5 Packs to Transform Windows to other OS
Dec. 31st, 2007 | by Shankar Ganesh |It’s a new year, why not give your years old XP operating system a new look? If you’re bored of having to look at the same kind of icons and eyecandy everytime, you can download and install these free transformation packs, and transform XP to look like any other OS.
(Note: Some of the listed transformation packs are quite extensive so please read installation guidelines carefully)
Vista Transformation Pack [Download]
Vista Transformation Pack does all kinds of appearance tweaks, and makes Windows XP look like Vista. From icons, transparency to new sounds, this pack does it all to make your XP look like Windows Vista.
Mac OS Transformation Pack [Download]
[Transforms XP to look like Mac OS X 10.5. Some important components like Windows Explorer and other shell files are patched to mimic Mac OS X appearance. Work only with Windows XP SP2 (English version).
FlyakiteOSX [Download]
Again, make your windows look like Mac OS X. However, it’s much more comprehensive than the above one. This enhancement utility does everything from registry tweaks, visual styles, sounds, icons to imitate the appearance of Mac OS X. See other screenshots here. If you’re using iTunes then make sure to deselect ‘iTunes Multi-Pugin’ option (under ‘Software’) in the installation wizard.
Fedora Transformation Pack [Download]
This tool is intended for making XP resemble the Fedora Linux Distro. Though the utility just packs a simple visual style, it does include icons, screensavers and wallpapers, and other Fedora-like skins for programs.
Ubuntu Transformation Pack [Download]
This pack contains visual styles, icons and other patches that can give the brownish Ubuntu look to Windows XP. If you just can’t get Ubuntu working on your PC, but still love its looks, you can download this pack. [via]
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[...] presentamos las 5 aplicaciones con los que podrás cambiar la apariencia de Windows a otro sistema operativo… cada aplicación [...]
Although it doesn’t transform Windows to look like another OS, XPize is always one of the first things I install on a new installation.
Follow-up to Michael’s comment:
“XPize is a GUI enhancer for Windows XP and 2003. It replaces most of the non-XP icons, avis and bmps that Microsoft has always overlooked. The installer simply automates the process of replacing resources in system files, making your XP’s look better.
“
Oh, yeah. Make Windows look like Ubuntu, I’m sure people are looking for that… ¬¬
LOL! I use ubuntu and wouldn’t want that.
But, I can do anything I want to make it look the way I want it to look.
People don’t use ubuntu for the “LOOK”.
I enjoy the warm look of Ubuntu. I’ve been running it for a year or so now and have never changed the appearance on any of the machines except to make my own wallpaper to go along with it. It’s refreshingly different from all the other default blue OS styles out there. If I had to run Windows at work, I’d probably grab this pack.
Ubuntu looks good, why not import the same look in XP when you happen to use it?
That’s what I was talking about
I love the Ubuntu look. It’s simple and nice, and I’ve always had my XP modded Ubuntu style, and this pack looks even better.
i like the ubuntu look
Skins looks cool. Some time back, I tried a Vista transformation pack on my Windows XP.After that I decided not to go for any skin applying softwares. Coz, it created so many problems. I had to reinstall my OS after that incident.
You probably tried ver. 7, but now they released version 8, which solves dozens of bugs. Although, it still risky if you’re not sure about what can be done to undo the installation. :-).
Wow
Fedora and Mac OS Transformation Packs seem to be very cool.
To Veerasundar: You are absolutely right, this transformation pack creates many problems and only solution is to completely reinstall your system.
Yeah, a backup is recommended before installation.
[...] new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!FlyakiteOSX is one of the best transformation packs available for Windows XP. I installed FlyakiteOSX a few days ago on my PC. The installation went smooth, and there [...]
[...] Fonte: MakeUseOf [...]
[...] 5 Packs to Transform Windows to other OS | MakeUseOf.com. [...]
Is it really smart to but ubuntu skin on XP? More smarter is to install Ubuntu and replace Windows.
Given that current Macs can run both Mac OS X 10.5 (which, btw is awesome!) *and* XP (or even Vista!) faster and more smoothly than most actual PCs, I would have to say that struggling to make your Windoze look like the Mac is kind of … well, pathetic.
