Alright peeps, I have noticed that there are several threads where people display their Windows Vista 'visual style' on their Windows XP but there isn't any official thread that teaches exactly how to do it. So I have gathered a mini-tutorial on the tools and links you need to get started. Contributors are always welcomed.


This is my desktop screenshot. I am 99% complete to the actual screen of Vista:

Note: I did not just use VTP 6.0. I customized everything one by one from scratch. From VTP 6, to WB5, to Visual Tooltip, and now even TopDesk for Flip 3D. Don't worry, I have included all of them in this Guide.


Navigation Index:


Note: Items labeled with "Recommended " are strong recommendations by me


Newbie's Guide:

► Install Vista Transformation Pack 6.0 Recommended
http://www.windowsxlive.net/?page_id=15

Sample Screenshot:
(Note: Some of the illustrations here might differ from actual outcome)

Images courtesy of Windows X's Shrine


Note: This installer has almost everything you need in to get that Vista look but it might contain bugs or certain styles that you might not like. If you prefer to have control over all the features that you would like to have, then read Post #2 onwards...


► [Alternative] Windows Vista Inspirat RC1 by ~Rubenernesto
- Another "all-in-one" pack including icons.
Sample Screenshot:

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/39791165/


► [Alternative] Vista RC2-RTM - update 2 by ~JuanPerez
- Another "all-in-one" pack including icons.
Sample Screenshot:

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42852311/

► [Alternative] XP to Vista by ~splintered13
- Another "all-in-one" pack but without icons but includes Top Desk. You can use Vista Icon Pack to complete it.
Sample Screenshot:

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/51827792/

This post has been edited by J-Slade: Apr 25 2007, 10:26 PM

For advanced users:


► Windows Vista Misc Pack
This are some "not-so-complete" packs. I will include what I know about them.

1) XP Vista Pack by ~oddbasket (credits to sotong168) Recommended

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/47056403/
- Contains [ pointers / sounds / wallpaper ]


► Windows Vista Icon Pack Recommended
Of course, the icons are the most important thing in a Visual Style. And we need high resolution icon packs. Why not give this one a try?

1) Vista Icon Pack v3 (credits to 2uk3y)


http://www.vistaiconpack.com/
DOWNLOAD: http://www.nakido.com/90624F7C6102C3C02E22...5581E23CB959A9F
(Note: I would advice you to download using a download manager)

Screenshot:

- Contains [ icons / boot screen / logon screen / process bars / taskbars / visual tooltip]


► Windows Vista Logon Screen
The logon screen where you select your User account.


1) Windows Vista Ultimate Logon by =ears1991 (credits to 2uk3y)
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/38038968/
2) Windows Vista Logon by ~sahtel08 (credits to 2uk3y)
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/38535220/

► Windows Vista Boot Screen
This is the loading screen on Vista. Just like the real vista, its only contains the loading bar. No logo whatsoever..


1) Vista Boot XP by ~ssombret007 (credits to ijat84)
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/43800802/


► Windows Vista Sidebar
The sidebar is basically the bar at the side................. okay what else did you think it was?
It basically contains 'gadgets' that we can use that is similar to Mac OS X dashboard widgets...

1) thoosje's Vista sidebar.
http://www.thoosje.com/

Here are some screenshots of my desktop using this sidebar:

Note: This one contains some bugs and it got really tiresome and so I uninstalled it. This sidebar can be found default in Vista Transformation Pack 6.0

2) Aero Sidebar V2 by =ears1991 (credits to sniper69)

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/45898316/

3) Samurize Vista Sidebar V3 by halfwayglad (credits to sotong168)

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/47519480/

4) The Real Vista sidebar
Please read the post #3 for details.


► Windows Vista Visual Tooltip
This is basically a tool that lets you have a "preview" of the current window that has been minimised. It looks like this:


1) Visual Tooltip by Christian Salmon
http://chsalmon.club.fr/index.php?en/Download Recommended
2) Visual Task Tips (credits to sniper69)
View Screenshot.
http://www.visualtasktips.com/

► Windows Vista Clock
Okay, this is silly. Because the final version of Windows Vista's clock looks just like Windows XP's clock. However, in one of the earlier builds of Vista (longhorn), the clock looks different. For a sample picture of how it looks like, check out some of my earlier screenies and look at the bottom right how the clock is arranged in a different way.

