How to make XP look like Vista for free
Not ready to take the plunge into Vista land but still find yourself wanting the cool new Aero Glass UI that all versions of Vista feature, except Basic edition? Contained below is some free software that will convert the look and feel of XP into Vista (more or less) for free. Keep in mind that you will still need sufficient hardware to run the advanced effects, meaning at least 1GB of memory (RAM) and a dedicated graphics card with at least 128MB of memory.
I’m going to start with Vystal Vivid which is compatible with Windows 2000, XP or Vista Basic and will bring the Aero Glass style UI to any of those operating systems.
Vista has Thumbnail previews on any minimized program so you can see what’s going on without actually opening the window so you will need to get Visual Task tips to bring that functionality to Windows XP. In order to run Visual Task tips you will need to be running the default Windows XP theme or a Vista theme to use it, classic themes are not supported by this program.
That takes care of most of the UI stuff but Vista also has the Flip 3D task switcher so to get that for XP head on over to the Shock Aero site and download their program. Shock Aero features both a Flip 3D mode and Macintosh Style task switching mode (see site for screenshots).
Lastly and this is totally optional, Transbar is a utlity that will give you a transparent taskbar. Although the taskbar is transparent in Vista, it is only transparent when open windows are not maximized.
These programs were discovered by David A. Karp and appear in an article in the October 16, 2007 issue of PC Magazine. Get them while you can because I don’t think Microsoft will stand for this very long but considering it has just extended the life of XP, it might have to allow some give and take here and there.
Then again, there are those who think XP looks fine just like it is, I can name one person I know that feels that way, others aren’t sure or just simply “put up with” Vista.
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October 21st, 2007
[...] If you decide to pass over Vista and go the XP route but like the Vista interface, read our article “How to make XP look like Vista for free.” [...]
October 25th, 2007
hyeee i willllllllllllll convert my xp into vista
November 11th, 2007
hi
November 28th, 2007
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April 1st, 2008
nigaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazzzzzzzzzzzz
June 9th, 2008
jus buy daa god damm real vershan u chep skate cheating sniving worm
July 25th, 2008
meh
August 27th, 2008
how about Vystal Vivid vs vista tranformation pack? who the best?
September 14th, 2008
hyeee i willllllllllllll convert my xp into vista
November 18th, 2008
all noobs replying here lolz
February 10th, 2009
What the hell are U newbs talking about? GO out and just buy vista, yupp your the retard that will have a paperweight for a computer. Vista sux ass, and if U knew anything about computers U would know to stay away from it. It’s so damn demanding on your hardware. Let’s see, go out and buy the pos Vista, or use the same ol XP and make it look like vista without screwing up your computer. XP look alike uses less then half the resources that vista uses. Why wouldn’t U do this if the only thing that attracted U to vista was looks. Your an idiot. Come on guys. U don’t have to make your XP look like Vista but be the bigger man, BUY XP and use your Vista DVD as a coaster so U don’t get coffee on your new computer desk.
February 10th, 2009
What the hell are U newbs talking about? GO out and just buy vista, yupp your the retard that will have a paperweight for a computer. Vista sux ass, and if U knew anything about computers U would know to stay away from it. It’s so damn demanding on your hardware. Let’s see, go out and buy the pos Vista, or use the same ol XP and make it look like vista without screwing up your computer. XP look alike uses less then half the resources that vista uses. Why wouldn’t U do this if the only thing that attracted U to vista was looks. Your an idiot. Come on guys. U don’t have to make your XP look like Vista but be the bigger man, BUY XP and use your Vista DVD as a coaster so U don’t get coffee on your new computer desk. 420
March 29th, 2009
Thanks for this great article. In addition, the best other guides for Windows XP to Windows Vista and Windows 7 Transformation i’ve ever known on WinMatrix for every Windows XP user (thanks to amirz):
http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20480
and
http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21246
You can find and download many cool stuffs + even some port apps and guides/links there to totally transform and enhance XP like Windows Vista and or Windows 7 for free, in both GUI and feature/function! Just FYI. Thanks.
Long live XP!