The Vista Transformation Pack 7 (Download Mirror) has been released! That’s right, the most popular skinning utility for Windows XP (and also Server 2003 now) has received an even better upgrade complete with a new Vista-like Start Menu. Here’s everything that’s new in VTP 7:
- Default system font option for recovery
- Docking support for preview and taskbar replacement
- DPI auto-detection in Machine Configuration
- Hiding menubar option for Vista (Styler) toolbar
- Information about KB925902 hotfix issues and solution on startup
- Memory requirements checking for 3rd-party applications
- Resetting DPI options and some extra information in Machine Configuration
- Screen resolution auto-detection
- Setting cleartype font automatically after the transformation
- Vista transformation "Express mode" (Make an appropriate setup configuration in single page!)
- ViStart (Vista Start Menu port for Windows XP/2003 with glass UI and search function)
- Uninstalling existing components before updating
- WindowBlinds detection warning message (for user who is mistaken about glass border skin)
- Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 uxtheme patching support
Besides for that there were also a bunch of fixes, including better support for uninstalling the Vista Transformation Pack. There is a small downside for everyone who only loved this program because it was 100% free. If you want the full "Aero" skinning (transparent borders, etc…) you’ll need to have WindowBlinds 5 Enhanced which costs $20 to buy. Luckily I already had the software on hand.
Just like before the installation process walks you through a lot of the different options you have to pick from. The whole process took a few minutes so make sure you set aside enough time to get it setup and configured:
Click any screenshot for full-size version:
Then after restarting the computer I was presented with a fresh-looking Windows XP. I have to admit that the new Start Menu with the integrated search adds a lot to the Vista Transformation Pack, and the Windows Explorer skin also looks pretty nice. Check out some of the screenshots that I took:
Click any screenshot for full-size version:
The only thing that I found it lacking was the breadcrumbs in Windows Explorer, and a blur effect on the border of the windows. Hopefully the blur effect will eventually be added with the help of FastAero which seems to be progressing nicely, and the newest version even lets you minimize the management window to the System Tray (thanks netster007x for the tip!).
So if you’re ready to dive in you’ll find the download link below, but remember, for the full skinning experience you’ll need to have WindowBlinds 5 Enhanced already installed.
Vista Transformation Pack 7 Homepage (Download Mirror)
| Update: |
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 looks amazing. i can barely even tell it’s still xp
yeah it was a very good application i used it since it’s version 2.0 ,, but now i use vista itself so no need for it now
How about system usage: memory, processor, startuptime etc
How the hell do they do that? Surely there must be a huge resources hit?
As for the resources it really isn’t that bad. Extra CPU usage and memory usage is negligable. And, somehow, my XP machine shuts down faster with it installed. I have no idea why, but it is at least 5 seconds faster.
I installed VTP6 and I like it! I tried installing VTP7 but it gives the alert about some KB…. hotfix. I followed the instructions at [crystalxp.net] but it still doesn’t work. It gives me the error alert then loads the site and closes. Then, I considered just uninstalling the hotfix but when I tried it in Add/Remove programs it said several programs may no longer function, many other hotfixes. If I uninstalled that hotfix, would I need to uninstall all future hotfixes? Has anyone else had trouble with this? I want VTP7
I don’t generally keep my XP machine up-to-date to I didn’t have the hotfix on it. I do remember seeing someone somewhere (sorry, I don’t remember where) that said they uninstalled the hotfix and the program installed perfectly. Maybe you should just create a restore point before you do anything just to be on the safe side.
Ur unread comments thing is getting buggy. I had to search for this article. It didn’t tell me u had commented. I have it set to watch for comments on articles I’ve commented on. I hit the track button, so it should work now, but I shouldn’t have to manually hit that (or that check box under the post field). I’ll probably try uninstalling.
It all depends on which method of unread comment tracking you’re using. Let me know which one your using and I can look into it.
“Track comments only on the articles I comment on.” Should the track new comments checkbox under the post field be checked? Sometimes it is checked automatically, but sometimes it’s not. I don’t like that box. There’s the button, that box, and the option. I’d say stick to the button and the option. And if I have the option, I shouldn’t need the button. Also, I just looked at the button. It’s not lit up (to signify tracking). Maybe it should automatically light up if you’re tracking that article’s comments by the option.
Also, I can’t get VTP7 to install. I downloaded and extracted it from your download mirror, but when I double-click it nothing happens. I uninstalled VTP6 and then tried, but still no luck
I’ll go ahead and try to reproduce the issue with the unread comments.
I’m not sure why VTP7 doesn’t do anything for you when you try to install it. Have you tried to download the version from the Windows X site to see if that one is any better?
