Filed under: Design, OS Updates, Utilities, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware, Mods
Vista Transformation Pack: Vista-ize your XP
by Ryan Carter Sep 23rd 2006 at 2:07PM
I have had a lot of people asking me what Windows theme I have, since it looks like nothing ever seen on XP. It is a theme generated by a sweet little app called Vista Transformation Pack (VTP). It turns XP into Vista, at least visually. The VTP is a slick one-stop shop install that transforms just about everything to look like Vista. The login screen, the toolbar, the windows, sounds, screen-savers, and even wallpaper. I love the look and feel of the Vista components, but love the stability and widespread use of XP, so until I get a bigger hard drive, this is the closest I will get to Vista. It even includes a transparency function to mimic Vista's Aero Glass. The VTP installs fairly easily, is free and seems to run seamlessly with not a hiccup so far on my machine. Note that VTP does mess with Windows system files and may rearrange your icons, but there is a detailed warning during the install process, so you can see all it does. Didn't harm my machine at all, so good luck! Here is the list of things it will Vista-ize on XP:- Boot screen
- Welcome Screen / Logon Screen
- New msstyles files (visual styles)
- New desktop and file icons
- New toolbar icons
- Progress Dialogs
- Sounds scheme
- System Tray icons
- New Wallpapers
- Windows Media Player Skins
- And much more
My desktop, thoroughly Vista-ized, including icons, background. RocketDock at the bottom of the screen is NOT a part of the transformation pack, but has skins that go nicely with Vista's styles none the less.
Transparent windows and Vista style (dark)
Another view of the Windows explorer dialog
Another desktop view with the LClock, Start-menu, and a sample of the transparency on Windows. You can even choose the system font you want, Arial, MS Sans Serif, and Segoe UI are some of the choices.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David G. Hong said 6:39PM on 9-23-2006
I've had a very bad experience with one of these transformation packs (which transformed Windows XP UI to Mac OS X Aqua UI) before.
What it did was, it installed and ran okay. Apart from a few things looking very dodgy and fishy, I have to say it worked. But the problem was with uninstalling - I followed the prompts to backup existing dll files and all but upon uninstallation my font packs were missing, dll files were unstable, icons were still in aqua form and etc. This forced me to reinstall my precious Windows XP.
Whilst, it might have been my fault (I don't know what I have done wrong) other - beginner - users could have a simliar problem as I did.
So the question remains, how did the uninstallation process go? Good to go for the noobies out there?
You know, I thought I was a pro and all.
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Mysterius said 6:41PM on 9-23-2006
That sounds like Flyakite OSX. Did you try asking people on their forums?
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Justin said 6:42PM on 9-23-2006
Will this slow down my pc?
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Ryan Carter said 6:46PM on 9-23-2006
I don't think it will. Of course it depends on your particular hardware, on my machine the memory hit is around 6K, so not bad at all. I haven't noticed any kind of performance slow down what so ever. Hopefully it will be the same for you.It integrates with XP, and consists more of new msstyles to work its magic and not really any apps running to speak of (LClock and Glass2k, both are optional).
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Justin said 7:26PM on 9-23-2006
right on, i have a fairly decent rig. thanks, ill give it a shot.
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bamboo said 9:53PM on 9-23-2006
I am actually using it right now, and have been for over a month without any problems. I really like the look, and the new sounds.
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bram said 11:23AM on 9-24-2006
yo, i dled it and works great, however i cant figure out how to make my windows transparent....can somebody help?
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Frank said 11:30AM on 9-24-2006
Beware. If you use Windows XP Professional x64 VTP is incompatible at this time.
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joshuahh said 4:35PM on 9-24-2006
@ Bram
When you install the glass install option is not selected. I had the same mistake and just did a quick reinstall.
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shaan said 10:23AM on 9-25-2006
i had downloaded this shit it screws up ur comp and i was noy happy with the result
i dont think that whatever changes it makes r that of vista
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Mike said 2:12PM on 9-25-2006
Darn. I installed it here on my machine at work, but I don't think it worked properly. Other than some icons changing (my documents, my computer, show desktop) and the Glass2k (transparency) program running, nothing changed. I did catch some bugs (when I clicked on a folder in Windows Explorer, nothing would happen). I bet my company has admin stuff running that prevented the program from installing correctly. I may try it at home, because the screenshots really do look awesome.
But I was sweating bullets during the install process.
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Marty said 2:15PM on 9-25-2006
I installed it and it made my comp run a tad bit slower, so I uninstalled it. After doing so, my icons didn't go back to normal, so I had to use TweakUI to restore them. Nothing major happened though...
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Andrew Moreau said 9:01PM on 11-22-2006
I Think Windows Vista is crappy cuz of the enhanced wga program but all other features are great including the programs and visual interfaces. i have vista os upgade on my site check it out...
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Andrew Moreau said 8:42PM on 11-22-2006
My friend and i are working with the software at windowsxshrine.net and we r makin vtp6.0 it will have the latest bug fixes some vista software and enhance patches for those using xp x64
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