Get Windows 8 Look-Like Ribbon UI in Windows XP, Vista and 7 Explorer using Styler Skin

NOTE: Windows Vista and 7 users will need to run the Styler setup using Compatibility mode.

We know that Windows 8 comes with Ribbon UI in Windows Explorer.

We also shared a free tool “STDU Explorer” which is an alternative for Windows Explorer and provides Ribbon UI:

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STDU Explorer: Get Windows 8 Style Explorer with Ribbon UI in Windows XP, Vista and 7

But if you don’t want an alternative to Windows Explorer and want to add Windows 8 look-like Ribbon UI to Windows Explorer, here is an excellent way for you:

AskVG’s DA group member “PeterRollar” has created an excellent Styler skin which looks almost same as Windows 8 Explorer’s Ribbon UI.

You can use it in Windows XP, Vista and 7.

Windows_8_Ribbon_UI_XP_Explorer.png

HOW TO USE:

1. First download and install Styler software which is absolutely free:

Download Styler

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2. Now download the required Styler skin:

Download Styler Skin

3. Extract the ZIP file and follow the instructions given in following topic to apply the Styler skin:

How to Install and Apply Styler Toolbar Skin in Windows XP Explorer?

That’s it. After following the above mentioned steps, you’ll enjoy Windows 8 look-like Ribbon UI in Windows XP, Vista and 7 Explorer.

Published in: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Completed all steps and tried to switch to that skin. Nothing happened. Error appeared once on trying to switch to that skin that comes with the program itself.

    Windows 7 Starter. Any help, please?

  2. I cant install it, it was only for xp computers. The setup is in .msi, so I cant use compability mode in properties

  3. I am running Vista and tried to install the styler file but it keeps saying it will only work on XP. Its an msi file. I’ve been trying to get round it by converting it to an exe file so I can run it in compatibility mode (the msi file doesn’t give me the option to nor will it allow me to run the file as an administrator). Does anyone know how I can get round this or have a working exe version for Vista because the ribbon UI looks really good but I simply can’t use it.

  4. ^^ I’m getting Compatibility tab in STyler’s MSI file Properties in Windows 7 so it should be same in Vista as well.

  5. Such a shame it doesn’t work on 64-bit Win7… I’m using many of your “how to transform Windows 7 into Windows 8 without a transformation pack” guides, and the new File Explorer was one of my favourite things about Windows 8.
    Oh well, looks like I’ll have to wait until it comes out… then ignore all the Metro/”modern”-style apps. :-/

  6. Never mind, I tried compatibility mode, but I got an extremely weird error: s1168.beta.photobucket.com/user/poopsiedoodle707/media/Capture.png.html

  7. @VG. i installed styler using compatibility mode. but when i click on the icon to run it some error message is appearing, which can’t be read.

  8. doesn’t work in windows 7 because when I run the styler installer, it says it can only be installed with windows xp.

  9. man it worked it was not able to to work because the theme got corrupted while copying
    and nice work man, nice theme

  10. Hey VG, even after installing styler in compatibility mode, it doesn’t runs. after running in comparability mode it says style changer application has stopped working???

  11. ^^ Then nothing can be done. Since we are using an old software in compatibility mode, sometimes it may work and sometimes not. Which Windows are you using?

  12. STYLER IS A VIRUS!!! FIREFOX REPORTED WEB ATTACK MESSAGE! DON’T GET STYLER UNLESS YOU WANT TO KILL YOUR PC!

  13. ^^ Styler is a very well known customization software for Windows XP. The alert might be a false positive. You can use it without any worries.

  14. After I check Compability to Windows XP or Previous version of Windows, I run Styler and then it’s crash.

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