds http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/32664794/
Jadaero 1.3 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/46622486/
Jadaero 1.2 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/44199549/
Vista Ultimate - by planetlive http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37092594/
Vista 2.4 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/40338929/
You can also look at CrystalXP.net for example:
http://www.crystalxp.net/galerie/en.cat.3.htm
Different accessories for Vista look-a-like (from icons, to toolbars to skins etc...) Just go through all their links at. http://www.joejoe.biz/stream/
Changing your logon screen
You’ll need the free LogonStudio http://www.stardock.com/products/logonstudio/
Logon skins found at:
http://browse.deviantart.com/customization/skins/windows/logonxp/?order=9&alltime=yes
http://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?libid=26
http://vistastyles.org/category/vista-logonxp/
Changing your icons
The all-in-one method with Vista Transformation Pack 6 which actually does a lot more than just change icons: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Vista-Transformation-Pack.shtml
Some people are concerned it has malware, but from everything I have read it appears to be clean.
Another all-in-one option to change all icons (and nothing else) is the Vista Icon Pack v.3
http://vistaiconpack.com
The manual method includes options like:
Icon Tweaker (free): http://joost.endoria.net/home
And then finding sets of icons to use for it.
Changing your cursors
Cursors: http://bronch.com/downloads/risherz/aero-cursors.zip
How to change them: http://www.tech-recipes.com/windows_tips1073.html
Changing your toolbar
Need the free Styler Toolbar: http://www.crystalxp.net/galerie/en.id.551.htm
Skins found at: http://vistastyles.org/category/vista-styler-toolbar/
Adding a side-bar (google this topic for other options)
My favorite one:
For Samurize: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/45983605/
Download Samurize (free) here: http://www.samurize.com/modules/news/
Samurize is a bit tricky to use at first, but it is good.
Thumbnails of minimized windows
Shows a thumbnail when the mouse is placed over the minimized window
Free: http://www.visualtasktips.com/
Vista Drive Status Bar
Displays drives in My Computer with a small status bar showing how full each drive is.
http://vistastyles.org/2006/08/16/vista-drive-statusbar/
Wallpapers
Search google for Vista wallpapers, but other than that, here the best webpage with hundreds free high-resolution photographs including many for wide-screen monitors. Tip: At the top of their page, select your desired resolution browse more specifically.
http://interfacelift.com/wallpaper/index.php?sort=date
Flip-3D windows
You need Top Desk (costs $15 USD): Demo or buy at http://www.otakusoftware.com/topdesk/
Link with general instructions on changing xp to look like Vista Longhorn
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1089/make_xp_look_like_vista_longhorn_free
And now... enjoy your computer's new look!
This contains information on how to change: windows themes, icons, cursors, toolbars, etc. and add a couple of features to make XP look and feel a bit more Vista-like. To the best of my knowledge, this is all legal and for the most part free. However, if you find anything here to be illegal, please let me know and I will remove it. There are only two things here that are not free. They are WindowBlinds (needed if you want to use .wba themes) and Top Desk for the Flip 3D window effect. Those programs cost $20 and $15 USD respectively.
Finding Vista-like .wba themes and msstyles
msstyles
VistaStyles.org for MS Visual Styles or also here: Browse Deviantart Visual Styles
Sorry, I don’t have individual links for msstyles. Just browse the links above.
Keep in mind that for msstyles you need to have applied this patch: UXTheme-patch at Softpedia
To the best of my knowledge, you cannot achieve the true glassy effect by only using msstyles. If you really want that effect, spend the 20 bucks and get WindowBlinds 5 from Stardock.com. Note that the demo version of WB5 does not support the true glass effect either.
