Vista Transformation Pack 4.0 was just released and it does a great job of giving your XP machine the Vista look. In December last year Windows Blinds released a new version of their software that was designed to provide Windows XP with transparent effects, however, it wasn’t free. That is where the Vista Transformation Pack comes into play. It is free and does a great job of giving my machine a look similar to Vista. It doesn’t have the powerful transparency effects for every window (as seen on the window to the right in the screenshot above) but does have enough transparency to make me happy. The greatest thing is that it is free!
It does have uninstallation options in case you decide you want to get rid of it, so there really isn’t anything to lose. However, when you install the software it has to overwrite some system files (it modifies things like the boot screen) so Windows will prompt you stating that your system files have been changed. It will ask whether you want to change them back or leave them, so just leave them if you want the system to function properly.
The software is also nice because it allows you to choose what you want it to change. If you don’t want it to alter the boot screen then you just have to uncheck the “Boot Screen” box during installation (the boot screen is kinda ugly, see the screenshots link below). This is a very nice piece of software.
Update: Here are the steps you need to take to adjust the transparency of the windows:
- Right-click on the Glass2K icon in your system tray and select “Settings”. Now check to see what your keyboard shortcut is (I changed mine to be Ctrl + Shift).
- Open the window that you want to adjust the transparency of, like Windows Explorer or Notepad for example.
- Use the shortcut above in conjunction with a 0-9 number key. 0 means you want no transparency where 9 means you want the most transparency. If I wanted a window with no transparency I would press Ctrl+Shift+0.
- That’s all! I don’t believe there is a way you can do this for every application at one time so you will have to perform this for each application individually.
Download The Vista Transformation Pack (14.61MB via RapidShare)
Nice Screenshots
Forum Discussion
| Update: |
There is a newer version of the Vista Transformation Pack available here.
|
| Update 2: |
The newest WindowBlinds, version 6, will be making XP look eve more like Vista. While it does cost a little money the big benefit is that it supports blurring much like Vista’s Aero.
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That rapidshare site is impossible to download off. What a crap site.
nice pack! spanks
Do these effects noticably slow the system down at all?
DOOD!!!
THis is AWESOME!!!…looks cool, and i have dual monitors with 3 taskbars…cool icons and has a sleek look to everything…you’ll see and kind-of transparent too…
Sweetness! I’m downloading it right now. And here’s a premium link for people to use for the next 24 hours:
[dl28cg.rapidshare.de]
Hey,
and i really want this cause my trial version of windows blinds is bout to run out…
I can’t download from rapidshare
Does this slow down your system at all?
I don’t think it should…
I am glad everyone is enjoying it. This didn’t slow down my system at all so I think most people should be okay. If anyone experiences any issues please post them here so others can watch for them. Thanks!
-Ryan
I uninstalled the theme and my XP themes vanished. What do I need to do to get them back?
all i can say is WOW…this is just what i was waiting for, i love the look of Vista, but i didnt want to wait so long for it to come out, or to spend that kind of money on it…you guys are great, and i thank u very much for devoting ur time into this.
Jason,
You can either try doing a system restore of you can follow [jcxp.net] to put the theme back. It is the last post on that page that you need to look at.
-Ryan
i installed this on my laptop (compaq) and desktop… one is xp home the other is pro… and it runs great…
GOOD JOB AND KUDOS…
KIDS… you wanna impress people not in the know, but who know what vista looks like. USE THIS…
Heres some download mirrors if you didnt grab it yet:
[majorgeeks.com]
Tim,
If you were going to copy my text you could have at least given credit.
-Ryan
I love this except for 1 problem.
Everything is so transparent. When I open up notepad or IE it is all clear, and I can’t see things that well.
So how can I make things less transparent, or is there no way?
(screenshots look great)
never mind to the post above. I figured it out.
Now I really truly love it. Great job
If you are having problems with rapidshare, go to the forum discussion, [jcxp.net]
If you are having problems with rapidshare, go to the forum discussion, [jcxp.net] and there are mirrors there.
Buy a Mac
Cool stuff mate
Dude, I deleted the .exe and the program is still there. How can I uninstall it and make EVERYTHING go away?
Vista’s Aero is 3D. This is not.
Waterface,
Did you try running the uninstaller from the Add/Remove Programs?
-Ryan
Hmm, I installed this, but the nice Glass black theme got rid of my ‘up a level’ button in explorer, and as I couldn’t get it back I uninstalled the pack. Still, it’s nice to see that the look isn’t that hard to achieve – just hope it can be made much more customiseable and not rely on changing as many Windows files next time.