I hope im not regreting this by using this…..if it doesnt work and mess up my computer then…im going to come back here and raise hell on all of ya!
I still can’t get VTP7 to work. I’ve posted on their support site, but so far nothing’s worked
I was finally able to install VTP7, thanks to a tip.
[windowsxlive.net]
The problem was Intel Graphics. Can’t get the Vista theme working right, though. The taskbar and windows remain XP Luna. ViStart and sidebar are up and running, but what I really want is the theme!
I believe that it did say you need to have WindowBlinds Enhanced installed though, which isn’t a free program. The new version of WindowBlinds (version 6) is going to be super sweet since it supports blurring on XP as well.
But that costs money
I thought there was a built in skin that just didn’t have good glass, you just needed windows blinds for the best experience.
Wuhu, I finally got the VTP Vista-like theme to work. I had to run Styler from it’s program files, then go to the [Info] tab, then uncheck “Styler TB Mode.” This is pretty awesome. Emulated start menu, sidebar, and theme. The Taskbar look is incredible! Performance hasn’t taken a hit, either. I’ve tried widgets before, but they always got in the way. The sidebar is great because it keeps them contained. It stays behind windows, then if I want to see it I just click the tray icon. Also, it looks amazing!
One thing still. How do I get those links in Explorer? Also, docking support?
Hi can some Please tell me how to install VTP 7 for Multiple users because when i install it on my user name it does not install on the other users?
ROCK Rock r ro roc rock
how do i download it???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just use the Download Mirror link posted above for the easiest way.
I’ve installed this on my laptop and I am very happy and very impressed with it. I have some family members who were interested in trying out Vista, but I’ll have to recommend that they get this pack instead!
I’m glad you like it! Vista changes a lot of under-the-hood stuff as well, but as long as your family just wants the look of the operating system this is a good solution.
Can you still run windows update if you install it, and can some users still use the xp look? I mean if you have multiple accounts can you get it to only run on one account?
You can still run Windows Update fine, but I’m not sure if other users can still use the old theme. I think so, but I can’t guarantee that.
KB ERROR: If ur gettin a kb… error the first thing u wanna do is finish ur windows updates! if ur puter is up to date i m pretty sure u wont get that error again!
I also had that Hotfix KB925902 error but it was very easy to solve. I just uninstalled the hotfix, rebooted, installed VTP7, and then let Windows Update reinstall the hotfix. At first I was concerned that reinstalling KB925902 would break VTP7, but it hasn’t and everything continues to run smoothly! I’ve even installed the Vista Bubbles and Aurora screensavers to further enhance the Vista feel!
That’s good to know. I’m actually surprised that it worked.
I like it but i want to make the transparent glass be blured like in the REAL Windows Vista Ultimate!
If somewone knows how to do that, just tell me how!
My brother says that the Windows Vista works slower and its better that i still use the XP with the Vista style because it works faster. Is it true?
You would need to use something like WindowBlinds:
[cybernetnews.com]
Well, I’m a Vista user and I can say from experience that the performance difference is not all that big. It really depends on the configuration of your computer that determines how well Vista will run, but I love the new operating system. Microsoft really focused heavily on the finer details with it.
Ok so i was wondering how much memory it takes up. I have about 1gb mem, and how much should it take off?
-hmm, is glass the transparent bars for programs like ie?
-Is there an option during install that i can uncheck so that i dont need the windows blinds?
-what if i use windows blind 6, since it has a free version?
any help is greatly apreciate.
The transparency is not quite like IE 7 in Vista, if that’s what you’re wondering. I’m not quite sure what you mean by “bars”
As far as needing WindowBlinds you don’t need to use it if you install the newer Vista Transformation Pack 8:
[cybernetnews.com]
uhhmmm. . were can i find and internet booster??? or a pc booster?? i rily want my pc to speed things a lilbit. . anyone. .
does this completely change your windows xp to windows vista? or does it just make your xp look like vista?
It just makes XP look like Vista, and doesn’t upgrade your system to Vista.
Can I unistall this if I don’t like this at all?
I mean… Can I have old XP theme back, without that I need to install whole XP again from CD-rom?
Yes, it can be uninstalled.
I have loved all of these transformation packs. This must be the best.
but does it change the whole computer so everything works like Vista or is it stills ome XP things left i can use?
some*
It will only look like Vista, but it is still going to handle like XP.
What if I download it, and want to get the old theme back? What do I do, then?
You’ll uninstall it just like any other program. It’s pretty simple.
But, is how? Lol
:|
but how? =P
Open up the Control Panel and go to Add/Remove Programs.
how do i download it
what is 3rd party
is it free?