Skins for Windowblinds 5
Many from Deviantart in easy browsing here:
VistaStyles.org for WB or here (Deviantart search result for Vista)
My Favorite WB5 Skins
I grouped the ones that are basically the same skin but with different updates or variations
VistaCG http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/27363349
VistaCG variation http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42413053
Vista RTM6000 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/43825263
Vista RTM ClearTaskbar http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/43011583
Vista RC2 RTM Update 2 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42852311
Vista RC2 RTM update 1 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42192299
Percept2
View it at: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/31805118
Download it at: http://www.deviantart.com/view/32188365/
Aero Redux http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/47618360
GlassVista http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/45909665/
GlassVista Full http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/46176825/
XP Black Edition – Final http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/47292970/
XP Aero Edition http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/47020917/
WMP-Eclips WB V3 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/45901462/
Ecliz_Deluxe http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/33874973/
Ecliz_Deluxe_2 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37926792/
HilledSE__The_Release_For_WB5 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/43647808/
VistaPerfection_X4_RCX http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42710127/
Vista_Aurora_5365_windowblinds http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/32664794/
Jadaero 1.3 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/46622486/
Jadaero 1.2 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/44199549/
Vista Ultimate - by planetlive http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37092594/
Vista 2.4 http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/40338929/
You can also look at CrystalXP.net for example:
http://www.crystalxp.net/galerie/en.cat.3.htm
Different accessories for Vista look-a-like (from icons, to toolbars to skins etc...) Just go through all their links at. http://www.joejoe.biz/stream/
Changing your logon screen
You’ll need the free LogonStudio http://www.stardock.com/products/logonstudio/
Logon skins found at:
http://browse.deviantart.com/customization/skins/windows/logonxp/?order=9&alltime=yes
http://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?libid=26
http://vistastyles.org/category/vista-logonxp/
Changing your icons
The all-in-one method with Vista Transformation Pack 6 which actually does a lot more than just change icons: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Vista-Transformation-Pack.shtml
Some people are concerned it has malware, but from everything I have read it appears to be clean.
Another all-in-one option to change all icons (and nothing else) is the Vista Icon Pack v.3
http://vistaiconpack.com
The manual method includes options like:
Icon Tweaker (free): http://joost.endoria.net/home
And then finding sets of icons to use for it.
Changing your cursors
Cursors: http://bronch.com/downloads/risherz/aero-cursors.zip
How to change them: http://www.tech-recipes.com/windows_tips1073.html
Changing your toolbar
Need the free Styler Toolbar: http://www.crystalxp.net/galerie/en.id.551.htm
Skins found at: http://vistastyles.org/category/vista-styler-toolbar/
Adding a side-bar (google this topic for other options)
My favorite one:
For Samurize: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/45983605/
Download Samurize (free) here: http://www.samurize.com/modules/news/
Samurize is a bit tricky to use at first, but it is good.
Thumbnails of minimized windows
Shows a thumbnail when the mouse is placed over the minimized window
Free: http://www.visualtasktips.com/
Vista Drive Status Bar
Displays drives in My Computer with a small status bar showing how full each drive is.
http://vistastyles.org/2006/08/16/vista-drive-statusbar/
Wallpapers
Search google for Vista wallpapers, but other than that, here the best webpage with hundreds free high-resolution photographs including many for wide-screen monitors. Tip: At the top of their page, select your desired resolution browse more specifically.
http://interfacelift.com/wallpaper/index.php?sort=date
Flip-3D windows
You need Top Desk (costs $15 USD): Demo or buy at http://www.otakusoftware.com/topdesk/
Link with general instructions on changing xp to look like Vista Longhorn
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1089/make_xp_look_like_vista_longhorn_free
And now... enjoy your computer's new look!
Last edited:
Well, you could try and see how it goes. I have 1.5 GB of RAM and the only things on the list I don't have are the flip 3d windows and the minimized window thumbnails (I do use WindowBlinds now). I have to say, I don't have a problem with my RAM, but people with 1GB or less or people who often run RAM-draining applications might.
Well, that would be the easiest thing to do if you don't mind spending a bit more (which, I must say, at $120 for Vista Home Premium OEM - it's not a bad idea at all for those wanting the true and full Vista experience). Of course, in that case you'll also see your amount of free RAM go down as well and you might find that some of the stuff you have on xp is not yet compatible with Vista.