Transform Windows XP into Windows 8.1 without using Customization Pack

One of the most popular and special features of this blog is our exclusive “Windows Transformation Tutorial Series“. Whenever a new Windows version is released, we post tutorials to make previous Windows versions look like the new Windows version. These tutorials help you in transforming older versions of Windows into newer versions of Windows.

Some of out exclusive transformation tutorials can be read at following links:

The best thing about these tutorials is the complete control over Windows customization. We do everything manually without using any 3rd party customization pack so we know what we are going to do with our system. We change only those things which we want to change.

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3rd party transformation packs cause problems for many people, that’s why its always advisable to manually transform Windows.

Now Windows 8.1 free Public Preview is available for download which comes with many UI changes. So today in this tutorial, we are going to tell you how to transform Windows XP into Windows 8.1 without using any 3rd party customization pack.

If you are using Windows XP and want to make your Windows XP look-like Windows 8.1, this tutorial will definitely help you.

Following is a preview of the output which you are going to get after following this tutorial:

Windows_8_1_Transformation_Pack_Windows_XP.png

This tutorial will change or install following items in Windows XP:

  • Windows 8.1 theme for Windows XP
  • Windows 8.1 style blue borders in program windows
  • Ribbon UI in Windows Explorer
  • Windows 8.1 look-like Charms Bar
  • Windows 8.1 cursors
  • Windows 8.1 style Taskbar
  • Windows 8.1 boot screen
  • Windows 8.1 login screen
  • Windows 8.1 style dialog boxes
  • Windows 8.1 look-like System Properties and Personalization window
  • Windows 8.1 version info

So without wasting time lets start the tutorial:

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STEP 1: First of all download Windows 8.1 transformation kit created by our friend “PeterRollar” @ DA. All required files are stored in a RAR file given at following link:

Download Windows 8.1 Transformation Kit for Windows XP

The download link is given in right-sidebar of the above mentioned link. After downloading RAR file, extract it using 7-Zip or WinRAR and you’ll find a folder containing all the required stuff.

STEP 2: Now visit following article to learn how to use the stuff given in Windows 8.1 transformation kit:

How to Use Instructions

STEP 3: The downloaded kit doesn’t contain Windows 8.1 Boot Screen and Login Screen but you can download them separately using following links:

Download Windows 8.1 Boot Screen for Windows XP

Download Windows 8.1 Login Screen for Windows XP

That’s it. After following the above mentioned steps you should get Windows 8.1 look-like interface in Windows XP. Feel free to share your feedback in your comment…

Published in: Themes and Wallpapers, 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. @Bandhan There is no download link, because this theme is only meant to be used together with the other stuff.

  2. Hey VG, when are you writing a “Transform Windows 7 into Windows 8.1 without using Customization Pack” tutorial? I’m waiting…. ;-P

  3. ^^ No unless you install any 3rd party software. Changing theme, sound scheme, boot screen, login screen, etc doesnt make any difference in performance.

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