1) LClock
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhan...nt/LClock.shtml
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=157465


► Windows Vista Flip 3D
One of the new features in Vista is the ability to switch between tasks in style. When pressing "Windows + Tab", the windows actually cascade in a 3D manner for easy preview of which window to go to.


Image courtesy of Greasy Sweet's February Desktop.

1) If its Flip 3D you want, its TopDesk you're looking for:
http://www.otakusoftware.com/topdesk/

My screenshot:


2) For those of you that can't afford TopDesk but still craving for Flip-3D like effects on your XP machine, here's a program that's FREE, consumes little resources and handles the job pretty well: Madotate 2.02. It supposed to be a Japanese program but a proper English translation is included inside the zip file.
Hope you guys enjoy it.

(credits to Onyx_black)
Screen shots on Page 7 (Post #127)
Download on Page 7 (Post #127)



► Windows Media Player 11
Well, the latest Windows Media Player around. I don't really use this much but the new interface looks great.



1) Download Windows Media Player 11
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsme...11/default.aspx

2) Download Windows Media Player 11 skin (for older versions of Windows Media Player. Credits to sotong168)
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/45808870/


► Microsoft Internet Explorer 7
The latest release of Internet Explorer offers higher security for safe browsing and also the 'new' feature of tabbed browsing for easier navigation.

1) Download Microsoft Internet Explorer 7
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...ie/default.mspx

This post has been edited by J-Slade: Apr 25 2007, 02:57 AM

Final Touches:

► Windows Vista Wallpaper (36 official wallpaper from Final RTM Build 6000)



1) Download Vista Wallpaper Pack (credits to Onyx_black) Recommended
2) Download Vista Wallpaper Pack [ mirror ] Recommended
3) Vista Wallpaper Downloads (credits to 2uk3y)
4) Unreleased Windows Vista Wallpapers by Hamad Darwish (credits to Onyx_black)



► Windows Vista Sidebar (for real crazy enthusiast) Recommended



The above sidebar is the ORIGINAL Windows Vista Sidebar by Microsoft. Yes, this is the real deal. But it is rather complicated. But with given time and patience, you can achieve it too.

1) You need to have something called VAIOXP.
http://www.aeroxp.org/board/index.php?showtopic=7728
VAIOXP is basically an written program that enables Windows XP to install Windows Vista applications. However, before you begin, you need to install these 4 important stuff first.

Prerequisites:

* Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package
* Microsoft Internet Explorer 7
* Wireless LAN API (KB918997) (VAIOXP users only)
* Windows Media Player 11 (Windows Sidebar users)

2) Then you install the VAIOXP Preview Build 2 rev. 3 build 4 (for Windows XP)
http://www.gcnaddict.com/mirror/vaio/vaioxp_b2r3.4_feb02.zip
DOWNLOAD: http://h1.ripway.com/jasonaw/vaioxp_b2r3.4_feb02.zip

3) Then you install the Windows Vista Sidebar
http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=505
DOWNLOAD: http://h1.ripway.com/jasonaw/RTM_Sidebar_Installer.rar

4) Installing Gadgets:
Download all you Gadgets from:
http://vista.gallery.microsoft.com/vista/S....aspx?mkt=en-us
Use 7zip archiver to uncompress the .Gadget files to a sub directory then copy that folder to the gadgets folder in Program Files\Windows Sidebar and add .Gadget to the end of folder name.


► Windows Vista System Infomation
Basically this is when you have a look at your system properties.



1) Vista System Properties for XP by ~joel85



2) Vista System Properties 1.8 by =ears1991 (credits to Greasy Sweet)


3) Vista System Style 1.0 by ~MystikDarkEchoes

This post has been edited by J-Slade: Apr 25 2007, 10:25 PM

Windows Vista Skins & Visual Styles:


► Windows Vista Aero Glass Style (for those with Windowblinds 5 Enhanced)



If you check out my desktop above, you would have noticed that the edges of my applications have this 'see through' effect like glass. To achieve this, you need 2 steps.

