DIY Computer Repairs

Give Vista A Windows 7 Make Over

You really wanted your windows vista to look as good as windows 7.  We all know that there’s bricko packs for XP.  Here’s the solution to make Windows Vista look like Windows 7.   The guides here not only changes the theme only, but also includes certain new features that are in Windows 7.  Have you been tugging at your parents clothes for the latest version of windows promising to be a good boy for the rest of your life.  Rolling and wailing on the ground did not help either.  The most annoying thing about windows is that it comes up with lots of eye candy with every new version of windows but we know that there is actually nothing much of difference in the actual engine.

There’s a way to make your vista look cool and windows 7 look alike and I am not talking about Windows RC or telling you to download and resort to piracy.  You can change the entire look of your vista if you stop wailing and crying for the new windows.  Here’s what you need to do.

1) Pin applications to the windows task menu.

First right click on the task bar and choose toolbars and follow by quick launch, this step is not required if your quick launch is already activated by default. Drag the icon of the program you wish to pin from the start menu to the lower left hand side of the task bar menu near the start button.  Release the mouse and this will drop the icon into the task bar.  Right click on the task bar and select ” lock the taskbar ” to remove the tick.  Now you will see that the area near the icons on the left side turns into dots and you can actually click and drag it longer.  While the task bar is unlocked, right click on the taskbar, at the area before the dots but not on the icons and select view menu,  and choose large icons.

If you want something more cool, you can just install the Rocket Dock that gives you a Mac like dock on your desktop. Then you can choose to hide the start menu and only see the dock.

You can also download VistaGlazz program that allows you to use 3rd party themes on vista.  Install it and agree to the terms.  Now you can get custom themes for a total make over for your vista.  Find your themes from Deviantart and download it.  Unpack it to a folder and go into the theme folder.  Copy both the “windows 7″ file and the ” windows 7 ” folder and paste it into c:\windows\resources\themes.

Then right click anywhere on your desktop and choose personalize.  Click on theme and you should be able to select the windows 7 theme from the drop down menu.  But if you don’t see it there, you can click on browse, to c:\windows\resources\themes and click on the windows 7 file.  Then apply.  Volia, you got the new look.  Just find the wallpaper of your choice and the tweak is done.

2) Areo shake

This is something new from windows 7 that allows you to click on one window and hold your mouse and shake it from left to right.  This will minimize all other windows that are opened and only opening the one you are holding on to.  You can install this feature onto vista from here

3) Areosnap

This is one windows 7 feature that allows you to drag the window to the side and it instantly halves the window for you.  You can download this tweak for vista as well here.

4) Windows 7 calculator

The windows 7 calculator is a beautifully designed piece of application as compared to older version of windows.  Don’t be envy of others as you can have it too.   What are you staring at me for.. ?  Go get it here.  Simply replace the c:\windows\system32\calc.exe with the downloaded one.  Of course backup the original file in case any shit happens.

5) Choosing Wifi networks

The new interface in windows 7 is better and a lot easier, I think vista users had taken lots of piss on the vista wifi issues and so you can use a better replacement called the Netsetman.  Much better user interface and smarter I suppose.

I hope you are now more statisfied with your windows vista.  Not much of a big deal , but better than nothing.  Hope you like this article.