Buy an XBox for your gaming fix and get a Mac already!*
*PS — Macs run Ubuntu and other Linuxes just great as well! Wow, three OSes running simultaneously without exploding? MUST BE A MAC!!
Yesssss Mrrrrrrrrr Jobsssssss I will dooo anyyyythiiiiinng yoooouu saaaaaay…
PC gaming > console gaming any day.
One OS is enough for me, though if I really wanted to, I could go ahead and stick Ubuntu onto my computer. The thing is, MacOS and Linux don’t give me anything I don’t already have with XP. Doesn’t get much simpler than that, does it?
@ Guruboy
I am 100% with you on that.
i have my laptop running xp, osx and linux triple boot and it works just fine, the brand i hear you ask?
Dell.
time to get the mac off of the pedestal and realise it is just a tool to do a job
Who needs windows, after i installed linux i have just been using it for 6 months now, I also posted this link on my blog, with extra funny comments, http://www.opentopix.com/topic/gadgets/windows-on-other-platfroms
Who needs Windows… ?
Millions of people .
[...] download and install these free transformation packs, and transform XP to look like any other OS.read more | digg story 用 鲜果 [...]
[...] Fonte: MakeUseOf [...]
Funny, I never want to change my leopard UI…
That’s because it’s an awesome interface
Guruboy:
Windows != Security.
there are plenty of excellent freeware that can take care of this.
I love VISTA but haven’t updated yet.. The Vista Transformation Pack looks like a good way to get familiar with the operating system until I’m ready to upgrade.
[...] presentamos las 5 aplicaciones con los que podrás cambiar la apariencia de Windows a otro sistema operativo… cada aplicación [...]
[...] you want to hack your desktop (Windows) to look like something else, check out this MakeUseOf.com article. Five new (Sort of) looks for your Windows XP [...]
Great article.
For Vista, I highly recommend (and use) Vistamizer. It is really well done and the best part is that if you didn’t like, all changes can be reversed without any causing any system issues.
Thanks for the information on that program.
Link?
How superficial can you get?
[...] Check out the other 4 transformation packs for Windows Xp in http://www.makeuseof.com [...]
why make xp look like another OS?? Just install the other OS!
I got sick of M$ a few years back and have been running linux since then (CentOS, not that ubuntu crap), life is so much easier & stress free now
I guess M$ can easily refer both to Mac and Microsoft now.
[...] звуков, иконок, до полной иммитации внешнего вида Mac OS X. Смотрите ещё скриншоты здесь. Если вы используете [...]
Thanks for posting this. This should provide a couple of hours worth of entertainment screwing around with the vanilla install.
Just keep the re-image discs handy… ;o)
Good Tip!
pathethic, change OS instead and you’ll get avantage from using a OS that not just looks better, but also works better
Te averguenzas de tu windows? Transfórmalo en otro O.S…
¿Quieres que tu windows se parezca a otro sistema operativo? Aquí tienes cinco packs para transformarlo en un MAC, un linux, Vista……
[...] Check out the other three packs FlyakiteOSX, Fedora Transformation Pack, and the Ubuntu Transformation Pack at Makeusof.com [...]
Right reasoning, wrong result.
I’m running XP on my Leopard-based Mac under Parallels Desktop, and I used FlyakiteOSX to make the ugly XP windows look like the rest of my Mac windows. It’s fantastic. With all of the advances that Parallels has made in the last year, all of the XP programs I’m running look and behave mostly like every other Mac program: they’ve got soft drop shadows, they swoop into the dock, and they work with Exposé. The red-yellow-green widgets are on the “wrong” side, but aside from that, I’ve got no complaints.
It’s the only way to roll.
I believe the url to flyakite is faulty, it points to a rip off site, that maybe even distributes spyware with it. The real site is http://osx.portraitofakite.com
This was also previously discussed on lifehacker here: http://lifehacker.com/337812/make-windows-look-like-a-mac-with-flyakiteosx
(they made the same mistake)
Thanks for spotting it. I’ll ping Aibek to edit the post with the new link
Done!
