Help me make my Windows desktop bearable!

[aysiu]

So I love my Ubuntu, but that's at home.

At work, I have to use Windows XP, which is not a terrible operating system. I just find it boring.

So far, I've opted for the Silver XP (instead of the default Luna) theme. I have the iFox theme on Firefox and the Crossover theme on Thunderbird.

I also changed up some of the default desktop icons for some more Mac- and Linux-friendly ones.

Of course, the wallpaper is the most noticeable change from the boring meadow with blue sky XP comes with.

Are there any other suggestions/tutorials on how to trip out my work desktop? I don't want to install new software (Windowblinds or whatnot), and I definitely don't want to spend any money on anything.

[briancurtin]

although i have heard it is memory-intensive, someone has made a OSX-like application dock that looked pretty nice. i cant think of the name off the top of my head, but if you like that style and have a decent amount of memory to throw around, that might be worth a shot to you.

ill ask around for that application name, or if someone knows it, feel free to chime in.

[Stormy Eyes]

Sorry, aysiu, I can't turn a sow's ear into a silk purse.

[nobodysbusiness]

There was a post on Digg a while ago about the Dell Decrapifier program to get rid of all the AOL trials, etc that come on a new Dell. Maybe give that a try if you haven't manually decrapified it already. A few months ago, I also had the problem of being forced to work on Windows XP at work, and I devised a novel solution: I got a new job. Do you think that might possibly help to improve your user-experience with your work computer? :)

[ComplexNumber]

aysiu
here (http://old.bink.nu/downloads.htm) are some useful links for downloads and theming tutorials and stuff. you may find this (http://www.gimptalk.com/forum/topic/Windows-Xp-Themeing-951-last.html) more your cup 'o' tea.

[Sgood1971]

Try WindowBlinds, lot's of themeing/skinning there. Desktop sidebar is also good.

[egon spengler]

One of these (shellenhancer) requires installation, the rest just edit the registry startup list or one system file.

Apply the uxtheme.dll hack (http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=140707) then head to deviantart to get a visual style (http://browse.deviantart.com/skins/windows/visualstyle/).

Y'z dock and shadow are useless but nice looking apps. Shadow is basically the XP version of xcompmgr and dock is a clone of the osx dock. Apple stopped distribution of the dock but I found it pretty easily on google.

ShellEnhancer (http://www.nuonsoft.net/shellenhancer/features.php) lets you roll up windows, pin windows and set transparency for inactive windows among many other things.

bblean (http://bb4win.sourceforge.net/bblean/) is a windows port of blackbox. Personally I think that litesep (http://www.ls-themes.org/index.php?cat=themes) is a better replacement shell but bblean is a lot easier to set up and get going

[RavenOfOdin]

I recognize that you don't want to install new software, but unfortunately the software that MS provides you with leaves you with little in the way of options.

If you're comfortable with running a different shell, try LiteStep (http://www.litestep.net).

Very customizable and themeable.
I used it for a while before putting Ubuntu on my XP box.

Print out the installation docs and keep them handy, though, because installing this involves a fair share of Regedit hacking.

[aktiwers]

When I used windows, I also used Litestep as shell. Great shell :)

Also I have and still are a heavy user of http://www.shellcity.net/ , they have lots of great links to hand picked good shell extensions and other great stuff.

But then again, you will have to download some software to use it.

If your XP hangs a little I can recoment this little fix, that makes it a bit faster on the frame rates:
http://www.pagehosting.co.uk/rf/

Sorry if im too offtopic here ;)

EDIT:

Found a screenshot of Litestep running on my Old XP Install:
Here
(http://www.bannerxpro.com/nyskrivebord.JPG)

[Immaculate]

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/18591720/

Clearlooks theme. Includes a gnome clearlooks and an ubuntu one.

Someone accually suggested I make a tutorial on how to make XP like linux once. Never got around to it :/

On the other side of things, if you want an OSX look:

http://osx.portraitofakite.com/

Not just a theme. A whole desktop, with many programs included to make XP like OSX.


