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Take Windows XP to the Next Level with the Free Vista Transformation Pack
Written by Dave Gerber, Program Chair, Sarasota PCUG, Florida; member of the Daves Bytes radio team
dave_gerber(at)comcast.net
http://www.davebytes.com

If you don't want to shell out the cash for a copy of Windows Vista, Windows Vista Transformation Pack (VTP) is an easy and free way to emulate Vista's look and feel. I've been playing around with it for a couple of hours now, and it makes for a nice change after looking at the same old XP icons and UI.

VTP bundles together many different applications that mimic Vista's UI in different ways to give you transparent windows, a new Start Menu, a Vista Sidebar, and a new Explorer. Overall, your computer should look revitalized after installing VTP. Everything has a bit of Web 2.0 glossy sheen. 

Install a Vista wallpaper, and you're basically there. There might be some stability issues if you install VTP, so you'll want to be sure before you install it. The good part is that uninstallation is easy: just go to Add or Remove Programs. Some files are overwritten during the process so keep your setup CD handy if you want to undo all the changes.

If you decide to install VTP, you'll have a lot of control over the installation. Check off the things you want changed like boot screen, process manager, or sounds and leave what you want to stay the same unchecked.

Visit Dave’s website at http://www.davebytes.com and click on the January 1 link and scroll down to Dave’s Cool Downloads.

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