[...] 5 Packs to Transform Windows to other OS | MakeUseOf.com (tags: windows theme os themes vista linux mac xp tweak **) [...]
These make sense. I, like many people, use two (or more) machines in day to day work. Whatever the “dominant” OS you use, you kind of get used to more as time goes on. So minor tweaks, whether it be icons, toolbar placement, etc. are nice in this kind of situation.
One example is that no matter what machine, or OS I’m using, I always have the Blue Tango icon pack selected. That way the icons are all the same, and I know by colors and icons what to click on when glancing at a folder cluttered with a ton of items.
I know it’s subtle, but there are advantages to making on OS look like another.
[...] Ara faré una mica de caballe.cat 5 Packs to Transform Windows to other OS | MakeUseOf.com [...]
[...] article on how to transform your XP to look like another OS by Shankar Ganesh. The MacOS X one and the ubuntu ones look cool! [...]
[...] read more | digg story [...]
[...] Via MakeUseOf.com [...]
[...] 2, 2008 It’s a new year, why not give your years old XP operating system a new look? If you’re bored of having to look at the same kind of icons and eyecandy everytime, [...]
[...] en MakeUseOf. Tags: linux, mac, personalizacion, ubuntuOtras entradas que te pueden interesar…:SnapLayout, [...]
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why don’t you just download the alienware theme pack?
much cooler and much better than these,,,,
[...] covered transformation packs that let you change the look and feel of Windows in the past. But Makeuseof has found a few packs that we weren’t aware of. For example, you can grab a Fedora or Ubuntu transformation pack [...]
[...] download and install these free transformation packs, and transform XP to look like any other OS.read more | digg [...]
why cant we just install the preferred OS and stick with it … ???
hehe … good list though …
Check out the comment from “Jaymoon”
“If you just can’t get Ubuntu working on your PC, but still love its looks, you can download this pack.”
Oh yeah, like I can get XP working on my computer but not Ubuntu
[...] this Transforms XP to look like Mac OS X 10.5. Some important components like Windows Explorer and other shell files are patched to mimic [...]
[...] Si teneis curiosidad, os dejo la dirección del blog donde se recopilan las descargas de estos paquetes de transformación. [...]
[...] quieres descargarlos Makeofuse lo tiene en listado para [...]
am an ubuntu user and i love more the way the ubuntu theme looks in win XP than it does in my ubuntu installation …. weird lol
i am tired of blue everywhere lol
congrats to the author
[...] te presentamos las 5 aplicaciones con las cuales podrás cambiar la apariencia de Windows a otro sistema operativo. Cada aplicación [...]
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[...] 5 Packs to Transform Windows to other OS | MakeUseOf.com - Hvis du ikke tør å ta steget over til et nytt OS, eller er fornøyd med Windows men synes utseendet på Apples Mac eller Ubuntu er fasinerende. Nå kan du få både i pose og sekk. Denne listen inneholder hva du trenger. [...]
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[...] 8 01 2008 ¿Cansado de que tu Windows XP luzca siempre igual? Bueno, ahora con estos 5 packs de temas de escritorio podemos cambiar radicalmente el aspecto de XP hasta el punto de [...]
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Hola, tengo instalado en mi pc el Windows xp modificado uE version 7. Mi pregunta es, si el Vista Transformation Pack 8 funciona con el Windows uE7? Saludos!
[...] usuarios Windows, y los no usuarios, están de enhorabuena, gracias a herramientas externas podemos hacer que Windows se convierta en otro sistema operativo, aunque sea solo en apariencia. Este tipo de herramientas ayudarán mucho a esos usuarios amantes [...]
I tried the Mac one and it only changed the icons in my start menu WTF did i do wrong? my desktop hasnt changed neither has anything else.
[...] 14 01 2008 ¿Cansado de que tu Windows XP luzca siempre igual? Bueno, ahora con estos 5 packs de temas de escritorio podemos cambiar radicalmente el aspecto de XP hasta el punto de [...]
I want a pack that makes my OS X and Ubuntu look like Vista!
Vista rocks, *NIX snobs!!
Does it **** up the system just like other similar look change applications?