Sorry, aysiu, I can't turn a sow's ear into a silk purse.

So negative.

[egon spengler]

Print out the installation docs and keep them handy, though, because installing this involves a fair share of Regedit hacking.

If you use Omar's installer all it take is a double click

[aysiu]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll look into those links!

[briancurtin]

I don't want to install new software (Windowblinds or whatnot)

Try WindowBlinds
good suggestion...

[Dynamite]

One of these (shellenhancer) requires installation, the rest just edit the registry startup list or one system file.

Apply the uxtheme.dll hack (http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=140707) then head to deviantart to get a visual style (http://browse.deviantart.com/skins/windows/visualstyle/).

Here are two Ubuntu Human Clearlooks themes for XP from deviantart:
ClearLooks for Windows XP (http://www.deviantart.com/view/18591720/)
ClearLooks Compact (http://www.deviantart.com/view/21998548/)
Hope you like them.

[fuscia]

aysiu, have you ever tried the black japan theme for both firefox and thunderbird? it's been my favorite for quite a while.

[aysiu]

aysiu, have you ever tried the black japan theme for both firefox and thunderbird? it's been my favorite for quite a while. Yes, I've tried BlackJapan, and I like it, except the gray progress bar with the lines in it.

[fuscia]

Yes, I've tried BlackJapan, and I like it, except the gray progress bar with the lines in it.

i disabled the progress bar (i hate those things) and i also opened the .jar and got rid of those stupid little favicons before i installed the theme. i love the look of it. i try other things occassionally and five minutes later, i'm back to black japan.

[Sgood1971]

good suggestion...
I was making a quick reply from work, and I did not take the time to read the whole post, just skimmed it quickly. I apologize and will read more carefully next time. ](*,)

Are we compensating for someting? :rolleyes:

[ice60]

Apply the uxtheme.dll hack (http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=140707) then head to deviantart to get a visual style (http://browse.deviantart.com/skins/windows/visualstyle/).
i agree with the above. the DLL is hacked to allow themes which aren't signed by MS so there are no extra resources neeeded. if you do it make sure you are ready to reboot because it does it straight away :-# :mrgreen:

you can change your icons with this. they need to be in the .ico format to work with Windows
http://www.cursorarts.com/ca_aifw.html

here are some icons if you want them
http://www.iconaholic.com/downloads.html#xp-icandy-1

[ice60]

here's a really cool :cool: program called GT Ripple. it does take up resources but it doesn't have to run very often. it makes your wallpaper ripple like water :D
http://www.gtdesktop.com/?page=gtdesktop_website/gtripple

if you do the DLL hack here's somewhere to look for themes
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showforum=36

this one is popular
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=425759

download link (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/29511577/)

you can put the new themes here if you get any -
WINDOWS>resources>themes

[graabein]

If you miss the beautiful fonts of GNOME like the default gedit font, try this thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=172682&page=1&pp=10).

I now have Vera Sans Mono typeface in Visual Studio at work. It sure beats ye olde Courier New. ;)

[aysiu]

Once again, thanks to all for the suggestions. It'll take me a while to research all those links and implement them. I think I'm good for now. Thank you for your time.

[bored2k]

So I love my Ubuntu, but that's at home.

At work, I have to use Windows XP, which is not a terrible operating system. I just find it boring.

So far, I've opted for the Silver XP (instead of the default Luna) theme. I have the iFox theme on Firefox and the Crossover theme on Thunderbird.

I also changed up some of the default desktop icons for some more Mac- and Linux-friendly ones.

Of course, the wallpaper is the most noticeable change from the boring meadow with blue sky XP comes with.

Are there any other suggestions/tutorials on how to trip out my work desktop? I don't want to install new software (Windowblinds or whatnot), and I definitely don't want to spend any money on anything.
You, that's an ugly desktop. I prefer Windows' good ol' Classic theme x-D.

