UPDATE: New version 2.0 released with lots of GUI fixes and improvements.
We all know that Windows 8 is under development and lots of screenshots and details have been leaked which can be found in our "Windows 8" section.
It comes with new Start Screen, Aero Lite theme, User Picture Tile in System Tray, new boot screen, login screen, etc.
If you are still using Windows XP but want to enjoy Windows 8 look and feel, here is something interesting for you which will make your XP look-like Windows 8:
So without wasting time, here are the simple steps to follow:
STEP 1: First install our SevenVG theme which will provide Windows 8 interface in XP. Windows 8 look is very much similar to Windows 7 atm:
Download SevenVG RTM Theme for Windows XP
STEP 2: Now download "Windows 8 M3 Starter Kit" created by our DA friend "PeterRollar":
This kit contains following things:
- Windows 8 Border Skin
- Styler Skin to provide Windows 8 look-like Ribbon
- TClock Light
- ViStart Windows 8 Skin
- Right-side Common Tasks Shellstyle file
You just need to follow these simple steps to apply above mentioned things easily and quickly:
1. First run "BorderSkin.exe" file included in the kit and deselect "Enable Explorer skinning" option and change color to "Clear" in its Options menu. It'll provide glass border in Windows Explorer window.
2. Now run "ViStart.exe" file present in the kit and it'll install Windows 8 look-like start menu in XP.
3. Now install Styler and apply the "Ribbon" styler skin included in the kit. To learn how to use Styler, please visit following tutorial:
How to Install and Apply Styler Toolbar Skin in Windows XP Explorer?
It'll provide Ribbon UI in Explorer.
4. Now if you want Common Tasks (Details Pane) in right-side of Explorer window, you can use "shellstyle.dll" file included in the kit.
Just copy the "shellstyle.dll" file, open "Windows\Resources\Themes\SevenVG RTM" folder (If you are using SevenVG RTM theme), go to "Shell\NormalColor" folder and paste the file here. There will be another "shellstyle.dll" file present in the folder, rename the existing file.
5. To enjoy Windows 8 look-like Clock in system tray, run "tclock.exe" file present in the kit.
STEP 3: Install Windows 8 login screen for XP using following link:
Download Windows 8 Milestone 3 Metro Style Login Screen for Windows XP
STEP 4: You can also visit following tutorial to apply SevenVG icon pack, cursors, iconized Taskbar, Sidebar, Progress dialog box, shutdown dialog box, System Properties, Aero Shake, Aero Snap, Aero Peek, Calculator, Paint, Context menu, Drive status bar, etc:
Transform Windows XP into Windows 7 without using Customization Pack
This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows XP, Windows XP Themes.
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yethz
thanks vg for keeping my xp alive..
Great job here.
UPSET
FIRST OF ALL, WHO WOULD WASTE TIME MAKING XP LOOK LIKE WINDOWS 8!??! AND SECOND OF ALL WHAT HAPPENED TO EASTER VG!??!?!
VG
^^ Can you please let me know in details what do you want to say about Easter? Its your 2nd comment about it. I'm sorry but I cant understand what do you want to mention.
Netzu
wow! thank you for this one VG!! ^_^
CeeBee
will my laptop take a performance hit from this?
CeeBee
will my laptop take a performance hit from this?
macpro622776
These screenshots look like they are on Windows 7. Are we sure it works on XP?
VG
^^ No. The screenshots are from XP.
@CeeBee
Not at all.
nestor
ViStart.exe error.. =( no se por que..
death
he he he for windows xp only ;-)