Spice up Windows XP (a little bit...) - Now with nifty screen-shots!
been using windows XP awhile? all those fancy new vista commercials and ads making your poor OS look a little dated?
there are some solutions for you that don't require extra software or registry hacks. and... drum-roll please....
they're from Microsoft!
weird, eh? anyway, there are two themes available for windows XP that are not included in XP Home or Pro. one is the "Zune" theme, which is a black "noir" style theme that uses the official Zune color palette. the second one is the "Royale" theme, which can be found in the Media Center edition of XP.
so, if you want to make Old Lady XP look a little younger, slap one of these themes on 'er and enjoy!
okay, as per some requests, i've uploaded some screen-shots to Flickr. so, if you want to know what Royale and Zune look like before you install:
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SlyRaskal on Aug 01, 2007
Installed the Zune theme a little bit ago on my laptop. I kinda like it. Thanks.
Steax on Aug 01, 2007
I like to vista-warp my desktop a lot... I've spent quite some time chasing after different software across the net, gathering stuff for my perfect vista-ish experience. None of the packs do it right.
Those two themes are well worth owning, too. =)
Uberz on Aug 01, 2007
Thanx louiemctool! I installed the Zune theme and I like it!
shrishaster on Aug 01, 2007
thanks a lot
beneton on Aug 01, 2007
downloaded and love them both! any other vista-like theme suggestions? ;D
louiemctool on Aug 01, 2007
there is another "noir" theme, very similar to the "Royale" theme (i think they shall a common ancestor) out there somewhere, but if i remember correctly, it's "unfinished," meaning you might get some weird artifacts if you install it.
from what i remember, MS originally was going to offer more themes for XP, but wound up canceling those projects in favor of focusing on Vista.
i can track it down if someone's interested. i just like these two themes because they're finished and don't require registry hacks...
:)
janice on Aug 01, 2007
screenshots?
janmaru on Aug 01, 2007
themes are fine... but it's a common issue that they will affect your system and slow you down...
@beneton: try this fantasy
louiemctool on Aug 01, 2007
@janmaru: how so? these are NOT windowblinds "skins," they are simply "theme" files. they are simply added the list of available themes, within the display properties.
perhaps it would make more sense if i called them "visual styles"?
:)
louiemctool on Aug 01, 2007
@ janice: give me a little bit. i'll post some screen shots and add the links to the top of the thread...
:)
louiemctool on Aug 01, 2007
@all - better?
:)
janmaru on Aug 01, 2007
@louiemctool: it's a matter of fact that the first Tweak to improve your XP is to replace the default XP theme with the classic Windows 2000 theme by disabling all of XP's fancy visual effects.
IEatHamburgers on Aug 01, 2007
@janmaru: You do realize that you're preaching to the choir, right? This is IconBuffet, a *design* site. I think people here would rather have an operating system that looks pretty and more user-friendly than save the half megabyte of RAM you save switching to classic.
Granted, I use Vista on my home pc with Aero, which is another performance story entirely.
janmaru on Aug 01, 2007
@IEatHamburgers: in fact I suggested a theme myself and... oops, I don't eat hamburgers, I'm veggan!!!!
IEatHamburgers on Aug 01, 2007
@janmaru: You do know that it's been proven in some studies that vegans have much lower life expectancies than any other dietary choice, including heavy meat eaters?
louiemctool on Aug 01, 2007
@janmaru: ok, i get what you meant, now. no hard feelings?
:)
janmaru on Aug 01, 2007
I'd rather choose lower life expectancies than a lower life...
but as you say: "This is IconBuffet, a *design* site." let's get over it!!! okkei?
cskimming on Aug 01, 2007
It's nice to see some properly finished themes. I must say, the darker Zune theme definitely appeals to me. Thanks for the links and shots.
louiemctool on Aug 10, 2007
marco
rajr19 on Aug 10, 2007
or you can just install windowblinds... and then buy it..
louiemctool on Aug 10, 2007
'cept that windowsblinds will slow your system down, as it is an application running on top of windows explorer. these themes, on the other hand, are simply visual styles applied to the windows explorer interface...
:)
rajr19 on Aug 10, 2007
true true - i said windowblinds due to its customization :)
louiemctool on Aug 10, 2007
yeah. i tried wb once upon a time. it was okay...
the point of this post was that you could change XP a little without hacking anything. wb is a big-time hack...
:)
rajr19 on Aug 10, 2007
heres a screenshot of my desktop (with windowblinds and custom wallpaper and iconpackager). stardock does wonders.
jameshilton on Aug 11, 2007
The Zune theme is great thanks.
MobiTec on Aug 11, 2007
If you are really Tired of WinXP, Then Spice it up with
Vista Transformation Pack It is a Full Blown Custom desktop..
Screenies - Screen 1 : Screen 2
I have used this on many occasions with great results..
rajr19 on Aug 11, 2007
i've heard the vista transformation pack screws up your comp real bad (can't remove it) - not sure if its the same one your linking to
louiemctool on Aug 11, 2007
like anything else that hacks your windows files, it CAN seriously screw up your computer. that being said, some people have had success installing and using it. i won't, simply because i program with this PC, and i hate backing up more than i have to...
again, i posted these themes because they are completely benign. no hacks. no extra software. just visual styles and some background images...
:)
louiemctool on Feb 08, 2008
:|
thedudedean on Feb 08, 2008
I like the Zune Theme.
misterhaan on Feb 08, 2008
i’ve been using the zune theme at work (where i have xp) for a few months now — it’s much better than the default luna themes. at home i don’t run xp so it doesn’t matter much there.
VINZ on Feb 08, 2008
Thanks louiemctool! i don't use hacks too for the same reasons and i was really fed up of the playskool style ;)
B3llit0 on Aug 30, 2008
Or you could just get a Mac. Looks better, and it works better too!
anti on Aug 30, 2008
no thanks.
SawanM
on Aug 30, 2008
Erm... huge bump?
emanaton on Aug 30, 2008
Would it be wrong of me to volunteer that I use the "Plastik" theme, but that I really like the "Karamik" series as well as "Desert Red" and "Blue Slate", but that really ALL of the KDE themes are nice?... Did I mention I'm using Kubuntu? Oh - and if you REALLY miss the look and feel of Windows, you can choose one of the "Redmond" themes ("95", "2000", or "XP") and choose the "Windows Scheme" for your keyboard shortcut! .... yeah - that would probably be wrong of me... I'll just resist mentioning it...
Emanaton dot com
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lobotomia on Aug 30, 2008
Thanks Louie! Nice tip and I liked Zune theme :)
louiemctool on Aug 31, 2008
i aim to please.
'course, my aim sucks...
:D