[briancurtin]

I was making a quick reply from work, and I did not take the time to read the whole post, just skimmed it quickly. I apologize and will read more carefully next time. ](*,)

Are we compensating for someting? :rolleyes:
yes. i compensated for your inability to read. thank me later.

i also agree with bored2k. when i need to use windows, its on the classic style.

[styven]

dock for XP if anyone is still interested
http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/

I used to use in my windows days, has live thumbnails of open apps minimised in dock, you know the new big thing they going on about in vista.

http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/MediaGuide/index.6.jpg

[forrestcupp]

The problem is, the more things you install into Windows to make it more like something else, the slower it runs. My wife installed software on her windows computer at work that gave her 4 workspaces, like we're used to in Linux. It slowed her computer down to almost a halt, and she had to uninstall it. I just laughed at her and told her Linux users have been used to having that without problems for years.

[aysiu]

This is driving me batty.

I tried BBLean. Seemed to be good for a while, but then it started interfering with our database program and with Notepad++

I tried the uxtheme.dll hack, and that seemed great, too, but it made OpenOffice and Windows logout hang.

I can't, for the life of me, figure out how to use LiteStep.

I'm back to vanilla Windows at work, and it sucks...

[Polygon]

rklauncher (google it) is a simple program that emulates a mac os X dock.

basically download the program, unzip the folder, put it in your douments, run the exe and then you can drag off all the default stuff you dont want and drag icons to it. In settings you can change the position and a bunch of other stuff like size/magnification/transparancy. And make a shortcut of it and drag it to startup programs if you want it to startup automatically.

[Albi]

Why dont you switch to classic view and try to make it look like gnome?

[aysiu]

Why dont you switch to classic view and try to make it look like gnome? I've tried that. It's okay. I also themed Thunderbird and Firefox to use Tango/Human. I'm working to get whatever I can... and have stability.


rklauncher (google it) is a simple program that emulates a mac os X dock.

basically download the program, unzip the folder, put it in your douments, run the exe and then you can drag off all the default stuff you dont want and drag icons to it. In settings you can change the position and a bunch of other stuff like size/magnification/transparancy. And make a shortcut of it and drag it to startup programs if you want it to startup automatically. I'd really to redo the whole look, but I'll give rklauncher a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

[trstn]

although i have heard it is memory-intensive, someone has made a OSX-like application dock that looked pretty nice. i cant think of the name off the top of my head, but if you like that style and have a decent amount of memory to throw around, that might be worth a shot to you.

ill ask around for that application name, or if someone knows it, feel free to chime in.

You mean rocketdock by punk software i think: link (http://www.rocketdock.com/). It's not so bar on menory.

I'd recommend Lclock as well link (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Clocks-Time-Management/LClock.shtml) . It's a longhorn based clock but you can configure it to move your start menu to beneath it (click the time for start menu).

Use Lclock and stick the tastbar at the top of your screen and it'll look like the top bar of a gnome desktop.

:)

[raul_]

Old thread, but i figured it wouldn't do no harm to throw my 2 cents.

When i was using windows, without having any idea what Linux was, i ended up using Blackbox for Windows, which is basically...erm...a Blackbox version that...runs in Windows...Well, moving along!

I remember it wasn't very difficult to install, but that was 3 years ago, so i can't tell you step by step but here is the link http://www.bb4win.org/news.php


And some screenshots (those really worth the click):

http://www.boxshots.org/

[picpak]

I tried that once...I found it annoying...

You gotta try out Talisman Desktop (http://www.lighttek.com/talisman.htm). It can make a Windows desktop look pretty cool (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/picpak/screenshot.png).

[aysiu]

Ah, but Talisman is $25.

[picpak]

It has a 30-day trial...I just reinstall Windows every 30 days, lol, that's how much I love it.

