How to Make Windows XP Look like Windows Vista or 7 for Free

If you like the look of Windows Vista or 7 but aren't ready to upgrade, you can make your Windows XP computer look like the newer operating systems. There are several free software programs that will give Windows the look and feel of Windows Vista and 7. Back up all your files and create a System Restore point before using these free software programs.

The simplest way to make your Windows XP computer look like Windows Vista is to use the Vista Transformation Pack on WindowsXLive.net . Developed by Windows X Live, the Vista Transformation Pack changes the boot screen, logon screen, visual styles, desktop and file icons, toolbar icons, progress dialog boxes, sound schemes, wallpapers and Windows Media Player skins in Windows XP to those that resemble Windows Vista. There is also a Seven Transformation Pack that will transform your Windows XP computer into a Windows 7 lookalike. Keep in mind that these software programs don't significantly change the function of Windows XP. The changes they make are primarily cosmetic.

If you don't want to use the Vista or Seven Transformation Pack, there are other free software programs that will make your Windows XP computer look like Windows Vista or 7. One of the best is ViStart from Lee-Soft.com, a program that gives Windows XP a Vista Start Menu. ViStart indexes program shortcuts the way Windows Vista does, making it faster and easier to find programs on your computer. You can find many Windows Vista skins for ViStart on the deviantART website . Lee-Soft.com also offers a program called ViGlance , which is a Windows 7 SuperBar for Windows XP. ViGlance gives the Windows XP taskbar thumbnails and preview windows similar to those in Windows 7, as well as a Windows 7 start button and Start Menu.

To get Windows Vista icons on your Windows XP computer, you can install an icon pack such as the VistaVG Icon Pack for Windows XP , available on ASKVG.com. You could also use a program called IconTweaker , which you can download from CNET's Download.com,to make your Windows XP icons look more like Windows Vista or 7 icons.

To change your boot screen, you can use a free program called BootSkin , which you can find on StarDock.com. There are both Windows Vista bootskins and Windows 7 bootskins available for the program on the WinCustomize.com website.

To change your Windows XP logon screen, you can use LogonStudio , also available on StarDock.com. You can then download Windows Vista and Windows 7 login screens from WinCustomize.com. You can also find bootskins and login screens for BootSkin and LogonStudio on the DeviantART.com website .

If you'd like to have a sidebar like the Vista Sidebar, the best free program to install is Google Desktop. Google Desktop's sidebar supports gadgets such as clocks, calendars, weather gadgets, calculators, media players and more. You can drag and drop gadgets onto the sidebar and arrange them in any order, just as you can in the Windows Vista sidebar.

For more tips on personalizing your computer, read How to Change Themes in Windows XP and Vista.

Sources:

Google.com: "Features." http://desktop.google.com/features.html
WindowsXLive.net "Vista Transformation Pack"