1) Buy & Install WindowBlinds 5
http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/

2) Use a suitable WindowBlinds 5 skin.
- Windows X's skin
Those whom I have already sent the file, please don't redistribute it. It took me a lot of effort to obtain this skin. Hope you understand...
- Vista 2.4 -2.3 refresh- by ~jemaho (credit to Greasy Sweet)
- Vista Ultimate by ~planetlive
- AeroGlassXP V4 "The Remix II" by ~Ironjer Recommended
- VistaPerfection X4 RCX by ~kayeirene
- MiLork Vista Theme 1.1 by ~MiLork (credits to Onyx_black)
Preview:

Note: There is no 'best' WB5 skin around. It all comes down to which you like. Personally I have tried both and I still prefer Windows X's one. Which is not readily available to download from the net. I had to rip it off from one of his earlier versions of VTP...



► Windows Vista Aero Glass Style (for those without Windowblinds 5)



1) VistaVG RTM by ~Vishal-Gupta Recommended




2) MiVista 5720 UPDATED AGAIN by ~leosss

This post has been edited by J-Slade: Apr 25 2007, 10:14 PM

Advanced Visual Mods:


► Vista Startmenu Emulator RC2 for XP
Finally got it to work =)

1) Vista Startmenu Emulator RC2 for XP (credits to 2uk3y)


The RC2 release of Vista Start menu Emulator is ready for use on Windows XP.

Improvements:
- The whole code has been re-written to reach higher performance in the application.
- Updated GUI (graphical user interface: new icons, new background, new link panels, shutdown, lock and shutdown menu buttons are also updated, Start orb also replaced)
- working search (start search is now searching in your Start menu\Programs folder as you type, you can even live-search the internet from it)
- faster shortcuts
- redesigned Properties dialog

NOTE: For those of you who are facing errors, you must install this first:
Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0

Fix provided by J-Slade
Enjoy



► Vista Startmenu Button



This simple application will make the cut off start orb to be complete see the image preview above. This application is standalone and can be moved anywhere in the desktop and it can also be run automatically at start up.

DOWNLOAD LINK


► Vista Sidebar Styler (credits to Greasy Sweet)
► Windows Vista Ultimate Exclusive Wallpaper (credits to Onyx_black)
http://windowsultimate.com/files/folders/u...ds/default.aspx
Microsoft's Vista Ultimate website has released new 'Ultimate' Wallpapers.

Windows Ultimate Wallpaper - Start - 4:3, 24", 30"



Windows Ultimate Wallpaper - Strands - 4:3, 24", 30"



Note: For those using 1024 x 768, Just download the 1920 x 1440 and resize it in Photoshop.



► Windows Vista Logon Screen (FrontMotion) (credits to Greasy Sweet)
► Vista Image Icon Preview (credits to yukihatsu)
Xentient Thumbnails
Screenshot

This software enables your pictures to be displayed in thumbnail view although it is in icon preview mode... (just like in vista... ) tested it already... no problems so far...



► Windows Vista Games for Windows XP (credits to Hackezkk)
This post has been edited by J-Slade: Apr 8 2007, 11:27 PM

Message for the Author:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) Dear J-Slade, there are so many tweaks for the Vista visuals... which one to choose from?
- If you do not want to confuse yourself with so many applications, I suggest you just use Vista Transformation Pack. I unchecked some of the options during installation such as start orb, styler, toolbar, sidebar.. etc. These options have bugs in them. I replaced them with some of the standalone apps stated in the 2nd post.
- But to be honest, VTP and WB5 is eating a lot of resources for my rig and so I self customised everything. Will give u more updates within these few days


2) Bro, seriously.... this is very confusing. There is too many options. Can you just suggest which is the best & safest combination so that I don't screw up my OS and have to reformat.. etc.
- Okay firstly, let me share some screenshots of my desktop. Its not that exact but I am very comfortable with how it looks like.

This is what my desktop looks like.


This is to show the Start Menu and the HDD icons with the remaining space available.


