Wanna make Windows XP look like Vista
Are you thinking of purchasing Windows Vista only for
the sake of enjoying the newly revamped Graphical User
Interface? If the answer is yes and if you have already
Windows XP installed in the system, think wisely before
going for it. You will still get same user interface
and everything visual effects of Windows Vista in Windows
XP itself and save lot of dollars, if you download and
install a new kind of software know as “Vista
Transformation Pack”. Let us compare looks, Windows Vista vs Windows XP
Vista Transformation Pack
Vista Transformation Pack is a kind of software, when
applied in Windows XP, changes the look of every major
components such as start button, task bar, start menu,
window appearance, in accordance to Windows Vista. This
makes Windows XP to get into look similar to that of
Windows Vista. Windows Vista transformation pack acts
as a desktop theme for Windows XP.
New Windows Vista Aero interface
The Vista Transformation pack enable Windows XP to
wear a new look, as same as a pizza decorated with topping
of tomato, cheese and onion slices. The new look will
be noticed from computer startup to shutdown, if transformation
pack applied. This gives a pleasant feeling of being
in the new Windows Vista Aero interface. The Aero interface
includes features like 3D look of windows, translucent
(meaning: semi-transparent) window appearances.
New style with Style XP
It is possible now, to build a computer system around
$400 - $ 600, which is excluding the monitor. One can
play high end games, watch multimedia contents and run
various multimedia applications. One can build a gaming
computer so easily by purchasing the following components
or parts.There are many other paid types of softwares
such as the one Style XP are available which enables
one to stylize Windows XP to get a look similar to Windows
Vista. But, they do not provide total visual effects
to all visual components of Windows XP. Some may change
toolbar, while some may change login screen, some may
change the look of Window appearance. The Windows Vista
transformation pack will do all these things in one
go.
Some features in the desktop area, such as the side
bar
The transformation pack does not give full functionality
of Windows Vista. However, it includes some features
in the desktop area, such as the side bar, to make XP
resemble Vista in appearance.
Create a restore point
It is highly recommended to create a restore point
before proceeding to install Windows Vista transformation
pack. One can revert back to the working configuration
setting, if Windows XP develops some problems, after
installation. To create a restore point, one need to
click start > All Programs > Accessories >
System tools > System Restore and follow the screens
appear on System Restore utility.
Transformation Pack prepared by one Mr. Windows X
The Vista Transformation Pack for Windows XP is a freeware,
meaning that the software can be used free of cost.
The Transformation Pack also referred to as Customization
Pack, is prepared by one Mr. Windows X. The latest version
is 6.0.
The software has to be downloaded from www.windowsxlive.net,
using the internet connection. A word of caution goes
here. As soon as the downloading process gets completed
check the downloaded file for any viruses using the
Antivirus program.
At least 200 MB of free space
One has to make sure that, one has got at least 200
MB of free space available in the Windows drive, that
is a hard drive partition in which Windows is being
installed.
Now, start the installation process. During installation,
one will be prompted with various options to select.
At the beginning itself, one will be prompted to select
the installation location, that is, whether to copy
the Vista User Interface (UI) files to system folder
or to the setup folder. It is highly recommended to
choose system folder, as choosing setup folder will
change the Windows XP’s original installation
files.
Screen resolution
After selecting installation location, one will be
prompted with the screen resolution, and options showing
what stuffs one want to change. It is recommended that,
one need to select all options to get the Windows XP,
fully transformed. After selecting all the required
options correctly, close all open programs, click on
transform to begin installation. It will take nearly
2 to 5 minutes to complete the extracting, copying process.
Once it is finished, restart the system.
Installation dialog
Installation dialog with the list of options of what
are all things one needs to transform.
After the computer gets restarted, one will get System
properties dialog box asking to select the visual style
to be applied. Choose Windows Aero, and click on OK.
Now, the new revamped user interface will get boot up.
Now, wait for 1-2 minutes to get everything loaded.
You will get all new desktop from now on. The new Windows
Aero desktop of Windows XP would contain all features
similar to that in Windows Vista. It contains coolest
of cool black task bar, a different looking clock and
a sidebar with widgets appearing on the right hand side.
The icons will be set to be that of vista and tool bars
appear similarly.
Appearance of Windows Vista Aero in Windows XP
Appearance of Login screen in Windows XP after full
transformation
Windows appearance after transforming XP into Windows
Vista Aero
Configure further
To configure further, bring up the system tray. Select
the icon resembling penguin to choose the color schemes
of tool bar and various desktop and other options such
as drop shadow, icon spacing etc. It is highly recommended
to keep these settings intact, as default.
In Windows Vista environment
The transformation makes user to feel that they are
in Windows Vista environment. The transformation pack
has got a feature, which enables one to get the thumbnail
preview of the minimized programs in the task bar by
simply moving the mouse over the minimized area of the
program on the task bar. One can change the settings
of the preview window too.
Smart looking utility will consume PC resources
The transformation pack consumes quite more system
resources, such as, RAM, Hard disk space, swapping pool,
makes booting, quite slower than before. This is because,
the processing time required to start the side bar and
preview panel startup are more. Otherwise, as said above,
it is a useful, smart looking utility which can give
one the Windows Vista feelings in older Windows XP.
Check out more topics on windows from here,
Advantages and Disadvantages of Windows 7
16 Reasons Why Should You Select Windows Vista
Advantages and Disadavantages of Windows Vista
Advice on Upgrading to Windows Vista
All about Windows Vista Migration
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