[aysiu]

It has a 30-day trial...I just reinstall Windows every 30 days, lol, that's how much I love it.
Unfortunately, at work (the one place I have to use Windows), I don't have the luxury of reinstalling every 30 days. Sorry.

[PatrickMay16]

Try changing to the windows classic theme, and then you can specifiy your own color scheme. However, if you do this, you'll lose some features of the "luna" look. This is the key. And then, it's delicious. This is unbeatable. However, if you do this this then there is danger that you'll be marked by the office staff from next time on; it's a double-edged sword. I can't recommend it to amateurs.

[aysiu]

Funny you should mention that, PatrickMay16. That's exactly what I ended up doing.

I tried that weird kernel hack thing. I tried FlyaKite. I tried BBLean. I tried LiteStep. Eventually, the only thing that seemed to give me any flexibility, stability, functionality, and cost-freedom... was just using regular Windows and going with a customized "classic." It still looks ugly and makes me sad, but not as sad as Luna or Silver.

[karellen]

I use a vista theme which makes xp looks very slick. I really like the glassy appearance. I don't know where I I found it, you can google it and I'm sure you'll find it

[23meg]

I tried that weird kernel hack thing.

Do you mean the uxtheme.dll hack?

Also, look into Launchy (http://www.launchy.net/), a launcher similar to Deskbar and Quicksilver. If you like to launch apps by typing their name, you can live without a start menu with this.

[jenny_psion]

Hi!

I also have one Windows machine (XP), and I used CrystalXP (BricoPacks) to make it look nice. http://www.crystalxp.net/
Apparently it doesn't slow down the PC because it's embedded in the BIOS or something... and from my experience, my PC is just as fast as it was before. Whenever someone now sees my desktop, they think I am running Linux.

Have fun! :popcorn:
psion.

[aysiu]

Yes, the uxtheme.dll hack.

I actually have keyboard shortcuts in Windows for launching my most-used applications. Windows limits you to Ctrl-Alt-letter name, but I can live with that.

[Ptero-4]

I have a question for those still running any pre-XP *******. How can you do to make the XP "Start menu panel" using LiteStep?

[WiseElben]

Try WindowBlinds, lot's of themeing/skinning there. Desktop sidebar is also good.

Never! WindowBlinds is a waste of memory and it hurts your eyes. Those themes... they just don't fit. There are too many bugs, small ones like missing images here and there, that makes the whole theme utterly useless and ugly. I myself use the Windows Classic look.

[aysiu]

Never! WindowBlinds is a waste of memory and it hurts your eyes. Those themes... they just don't fit. There are too many bugs, small ones like missing images here and there, that makes the whole theme utterly useless and ugly. I myself use the Windows Classic look.
And don't forget Windowblinds' nagware...

[OrangeCrate]

On my Windows partition, I keep a clean desktop to display different backgrounds - I change them weekly, or so. All of my applications are in the tray. I also prefer the green theme, that has orange highlights, so it's pleasing to my eye. That's my scheme in Ubuntu too. The Human theme blends nicely with my Windows setup. Since I do all of my work in "windows", and seldom use full screen, I prefer the clean desktop.

[Onyros]

Many moons ago I used something like this:

http://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=onyrosdesktop2si.jpg

Mainly using ObjectDock (all 3 panels are ObjectDocks).

It was mainly inspired by the fact that I worked, on a daily basis, with Mac OS X and wanted something that could emulate the dock.

(the fact it has a prancing horse in a few places is that the laptop I had back then was an Acer Ferrari ;))

[Ptero-4]

Aysiu. You migh want to try the zune, royale and royale noir visual styles. They´re official so you can run them without the uxtheme.dll hack.

[Tristam Green]

I almost got caught by it.

NECROMANCERY :|

[Exodist]

Try WindowBlinds, lot's of themeing/skinning there. Desktop sidebar is also good.
She said no windowblinds..


EDIT:

O dang this thread is OLD!! I just noticed.. LOL