WinXP --to--> Vista

**Hairbautt** · 11-15-2006, 12:33 AM

Are you crazy about the new Vista look? Want to turn your babygoober styled XP into the new ultra-cool-ass Vista?

***02/06/07 JoeJoe.biz Downloads section got revised, all links refer you to the general download section, just copy&paste the title in their search box.

Here's some tips and sources...! F.Y.I. Stay AWAY from Vista Customization Packs!

By the way, I don't suffer from any resource hogs - additional stuff like the flip3d task switcher will hog more mem, but WindowsBlind (WB) really doesn't sap anything from me (2.52 Ghz, 1 GB RAM, 6600GT).

I. Materials.
a. WindowsBlinds v5.1 (Latest) $19.95
http://www.stardock.com/downloads/
b. StylerToolbar v1.40
http://www.joejoe.biz/ (Broke Link, Use Search@JoeJoe's)
c. Vista Icon Pack v3 (Safe, install in SAFE MODE)
http://www.vistaiconpack.com/
-Do NOT select WMP11 Skin if you have final, bootskin sucks, logon sucks too, mouse cursors never work

Icons & Drive Icons are GREAT tho'!

Don't forget LogonUIs or bootscreens. No theme is complete without one.

II. Skins - The tricky part.
Everyone's tastes are different. In WindowsBlinds you can use "User Overrides" to change themes. For example, You're using a theme, but the taskbar skin of it sucks. You can grab another skin whose taskbar skin doesn't suck and override it to use that one instead. Same works for ShellStyle.

Favorite skins (Some require LS-Patch for shutdown/Logon text) See below:
a. Jemaho's Vista 2.4 - 2.3 Refresh
http://www.joejoe.biz/ (Broke Link, Use Search@JoeJoe's)
b. Ironjer's AeroGlassV5 "The Remix III"
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37703954/
c. Kayeirene's VistaPerfection X4 RCX
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42710127/
d. Flahorn's Jadaero 1.3
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/46622486/
e. Plenty of more out there! (See bottom for links to host/resource sites)

Bootskins (requires programs like Tuneup to SAFELY apply)
http://www.joejoe.biz/ (Broke Link, Use Search@JoeJoe's) & also on DeviantART.

Icon Skins/Packages - Basically, theres two types. Themes & System Patches
1.) Themes for programs such as:
a. Icontweaker
http://joost.endoria.net/home
b. Iconpackager $14.95
http://www.stardock.com/products/iconpackager/
c. TuneUp Utilities 2007 (With Styler 2)! $39.99
http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/

2.) Then theres SYSTEM PATCHES
a. Vista Icon Package3 is the only TRUE option. (ITS SAFE)
http://www.vistaiconpack.com/
Others...well, there fark up your computer. Not worth mentioning as some colleages of mine found out.

The folks who created this Kudesnick, Aero Live™ and Th3N@tive hangout at JoeJoe.org.

*In explorer (any open window except IE) you can go to 'Tools' in the menu bar--->select 'folder options'--->select 'file types' tab--->Here you can change icons for certain file extensions.--->Select an extension (*.rar) and click the 'Advanced' button--->'Change Icon' and select whatever icon file.

LogonUI's - Seriously, some suck.

http://www.joejoe.biz/ (Broke Link, Use Search@JoeJoe's)
& also on DeviantART.

Mouse Cursors - Forget Stardock's CursorXP just drop in Windows/cursor folder.
a. K-Net's Semi-transparent Cursors
b. Boboy2u's Windows Vista Build 5456 Aero Cursors
c. JoeJoe's Vista Build 5456 Cursors
d. Hiusak's Vista 5492 Inspired Cursors & HighSpin V2.1

***(Broke Links^, Use Search@JoeJoe's)***

Vista Sidebar - Huge grab for this...find at JoeJoe.org. Afraid I don't have a purpose for it, so I'm not too sure about it.
Vista Sidebar @JoeJoe

Office 2007 Icons - Update that old Office 2000's icons to the new cool ones.
http://www.joejoe.biz/ (Broke Link, Use Search@JoeJoe's)
or just unique ones...
http://www.joejoe.biz/ (Broke Link, Use Search@JoeJoe's)

--

III. Additional Software
a. Systray RC1 Icons (I use, comes with Replacer)
http://www.joejoe.biz/ (Broke Link, Use Search@JoeJoe's)
b. Visual Tooltips (I don't use)
Search...
c. Vista Games (I have problems with MineSweeper)
http://www.joejoe.biz/ (Broke Link, Use Search@JoeJoe's); Check torrents as well.
d. TopDesk (For cool flip3D task switcher ALT+TAB) $14.95

http://www.otakusoftware.com/topdesk/
e. LS-Patch (This SAFELY removes the Logon/Shutoff text in your start menu - for WinXP English Only!) Usually comes with skin, if need be.
f. WindowsFX (buggy, interfere's with WB) $19.95
http://www.stardock.com/products/windowfx/
g. L-Clock (Cool, longhorn style clock with skins for XP & Vista)
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=157465
h. MSN Messenger aka Windows Live Messenger 8 Skin FINAL by Blue Eyes & Stianu89 (Really incredible)
http://www.joejoe.biz/ (Broke Link, Use Search@JoeJoe's)
i. AveDesk (Neat program for customizing your desktop, worth a look, but uses some resources)
http://www.avedesk.org/

Remember there are custom sound packs, wallpapers, and themes for other progs like WinRAR. (Great Wallpapers, too!).

Just search these sites for additional resources:
http://www.aeroxp.org/ (Maybe not so much...)
http://www.crystalxp.net/ (Good for icons, also has Vista Inspirat Bricopack)
*http://www.joejoe.org/ (Everything)
*http://www.deviantart.com/ (Everything, Styler, WB skins)
http://wincustomize.com/Index.aspx (Never use personally)
http://www.customxp.net/images/PngFactory/ (Icons)
http://converticon.com/ (Helps convert downloaded *.pngs to icons)

Screenies of my past Vista theme machine as well as my current:

***My Styler bar is custom for Flahorn, for my personal use only since I have no permissions.

I can still answer questions and such, but school really ties me up.

PM, if you like. I can offer unofficial Vista sounds including unique ones for minimizing/maximizing windows (cool) along with ripped logon/logoff sounds that were I guess cut or something. I also, just have unique logons that I can't ever find anymore...I need to get a screen of that up sometime...

**backlash** · 11-15-2006, 01:37 AM

cool. I got the new solitaire. Wish they had freecell available to download, too.

**Hairbautt** · 11-15-2006, 01:43 AM

Uhhh...Wow, I thought they did have it, but you're right. I have the new freecell. I can send it to you if you want. Just PM me.

Or you might wanna check torrents.

**LilAznAccommodator** · 11-15-2006, 04:41 AM

Thanks HairBautt for all thsoe links as I use WindowBlinds with Ecliz theme but always looking for better

**snowultra** · 11-15-2006, 05:30 AM

thank you hairbautt

**Skiz** · 11-15-2006, 08:28 AM

A mod needs to put this Guides/Tuts.

**Hairbautt** · 11-15-2006, 06:50 PM

Thanks guys, I've added a bit more to it. I just got sick'n tired of XP's blue & silver so it took me a longtime to discover WB, and the whole idea of themes & what-not.

**LilAznAccommodator** · 11-15-2006, 07:24 PM

Hehe for Cursors, I stuck with CursorXP and found Ghost Might not be Vista but it sure does match it well in my opinion ^_^... If this is valid you can add to you post if wanted.