Windows XP Enhancement-

[KotaXor]

Did not see this in frontpage or anywhere, so thought I post it here:

Vista Transformation Pack 9.0.1

Vista Transformation Pack v9.0.1 By WindowsX

Turns Windows XP/Server 2003 into Windows Vista [in Style}

Screenshots:

Version 9.01

Version 8.01

About:

Vista Transformation Pack (also referred to as VTP) is a compilation of programs created for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. It has the ability to change the user interface to simulate the Windows Vista graphical user interface by adding several themes and visual styles, installing some third-party software, and patching system files. The program effectively simulates Windows Vista and is a popular choice for Windows XP users that prefer the Windows Vista appearance but do not want to actually install Windows Vista.

In the latest version (ver. 9), users can use ViSplore, an application that simulates the glass of the Windows Vista explorer. You are also able to get the Instant Search function and the new All Programs feature in the Start Menu using ViStart. Users can also get the Sidebar using former Thoosje's Vista Sidebar which includes 19 gadgets. The Sidebar has since been updated to Vista Rainbar, a far stabler and faster alternative. The Windows Aero feature is now part of the transformation pack, using a program called TrueTransparency or the user has the choice to buy WindowBlinds from Stardock.

VTP is the successor of Longhorn Transformation Pack (LTP), when Windows Vista was still known under its codename, Longhorn.

Changes:

New 3rd-party applications

ViSplore - Vista Glass explorer simulator

Vista Drive Icon - adding free space percentage in your drive icon like Vista explorer

Vista Rainbar - Lightweight Vista sidebar based on Rainmeter that even consume less resources than real Vista Sidebar

Improved 3rd-party applications

ViStart - Files indexing for documents search, improved reliability and compatibilities

ViOrb - Improved graphic and reliability (C++ re-written)

TrueTransparency - Improved reliability with improved AeroStyle's glass border

WinFlip - Improved stability and reliablity

New functionalities

Setup personization - Allow customizing Vista experiences upon installation without access to Welcome Center

Windows XP Service Pack 3 compatibilities - Now you can enjoy Vista themes after installation with Windows XP Service Pack 3

x64 compatibilities - More secured x64 installation without getting hurt by incompatibilities

There're also a lot of bug fixes and refinements in the program but let's just keep it simple with these for now. You can experience the rest later by yourself.

Changes in Version 9.0.1

-Added ViSplore in unsafe applications list (It's first beta version after all)

-Added restrcting applications don't meet the requirements from startup list (But not from installation so you can set it manually still)

-Added restrcting to set unsafe applications in Personalization page (Welcome Center only)

-Fixed Windows XP Service Pack 3 compatibilities (Even non-RTM version can apply so make sure you use official build 5512)

-Fixed "Do not show this welcome screen after restart" option bug that always keep program in startup instead

-Updated Vista Rainbar's launcher for constant waiting cursor activity issue

-Updated Vistalize basic desktop theme components to apply font and toolbar in Personalization

-Updated VisualTooltip default configuration to set area space in bottom from 30 to 0

-Updated WinFlip's configuration for higher reliablity and compatibilities with ViStart

Changes in Version 9.0

-Added Gavatx's Vista Rainbar 4.3 (Slim) in place of Thoosje's Vista Sidebar

-Added large icon resizing option for high resolution monitors

-Added Personalization setup screen for configuring current user account before installation

-Added running ViStart, ViOrb and ViSplore to WindowBlinds and TrueTransparency's exclusion list (prevent stability issues)

-Added ViSplore project (Vista Glass Explorer for Windows XP/2003)

-Added Vista Drive Icon in place of Vista Windows Drive Icon

-Added Windows XP Service Pack 3 uxtheme patching compatibilities

-Fixed automate 3rd-party applications optimization requirements

-Fixed graphic driver detection issues in transformation package for cases that doesn't use the first slot of driver

-Fixed OS detection incompatibilities with Windows Vista

-Fixed possible errors when auto-configuring user account during installation without "Express Mode"

-Fixed Thoosje Sidebar's auto-configuration bug on some resolutions.

-Fixed uninstallation script to terminate newly added applications such as WinFlip, TrueTransparency, etc.

-Fixed Vista orb positioning in "System Properties" dialog

-Fixed WindowBlinds' installation detection bug in configure user account dialog

-Updated Aero Style's glass border for more visibility and less distortion for both WindowBlinds and TrueTransparency

-Updated AeroStyle's glass border in TrueTransparency to simulate "little-blurring-like" WindowBlinds

-Updated boot screen to traditional ones without Vista flag

-Updated configure user account's installed components and applications UI

-Updated "Glass" sounds scheme from Windows Vista's Ultimate Extras

-Updated installation branding bar image

-Updated TrueTransparency to version 0.9.4

-Updated ViOrb to version 1 (C++ re-written)

|-Added start orb's right click menu

|-Fixed hook recovery when explorer shell is reloaded

|-Fixed always on top visibility issues with some applications including ViStart

|-Updated start orb graphic to for all sides compatibilities

-Updated ViStart to version 2.0 build 3467

|-Added font customization feature in settings.xml

|-Added indexing file search support like Vista (you can search for extension with .ext)

|-Added "Reset Shell" in menu option to reload explorer along with ViStart

|-Added multi-DPI Support

|-Fixed Chinese characters issue with Recent Documents

|-Fixed hook recovery when explorer shell is reloaded

|-Fixed start menu's hooking reliability with full screen and resolution changes

|-Fixed strange ActiveX errors

-Updated Visual style's top taskbar background to have the same image as bottom's like Vista

-Updated WinFlip to version 0.50

-Updated wording in some areas for easier understanding

-Updated x64 operating systems compatibilities

[alaindc]

i prefer to use desktop sidebar, a freeware.

i discover it 4 months ago, after searching to add the Vista like panel to XP.

everything work fine, no problem on this 4 months

i use the clock, some performances counter, (cpu, ram, recv/send kbs), cd ejector, recycle bin, fast launch

using all these things, it use about 7 megs, and nearly no cpu cycle.

i'm glad to have it.

i nearly try Vista Transformation Pack this year, but with all version, many peoples were posting problems on boards, like can't uninstall completly, or big problems after some windows update (some talking about having to format), so i stay away from it, even if it work great on others. And now that i discover Desktop Sidebar, i have what i want.

But some others may be interest in Vista transformation pack, so, thank's for posting this topic.

[RKP]

oh...no thnx to VTP's...have had bad experiences uninstalling them...though very happy with the windows 7 theme u provided... :rant:

[KotaXor]

Yeah, I had problem with installing it instead of uninstalling...It seem it is only half installed.

I have all the necessary icons, looks, cursors, drive icons, bootup screen and logon screen installed, the rest just unable to installed (ie third party program).

Don't know why!

But others find it OK! So......? :rant: