7 Tips for Windows XP Makeover
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Recently I transformed my desktop, which used to look like this -
It has taken considerable amount of my time, and I’ll try to save you from doing the same. So lets get started! You will need the following -
Tip 1 # Get a Dock
A dock is the replacement for your Windows taskbar. It provides a hassle free access to the most used programs, while looking great. We’ll try to emulate the Mac OS X Dock.
There are a number of docks available -
- RocketDock
- 6 MB
- Free
- ObjectDock Docklets: Supported (docklet: is a plugin for a Dock)
- Stable, easy to setup and use
- Skinnable
- Stardock ObjectDock
- 12 MB
- basic version is free, you can buy ObjectDock Plus for ~20$
- ObjectDock Docklets: Natively supported
- Feature rich, provides many bells and whistles
- Skinnable
- MobyDock
- 3.5 MB
- free
- ObjectDock Docklets: NOT sure, probably not supported
- Y’Z Dock(google for it)
- RK Launcher
- 700 Kb (smallest footprint!)
- Free
- ObjectDock Docklets: NOT sure, probably not supported
- MakeUseOf Blog gives a better detailed roundup of the different Docks available in their post Docks – The 6 Best Friends of your Windows Taskbar.
I would recommend using RocketDock as it is pretty stable, free, and has a thriving community of enthusiasts creating skins and docklets (example: KK Menu etc) for it. I didn’t notice it affecting my system’s performance at all once loaded, and it also supports the Stacks Docklet.
Tip 2 # Get Stacks Docklet
Stacks will let you keep a neat dock, while boosting your productivity. Read more about stacks on Apple’s Mac OS X site or on Mac OS X Tips blog. To support similar functionality in our transformation, we’ll need the “Stacks Docklet”, you can get it either here or here. To use this docklet, unpack the file in the “Docklets” sub-folder inside either RocketDock or ObjectDock installation folder.
Tip 3 # Make Windows taskbar translucent
Transbar (~100kb size) – this is a tiny utility that will let you change the alpha setting for existing windows taskbar. That means you can make the taskbar just a bit transparent so that it can peacefully co-exist with your shiny new dock. You can also set the taskbar to autohide mode, so that it becomes totally non-obstrusive with the new setup.
Tip 4 # Do the Icons!
To give a fresh look and feel to the system icons too, we will use Stardock’s Icon Packager. It enables one to change most of the system icons together in a bunch with a single click, rather than having to change them individually (and painfully). There are tonnes of eye-candy Icon packages available on the net. Check out the links at end of the post for a few such sites. Boogiesbc.ro has compiled a good list of “41 of the best IconPackager skins“.
Tip 5 # Adios, fugly “Run window”. Welcome ‘Launchy’!
Launchy, the keystroke program launcher. I am totally in love with this cute application. Here’s what its author has to say about it -
“Launchy is a free windows and linux utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager. Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes!”
Tip 6 # Rainlendar
Rainlendar – Its a very usable and customizable desktop calendar with events, alarms and to-do list. Plus it is skinnable and has a large number of good looking skins available.
Tip 7 # Get Widgetized
Add cuteness and efficiency to your desktop! Widgets are the tiny, cute programs that can stay on your desktop, and update themselves with dynamic content off the web, mostly. To run widgets on your desktop, you either need to have them natively built into your OS, like in Windows Vista or Apple’s Mac OS Dashboard OR you can run them by installing a widget engine yourself. The most prominent widget engines are Google Desktop (they call their widgets as gadgets ) and Yahoo! Widgets. The technology blog Forevergeek.com provides a good comparison of Yahoo Yahoo! Widgets vis a vis Google Gadgets.
Explore -
- Windows interface modding communities -
- CrystalXP.net – A community to help you discover Graphics and Windows’ customization
- OSX-E.com – Mac emulation resources
- Transformation Packs
- These are all-in-one (AIO) packs, you do not have to go to multiple sites, install multiple programs to transform your desktop. These packages contain all the apps, skins and tweaks to provide the same effect, in a simple manner, and with a single installer. I have not tested any of them, as they generally mess with Window’s system DLLs which, to me, means making the system a bit unstable. Last time I installed a transformation pack, it seriously degraded the performance, and so I am even more biased against them. I prefer and recommend the slow but safer way to transform your system. Check them out (at your risk) here -
- FlyAKite
- VistaOSX.net
- A good roundup of “5 Packs to Transform Windows to other OS” on MakeUseOf blog
- These are all-in-one (AIO) packs, you do not have to go to multiple sites, install multiple programs to transform your desktop. These packages contain all the apps, skins and tweaks to provide the same effect, in a simple manner, and with a single installer. I have not tested any of them, as they generally mess with Window’s system DLLs which, to me, means making the system a bit unstable. Last time I installed a transformation pack, it seriously degraded the performance, and so I am even more biased against them. I prefer and recommend the slow but safer way to transform your system. Check them out (at your risk) here -
- Resources for icons, wallpapers, skins -
- deviantART – where ART meets application
- Customize.org – the original skins and themes site, since 1998
- WinCustomize – Your home for Vista and XP themes, skins, wallpapers, dreamscenes, icons and everything you need to customize your pc
- SKINBASE.org
Note: Trying out “Live blogging with Docs” feature of Google Docs for this post. Let me know if you notice any glitches.
Please, Please, Please could you tell me the skin or dock used for your dock in tips-for-windows-makeover???
I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find anything similar with tapered edges.
Would save me so much googleling!
Awesome tips as well, never thought of doing anything with XP until reading this and seeing your desktop pics!
Many Thanks
i wnat mac os
Great job!
Just tried out the launchy and transbar, they are cool, no issues at all, going for a complete makeover soon…
addition..
if u need dreamscene
just try this
good
httP://www.coro.co.nr
Thanks fery !
Thanks, this is great. SO why did it take Microsoft 8 years to add this to XP to make windows 7.
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Thank you for sharing this information. I used a bit of your post (transparent taskbar) in my post of 5 Freeware Windows Utilities to Simplify Everyday Tasks. Go on and have a look here:
http://bigleapforward.wordpress.com/2009/08/08/5-freeware-windows-utilities-to-simplify-everyday-tasks/
get a mac instead
An amazing way to beautify the Windows XP screen buddy.
Thanks for sharing the info and links.
tanx 4 ur amazing tricks!
could u tell me, how can I get rid of recycle bin icon on my desktop?!
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I’ve tried many of these. Mostly they look better than they run. Don’t expect a more stable system with these cosmetic apps installed to windows’ core interface. But it will be prettier. I’ve heard good things about Launchy but the other stuff I’d be very careful with. Backup everything first and be prepared for a system reinstall.
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But it’s just BLING.
I have a netbook with only 8GB SSD so how feasible is this for me? If you had to prioritize, which ones are ‘must have’ or give ‘most bang for drive space’?
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Simply awesome!! Thanks for such a wonderful post!!!
Your original Windows looks far neater than mine! Many thanks for the tips. I’m off to neaten up my desktop.
i love to GET WIDGETIZED
Can i suggest you Circle Dock too?
Enjoy it ; )
http://circledock.wikidot.com/
Thanks for writing this great blog I really enjoyed.
Dear creator,
Awesome!
I think that your idea ROCKS!!!!:)
Another good one: search google for “leopardxp bricopack”!:)
hi….would you like to upload ur wallpaper? I luv it!!!
I’m having problems with getting the stacks. None of my programs will open dll files and I don’t know how to unpack the files into the objectdock one.. Could you please help me?
I find no wallpaper like that, where should i search it?
This is the Towels Clearance sale hub page. Hope this works !
Your tips and links were really helpful. Thanx a lot mate. Keep up the good work