Are you using Windows XP but prefer the Firefox 3 theme for Vista, or vice versa? Unfortunately Mozilla decided that Windows users shouldn’t be given the option between the two themes, but it was only a matter of time before someone duplicated them for everyone to use. As you can see above I’m running Windows XP, but Firefox 3 has the Vista theme enabled.
To do this yourself all you have to do is download the respective theme that you want to use:
- Vista on XP: Makes Firefox 3 running on Windows XP use the Vista theme.
- XP on Vista: Makes Firefox 3 running on Vista use the Windows XP theme.
I haven’t tried these themes on other operating systems (such as Linux), but I suspect that they will work on any OS just as any normal theme would. Report back in the comments if you decide to try these out on other operating systems. Update: Malinthe confirmed in the comments below that these themes work in Kubuntu Linux.
Both of the themes are still experimental, which means you’ll need to login to the Mozilla site before being able to install them. If you don’t have a login you can use a generic login that I’ve created over at Mozilla:
- Username: firefox@cybernetnews.com
- Password: cybernetnews
UPDATE: Both themes are now public, and don’t require any login.
Feel free to also mention your favorite Firefox 3 theme in the comments, and if you’re using a Mac don’t forget to sneak a peek the Safari-like themes available.
I can see you are always on top of things Ryan. Yes, this theme is pretty nice, but my favorite FF3 theme so far is PitchDark for FX [thebankshow.com]
I was not sure I would like the dark theme at first, but really like it now and it matched the Royal Noir theme I use in Windows.
Ryan, tried to install Vista on XP, but had a problem. This is the message I got on my screen:
“Firefox could not install the file because: invalid file hash (possible download corruption) -261″
Tried ‘Vista on XP’ on Kubuntu. Works Great
It even fixes the KDE/Firefox ugliness. Text disappears on the menubar when hovering though. Not much of a problem.
LOL…nice tip.
Wait a minute Ryan… that’s not a genuine Windows XP screenshot. That’s Vista’s “XP Silver” theme!
same error message: cannot install invalid file hash possible download corruption
Wow, that is pretty dark! That would definitely take some getting used to.
I’ve had that happen from time to time. Try these tips:
[kb.mozillazine.org]
Thanks for the heads up! I’ll update the article to say that it works.
Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. I guess we’ll never know.
Well, the gray background for the toolbars is kinda a giveaway that it’s XP and not Vista. Vista’s toolbar color is a little more purplish.
It is not XP. I can tell because the ‘X’ button doesn’t look exactly the same as in the original XP Silver theme. Or perhaps it’s just Windows XP with other display settings.
Oh, no, I just shrunk the close/maximize/minimize buttons down because they are way too large by default. You can do that by going into the advanced display settings, clicking on the buttons in the “mock picture”, and then changing their size. That’s one of the first things I’ve always done after installing XP ever since it was released.
Switched to the XP theme. Liked the Green buttons plus having the yellow roof on the home button.
Tried it today and got it right. Now I have both the XP and the Vista Firefox 3 default themes to suit my Windows moods.
Thanks for the tip.