Windows Longhorn, the next version of Windows, seems to be on a roll. Even graphics developers have pitched in to make themes from the Longhorn builds for Windows XP.
Windows X has made a series of themes for Windows XP so that your desktop looks like Longhorn. Download Now.
Visual
After you’ve installed the package, there will be in total 16 themes to choose from, which can be found under Display Properties (right click on desktop -> Properties) -> Appearance.
- Areo Concepts
- Areo Style
- Areo Style (Glass)
- Areo UI (Day)
- Areo UI (Night)
- Diamond
- Jade Style
- Longhorn Aero
- Luna (Longhorn Revolution)
- Plex Style
- Plex Style (Media Center Edition)
- Royale Glass
- Slate Athens
- Slate PDC
- Slate Refresh
- Slate XP
Sidebar
There is a new “toolbar” that comes with Longhorn — Sidebar. Essentially, it’s another toolbar, placed on the side of your screen. It is not as customizable, but it has more functions. It includes a clock, memo, and a few simple tasks. It is only visible when no windows are maximized, showing the desktop.
Misc.
The boot screen can be changed to the Longhorn boot screen look. The login screen can also be customized.
I am generally pretty happy about the look and effects of Longhorn. Most of these themes are not yet applicable, in my opinion. Some have black background and black text, which can be very annoying. I am currently using the Royale Glass theme, which adds rather a nice tone to my Windows XP.
Technical Information
I can’t say that the installation was a hustle, but it wasn’t as easy as double clicking an icon. It is recommanded that you restart your system in Safe Mode. This can be done by pressing F8 just before the Windows XP boot screen comes on. I had a lot of trouble with this, as Asus (my motherboard) chooses to uses F8 as a shortcut key for setup. In total, it takes about 5-10min to customize the looks you want and to copy and register the files.
Nothing is free. While this package is free to use, it uses up a lot of your system’s resource. All processes of the system start-up are relatively slower (2-5 seconds more). The entire theme manager uses almost 100MB of virtual memory. It uses a lot of the alpha/transparency effects, which slows down a lot of things. The Sidebar (which I now have disabled) uses up a lot of CPU and memory. It has a partial transparency. Even though you can customize this, it is still pretty laggy, as it’s just another plugin for the desktop.
Download
The latest version of the transformation pack is available for download.
I’d like to say good job to the pack developers. The skins look pretty much perfect. However, with all the downside of this new graphics system, I’d like to re-think my position as a XP user. It feels like my experience using XP has been put on a burden just because of the new look. I will probably uninstall this in a few months, when I’m bored with most of the themes (or when I buy a Powerbook!)
Nothing can beat the new feel of Tiger, I really cant see why anyone would even want to try to skin Tiger, its just too sexy :D
I always have difficulty with installing something like this. I have tried to install Flyakite but when I restarted, it just showed the windows XP classic theme :(
downloading this now :) never had trouble with any themes though but for a Windows XP user a break from the standard is much appreciated, I’ve had some Mac OS themes on my XP but it just doesn’t seem right especially when you know its Windows.
Mike, I’m soo going to get a Mac because you have one.
Echa, it’s usually good to install in safe mode (but then again, who knows. it’s windows). I’ll try that Flyakite out. It seems pretty amusing :)
G, yup a break from the dull default themes is nice. After a while though, the new ones become dull.
Longhorn Transformation Pack
A series of themes for Windows XP which you can use to make your desktop look like Longhorn.
actually I thought that download was pretty poor I think the best one is crystalxp.com.
give it a try.
I am going to try LH Xformation Pack 10.5
Before installing, could anyone be so kind to inform me if this pack can be uninstalled in case I find it not to my liking?
I heard that it can’t. Can this pack be uninstalled?
Thanks in advance.
A G
Yes it can be definitely uninstalled. It restores the original files, graphics, and themes. But it may still leave some useless files that may slow down your computer.
Why does everyone think that Tiger has the best interface ever? I don’t find it so appealing nor intuitive. I just happen to like the Windows classic skin more.
hello every1
i hav a serious problem with my longhorn bootscreen..i selected da HDC bootscreen.but it didnt turn out after the installation.the rest is too much fine..its superb..the only problem is my bootscreen..i m getting norman winxp bootscreen rather than HDC Bootscreen..could any1 post me reply solving this kinda problem..pls mail me 2 my yahoo account..
thanks