Inferno_strike,
It got rid of my button too, but I went ahead and added it back on by right-clicking in Windows Explorer and selecting Customize.
-Ryan
after I installed it, all my firefox bookmarks disappeared aka got deleted! this happen to anybody else?
oh yea, I also tried system restore but it wouldnt work after I installed the theme. I love the look but after it deleted my firefox bookmarks…Im an unhappy camper :/
If you have Windows Media Player 11 installed. Will it mess it up?
Jason, I didn’t loose my bookmarks, but it did bump me from firefox 1.5.0.3 back to 1.5.0.1, strange…
actually, I use the Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer extension which automatically syncs my bookmarks from an external server every time I start firefox. I may have lost my bookmarks and just not noticed it. If you want to check out the extension, it’s here [addons.mozilla.org]
(i’m not connected with foxmarks other than as a satisfied user)
thanks kfonda for the tip, i’ll check it out. as for my version of firefox, its still the same…although Id rather have it roll back to a previous version then to loose my bookmarks :/
my mouse also disappeared a few times after install? this happen to anybody?
I gonne try it now.
Anyon eknow how to trun off the glass effect?
Yeah is it possible to adjust the glass/transparent effect?
anyone having problem with the bootscreen ? i have it in black and white.. instead of the colorful like the screenshot.. ??/
It is possible to adjust the transparency of a window.
First, right-click on the Glass2K icon in your system tray and select “Settings”. Check to see what your keyboard shortcut is (I changed mine to be Ctrl + Shift).
Next, open the window that you want to adjust the transparency of, like Windows Explorer or Notepad for example.
Now use the shortcut above in conjunction with a 0-9 number key. 0 means you want no transparency where 9 means you want the most transparency.
I don’t believe there is a way you can do this for every application so you will have to perform this for each application.
-Ryan
Aaargh!!!
Where’s everything? I wanted to experience the new Vista style on my Xp machine, read carefully every piece of instructions, warnings and advertisings… Launched the installer under the “Safety mode” and did the installation… and now everything disappeared and nothing works…
What the…
I don’t know what would have happened to you, but you could try performing a system restore to get your computer back to before you installed the Vista Transformation Pack.
-Ryan
can i still access the original XP theme and run the vista theme on 1 account and the XP theme on another.
This freeware is great!! No problem with Firefox or any programs that I have been using.I did not lose any bookmarks. Great looking icons and wallpapers too.
I just installed the program after exiting all other programs running then after the warning that it has to restart I press OK. After it starts everything is just fine.
However the icons in Windows Explorer lost most of its icons. I did reset the icons using right click to access the customize folder. Then I rearranged the menu because the File/Edit menu is under the icons and address box. Same with Internet Explorer you have to reset the icons so that everything is back to how it was.
I rather stick with my KDE box on linux. MS is trying to create some eye-candy, but IMHO it’s useless.. Boring, and I’m tired after 15 minutes of testing Vista beta 2. M$ has not left to do for itself, just doing some “unneeded” design work.. Anyway, great job guys, I think everyone appreciate your work
And by the way, just to compare newly released SUSE Linux 10.1’s 3D features, take look at here:
[madpenguin.org]
Thanks for the tip on SUSE 10.1, I have been using SUSE 10.0 for quite some time now and I should probably upgrade. I guess that gives me reason to!
-Ryan
Latest SUSE and Ubuntu Linux come with Xgl …far more exciting!
Google Video for XGL and stare at your monitor
It just looks like Linux now.
it’s just CRAP
this is really good!! but, if you really want to impress your friends, try Xgl in linux, openSuse, Ubuntu, etc..
If you don’t have windows blinds 5 can you use Vitrite [home.insightbb.com]~ryanvm/tinyutilities/vitrite/ For transparency? Instead of glass2k.
Yeah..it’s probably short of what Apple Tiger
has been for over a year. It’s Windows…Vista SP1 is likely already in progress.
To make this even better. I installed Visual Task tips like on the real vista. Check it out here [visualtasktips.com] . It allows the mini webpage mouse over effect in the toolbar.
there is something about the fint i dont like. the text maybe. its not consistant. so im wondering if its a cleartext problem?
im speaking of the font “segoe ui” anyone else notice this?
Yeah, that “segoe ui” font got annoying so I changed to Tahoma.
-Ryan
Okay this program is “okay” but when I decided to uninstall it , for some reason it didnt like that. It took me a good hour and aa half to repair the mess it made. I know I know, at my own risk, but that doesnt mean I cant pass along what i went through.