This is the Control Panel icons. I like the new set of icons =)

How the hell do I do THAT?
i) Firstly, I installed the Windows Vista Sidebar. (You can find the instructions on Post #3)

ii) Then I installed Vista Icon Pack 3. (You can find the download link on Post #2).
However, I 'unchecked' some of the options during Installation.
- Vista Cursor. (Why? Read step No. 3)
- Visual Tooltip. (Why? Because this is the old version. The new version can be downloaded here: http://chsalmon.club.fr/index.php?en/Download)

iii) After that, I installed XP Vista Pack by oddbasket. (You can find the download link on Post #2)
- This pack contains the PROPER vista cursor, PROPER vista sound scheme & PROPER vista wallpapers.
- After installing, you have to set it yourself. For the sounds, go to Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Sounds. Under sound scheme, choose "Vista RTM"
- As for the cursor, go to Control Panel > Mouse > Pointers. Under scheme choose "Windows Aero".

iv) Finally, install the Visual Style by Vishal-Gupta.
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/48901895/

v) For an added touch, you can have the exclusive Windows Vista Ultimate wallpaper llike mine. (You can find the download link on Post #5)

vi) If you have any problems with the icons on your CD/DVD-ROM drive, check our FAQ No 4

3) My Yahoo! Messenger has an error while using WindowBlinds 5. What is the cause of this?
- The new Yahoo! Messenger has its own skinning engine. To work around this, try using Yahoo! Messenger 7.0 and below. Also, some say that WindowBlinds 5.5 has already corrected this error.
http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=yahoo

4) When I use large icons (48px), it seems that the CD/DVD-ROM icons will not display properly. There will be this IE7 icon overlapping all the icons. How do I solve this?


Active Members (more than 10 posts) from the previous XP to Vista thread:
1) Greasy Sweet
2) sniper69
3) 2uk3y
4) sotong168
5) id86
6) LovesReborn
7) Hackezkk

and... many more who also contributed, I would like to thank all of you for participating and keeping this thread alive.

This post has been edited by J-Slade: May 20 2007, 11:23 PM

how to remove icon in the sidebar? tq..

for the vista start emulator,is it possoible the make it in transparent?the screen shot shown is not transparent...

What icon? could you be more specific with your question?

wow~
more and more stuffs~

the REAL vista sidebar how to do it?
mind to had step-by-step ss?
coz i cant do it.

Vista Startmenu Emulator RC2 for XP seems cool.

Will try it thanks.

The step by step is all there. Just install the 4 things needed, then install VAIOXP, then install the VIsta Sidebar... maybe u can share with us in more detail about the problem you are facing.



It looks cool... but it doesn't work for me. I keep getting error

It's not really resource hungry right?

Nope. It works just fine. I'd still rather rely on the real vista sidebar than other sidebar emulators which might have bugs and all that. Plus, the vista sidebar can install new gadgets from Microsoft's Gadget Gallery:

http://vista.gallery.microsoft.com/vista/S....aspx?mkt=en-us

Erm, I'm referring to the Startmenu emulator

Oh... that one I didnt get to work at all. Keep getting error msg. I can't even install it at all.

I found an alternative to LogonXp, It's called FrontMotion. I have not tried this as I'm no longer using XP, but from the descriptions and screens from the site, it looks pretty promising.

Features

* User reconfigurable logon interface
* Interactive Macromedia Flash Themes
* Remote Desktop support in Windows XP and Terminal Services support.
* Fast User Switching support in Windows XP (Standalone and Domain Mode)
* Configurable Windows 2000 or Windows XP security behavior (Runs Task Manager on Ctrl-Alt-Del)
* Screen Rotation support
* Windows XP Password Reset Wizard support.
* No DLL hacking required. Safe even after Service Pack upgrades.
* Built-in 'recovery mode'.

Check out the Webpage, which has a neat little flash that displays the logons in action.

After installing this, try out Flahorn's Skin for FrontMotion called Energy Milestone 1

Author's instructions to install:
How to install:
1.Download and instal FrontMotion Login
2.Unpack logon to the folder "Program Files\FrontMotion Login\Themes"
3.Open Control Panel in the classic view
4.Click on the FrontMotion Login, choose "Energy[your screen resolution]"
5.Go to "Advanced" tab and check "Use FMLogon (reguires reboot)"
6.Restart your Windows



This post has been edited by Greasy Sweet: Mar 11 2007, 10:17 PM

Hey J-Slade... good guide!!! bravo

I managed to get my Windows Vista Sidebar throught the VAIOXP method and it was great.
Among all gadgets, only those Clocks gadget cant work. I tried downloading numerous clock gadgets but all showed black image only.
Here's a printscreen of it. Any idea about the problem?
hope u can help =]



Cheers mate!

how to install Vista start emu?

i am sorry.. what i mean is how to remove any icon that been auto matically added in the sidebar after i installed VTP? i want to remove the clock icon and the rss feed icon.