Vista-ize your XP theme, naturally

Filed under: OS Updates, Utilities, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware, How-Tos, Mods

Vista-ize your XP theme, naturally

by Ryan Carter Jul 11th 2006

Ever get those"blue-bar" blues that everyone seems to have? Do you have that itch for another style to add some variety to your every day Windows monotony? have you ever wanted your XP to look like Vista without having to actually install Vista? If you answered yes to any of the following questions, then this post might be for you! There is a way to get other themes for XP, without having to using those third-party apps like WindowBlinds that tend to hog memory. TechRecipes has a great article on how to do this, not to mention a few different methods to try for different XP service packs. The best one, that worked for me was to download the "UXTheme Multipatcher" which changes a small file on your computer. Then, you can download any theme you want from places like DeviantArt to get a custom skinned version of XP, the (almost) natural way. VistaMax (from DeviantArt) is the best Vista theme I have found. It comes in three flavors (all in one download), blue, gray, and my personal favorite, black. Enjoy!

Please note that any changes you make to your system could cause an instability, so proceed with caution. Use this patch at your own risk.

[Via TechRecipes.com]

Tags: DeviantArt, microsoft, msstyles, Tech Recipes, TechRecipes, Vista, visual styles, VisualStyles, windowblinds, windows, XP

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

James Varghese said 2:33PM on 7-11-2006

Ryan,
Here's another alternative which I'm not sure if you guys have presented yet. Bricopacks from Crystal XP
http://www.crystalxp.net/bricopack/
changes your settings around a little bit but with the integration of other programs (YDock, YIcon, etc.), adds some more interesting functions like drop shadows for folders, a "bounce" when you click on icons, and a drop-down panel of major shortcuts. Once I started using all the stuff on my new computer, I can't imagine it any other way.

I use the crystal clear version myself.
http://www.crystalxp.net/bricopack/en-crystal-clear.htm

Oh, but since I use a new comp. (AMD 4200 X2, 2 GB Ram - $700 :), I'm not sure how well it would do on older computers.

Ryan Carter said 2:50PM on 7-11-2006

Thanks James, I appreciate the comments. I personally had heard of CrystalXP, but haven't tried it yet. I'll give it a shot.

sean said 3:49PM on 7-11-2006

the new windowblinds 5.01 takes up much less resources than the implemented skinning system in windows. plus you can also disable the theming service for a few extra mb of ram.

Bryan said 8:28AM on 7-12-2006

Great post. I will check this out. I was a bad reader, and totally missed the open beta test for Vista until the last day. I downloaded the iso, but did not sign up for a key. By the time I started the install (a day later...3.4gigs takes a while, even on a FiOS line), they had closed the beta best again. So I dug around the internet and found a key that would let me install but not activate. So Vista dies in a few days, and I will miss the look. This will help tide me over. I think my wife will miss the new look for all of the casual windows games. I think I will format my Vista Drive and try Linux... any suggestions?

tinkerbell said 4:14AM on 7-25-2006

You can download a windows xp theme based on the new vista standard theme here:
http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9226

............. said 2:27PM on 5-27-2007

@Bryan: Yes. Get Linux. Personally, I'd go for the fully loaded Mandriva 11, also 3.6GB if memory serves me correctly. If not, you could go for Ubuntu 7. It's kinda nice, but I think Ubuntu's overrated. Also, you can find skins for Ubuntu to make it look Vista-ish.
-------------------------------------------------
Hey, have any of you guys ever heard of ReactOS? It's a open-source Window's app. compatible operating system. They created it to make a Open Source Windows. It's kinda neat.

http://www.reactos.org/en/index.html

Anmol said 1:05PM on 6-21-2007

win vista theme is very expesive in looking.I love this window,so that i want to download this Vista theme.

NAZIR said 12:38AM on 7-18-2007

sent me vista theme for my xp

fedwn said 11:55AM on 7-27-2007

please sent me vista thme for my xp!!!!

santanu mondal said 9:31AM on 3-14-2008

plz send me the vista theme for my xp

topex said 3:18AM on 3-24-2008

please send me this vista theme for my windows xp!

Manvinder said 3:29PM on 7-29-2008

plzzz send me theme of vista for my xp

hyderalikhan said 6:56AM on 8-08-2008

arvinddharwal said 6:16AM on 2-07-2009

very bad theme......
this brico pack theme just sticks to the computer and doesn't get removed even after uninstalling it.
so i request you all not to use this theme as it is the worst vista theme for xp i ever saw....
be creul guys....

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