When I ran an unistall, i followed the instructions carefully, and what happened is it removed my taskbar all together. My only way to resolve it was to spend an assload of time reinstalling it and unistalling it until it finally gave it back, and dont try a system restore if you have issues, that wont work. I tried this because Windows blinds gives me issues also. and i have a FRESH install of XP Pro.
amd 64 3200+
2 gigs of ram
geforce 6800GT with 82.41 drivers and latest directx
pshaa…….
does anyone remember of the website under installation? the official website?
Installed it, didn’t like it.. Uninstalled it now all that’s left is the Windows Classic Style theme.. I want my XP theme back. And I can’t do a system restore because its disabled.
My icons are all messed up now too.. Some are missing, some are XP style, and some are Vista style.
Mark, i went through the exact same problem. the only way i was able to get my XP theme back was to reinstall this program, and make sure when you UNINSTALL in you ENABLE visual styles.
I feel VERY fortunate to get my system back.
boneyard,
Thanks for pointing that tip out.
-Ryan
If you’ve uninstalled, disabled themes and want them back, go to your Start Menu, Programs, Administrative Tools (please say you have this enabled), Services. Look for one called ‘Themes’ Set it to Automatic and Start it. Job done.
Thanks for the help. Any ideas how to get my missing icons back too?
I use IconPackager, so I’ve not seen any icon difficulties. You can download that for free [stardock.com] and that can reset your Windows Icons for you. Then uninstall it and all should be fine.
its not that cool, ok though
but i must say blinds got much better looks i guess… it looks just the same only difference is the boot and the log on screen. so its pritty much the same things.
Inferno_strike,
Thanks for all of the insight into uninstalling the software. I have had no need to uninstall it yet so I wasn’t sure on the details.
-Ryan
Great software pack! Would you have a graphic you would like me to display on my site? The only thing I have found so far that I do not like is the Vista Logo on the start menu is not a complete circle, it’s cut off on the top. Other than that *****. BUT, I have only run it for about 1/2 hour. Check out my site, I have some great software on it!
Everything worked just fine. Thanks, great job
There is no pleasing some people [as Jesus said!], but this is great, flawless installation [if you follow the instructions and read!]
Everything works fine
Hi Mr. X! You’ve created an excellent package. Booted my machine into safemode and installed. Everything works like a charm and it looks beautiful. Thank You very much for this, I’m just loving it! I give you 10/10.
Hi !! I installed this thing hoping to have a new, fresh look, but, my (other) Pc doesn’t show anything after logging in my account.
Even in the safe mode nothing is loaded. The Pc completely stops working an no icon and no taskbar appeares. I cannot even start the restore system. I need some alternativ. Can someone help me ??
We haven’t heard of that issue yet. Is it possible that you had another theme manager installed?
-Ryan
Hey Ryan how do i get my task bar at the bottom of the screen to look like the Vista one? It still looks normal.
Acutally, most of my UI looks the exact same. The windows kinda look like glass, but the icons at the top of the window still look the same from XP, i want them to look like Vista one.
So i guess what im asking is, how do i make my task bar look “vistay” and how do i make the icons for closing and mimizing my screen look “vistay”?
Eumh, not really, but I am sure that the programs are running, it is just that I cannot see icons but windows like crtl-alt-delete etc. So my question how can I start restore system by pressing buttons ?
I thought of opening it by the command-thing. But does it exist a key to acces the command and what code must I enter to launch the restore system ???
Daniel,
You could try and reinstalling the Transformation Pack again to see if the icon manager software gets installed properly, there could have been some issue with it.
Yggdrasil,
Unfortunately I do not know a system command that will get you to the System Restore, anyone else have any ideas to get to the System Restore?
-Ryan
Yup, it worked.
This is really cool Ryan, well done.
If there is any grip i have with it, its that the windows start button is kinda cut off at the top, but thats alright.
Very cool!
Okay Ryan, one more question:
The new windows media skin is very cool, however on the right side of it, it is kinda cut off.
I run at 800 by 600 resolution.
My “My Pictures” folder is crashing every time I open it after I’ve installed this transformation pack. Any body know why?
I do not have that issue with the “My Pictures”, can anyone reproduce it?
-Ryan
You’re a a genius pal !!!! thanks for all those download links !!!! ;D you rule ryan !!!!!!!!! woo hoo !!!!!!!! ;D
well aside from being genius,,, u’re a cutie too !!! LOL !!! thanks dude for those cool links ! ;D
Thanks a lot for this software! I really like it!
The only issue I have is with multiple users. I installed under my account, and the other two accounts on my computer still have the old Windows XP theme. Anyone else run across this. Any Ideas on how to fix?
Thanks.
How about installing it under each account?
-Ryan
i wanna my xp madgine 2 look like vista
Good try but too much bugs to be fixed. Good luck.
Interesting. I can only change the transparency but absolutely nothing else has changed to look like Vista? Is this the whole program…Transparency Changes?
During the install, it did ask for my original XP CD when it could not copy something. Perhaps that is why the only thing different is my ability to change the transparency of pages?
No, the only thing that you can really change is the transparency. If you go to the uninstaller you can choose bits and pieces to uninstall without having to give up everything.
-Ryan
hey guys thx for that thing ( im a noob haha )
just installed it and i need help with the clock
i did sumthing and kinda killed it
now i got the old boring xp clock
how to turn it back ?
Does this work with x64?
@Yggdrasil, try control-alt-delete,applications,new task,%SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
(%sysetmroot% is usually C:\WINDOWS)
that should work
AHHH, I dont know what to do!!! I installed this a week or two ago and everything was fine, but now after my last reboot the login screen only shows two users and neither or their passwords work so I am locked out. I badly need help.
This software does not affect logins. Have you tried to boot into safe mode to see if that works?
-Ryan
hello all,
thank you all for the info.
but could somebody please tell me about the minimum system requirements for trying this out?
i have 80 GB hard disk,Pentium IV 1.7 GHZ,96 MB RAM running on windows XP service pack 2.
and do i require a graphics card?
thnk you in advance for your replies.
To the poster above me,
Every computer I think has a graphics card. Because thats what the monitor plugs into. And this should work for you only if you dont install glass2K. It uses up alot of system memory and you dont have that much. So take a shot at it and see if it works. If it dosnt just uninstall.
TERRIBLE program!!!
I installed the free vista transformation pack and it was HORRIBLE! It changed boot screen, desktop icons, sounds, etc but NOT actual visual theme. The theme remained the XP default, even after multiple re-installation attempts.
Once I finally said screw it and uninstalled it, it still has the ugly vista boot screen, mouse pointer, and desktop icons. I used system restore which thankfully fixed everything BUT the strange looking desktop and start menu icons. Fortunately, Tweak UI powertoys made repairing these child’s play.
Thank god for system restore and tweak ui, good apps fix the bad apps horrible, horrible mistakes
after installing this windows xp thinks its vista and brings up a dialogue box on start up to say that i am running a non genuine copy of vista with two options, 1 to register copy and 2 to get more info, wierd huh! both options continue to load windows as normal.
also when viewing pictures as a film strip the thumbnails at the bottom are mostly cut off, a little annoying i guess.
when i uninstalled the vista transformation pack, the icon of my local disk was lost. how will i restore it?
Many people experience problems like that but you might be able to right-click on the icon and go to properties to change it. Hopefully that works.
works great – awesome looks and no performance hit that I can measure. I will keep it. Use with Yahoo Widgets for a look in some ways better than Vista.
PROBLEMS – Ctrl P and Ctrl S have stopped working (somewhat of a big deal). Slideshow view in Picture Viewer clipped (no big deal)
Thanks
Maybe I’m strange but is there a way to make Vista look like XP?
Well, the beta version of WindowBlinds supports Vista…so you could probably find an XP theme for WindowBlinds at Wincustomize.com that should work.
If anybody has installed a version of Vista Transformation Pack and cant uninstall it, this is the fix. I got these steps through trial and error. Nothing else worked for me other than these steps in this order.
1. reinstall Vista Transformation Pack, but when Windows asks for the disk, insert it and replace the unrecognized file versions.
2. do a search for vista and delete all files except for system files (which you should modify by deleting the line that has vista in it) and a file with a name something like viconcopy.bat
3. Finally, go to the start menu and click on run, type regedit.exe into the box
4. go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrenTVersion\Explorer
and delete the key called driveicons
5. restart your computer and enjoy faster computer
Vista Transformation Pack takes up a lot of CPU and memory
I wonder which version of the transformation pack you used? Is it the version listed in this article or the newest version 6? I think the newest version is much more efficient.
> Maybe I’m strange but is there a way to make Vista look like XP?
You are not strange. I am forced to use Vista on one of my machines at work because I have to port software to Vista. However, I really want Vista to look like XP, too.