Vista Transformation Pack 8.0.1

Publisher's description of Vista Transformation Pack

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The Vista Transformation Pack is for Windows users who want to replicate the look and feel of Windows Vista on their Windows XP or Windows 2003 systems. After using this desktop enhancement to modify your Windows interface to look like Windows Vista Ultimate, no one will notice you're using the same old Windows XP (or 2003) operating system.

Version 8.0.1 includes the ability to save transforming information for later uses and unattended transformation and to detect the targeted machine and give suggested setup configuration; some transformation procedures refinements you should look at like preconfigure on first run; removed obsolete dialogs and MSN skin; and other improvements.

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Editor's review of Vista Transformation Pack

If you can't wait to swap your boring old hourglass for a new shiny, spinning blue circle (among countless other icon and front-end changes to your system), but don't want to bother with actually upgrading from Windows XP to the Vista operating system, here's your download. The Vista Transformation Pack won't get you the Aero-style interface unless you have the complementary skinning software WindowBlinds, but it will give you just about every other part of the Vista look that's applicable to the XP system.

The installation went fairly smoothly, although it seems that you will need to have at least a 64MB video card that supports DirectX 8 to run the Vista Transformation Pack, even if you don't want the Aero-style interface. Although the program creates a backup before installing. However, we found that we need to restore all of our Windows display settings (fonts, color schemes) after uninstallation.

Making changes to your original setup choices is a bit difficult. It seems that every little tweak requires restarting Windows. We also ran into a problem with Windows repeatedly restarting. We had to apply a manual force quit, which prompted a Windows diagnostic boot-up screen the next time we restarted.

Vista Transformation Pack has loads of little details that can make your XP computer look as if it's running Vista, without the hassle (or cost) of upgrading. The spinning blue circle totally kicks the XP hourglass' butt. However, a lack of official documentation and some instability issues both help push the program down to the high end of the three-star titles. A few improvements could easily bump it up to four stars.

User reviews of Vista Transformation Pack

• Average user rating: out of 287 votes
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  Vista Transformation Pack

  Promising... Not.

  by: shockwavesn1per on 05-Apr-2008 11:37:07 AM

  Pros: Enjoyed the vivid, visual GUI. Also, liked the slick and sharp icons.

  Cons: Sadly, this software is resource leeching and infested with spyware. Prove me wrong if you may. The program was skeptical at first, because it was from a Mr. X... of course X always sounds untrustworthy. At least have a valid name like... Javacool... or AVG. Pskill application was installed in the system 32 folder, which was a spyware. Unfortunately, my software (AVG and Superantispyware) did not detect it. In addition, from Google research, the Thoosje sidebar is a malware infested taskbar with a dialer attached. I also personally find it... leaching off my RAM and found unnecessary start-ups programs. Stay away. Use at your own Risk. PS. McAfee detected as Red site in SiteAdvisor.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (5 of 5 users said yes)

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  Vista Transformation Pack

  Really Fool

  by: vcdlmp on 21-Mar-2008 07:19:36 AM

  Pros: I love this, my friend came over and said WOW you have Vista Ultimate but deep down inside its really XP or what ever you have. Includes Vista tools that you would get with the real thing!!!!

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (0 of 1 users said yes)

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  Vista Transformation Pack

  Worst Decision,damaged my system

  by: jlpogi23 on 26-May-2008 01:22:06 AM

  Pros: yes,it changes icons,sounds themes,etc

  Cons: this pack will only make your system down

  because it modifies/changes your system files

  even uninstalling it

  there are some left overs

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (1 of 2 users said yes)

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  Vista Transformation Pack

  Works fine! Really makes your xp looks like Vista

  by: BrokenButterfly on 11-Jan-2008 07:16:24 AM

  Pros: Sounds...Icons.....Interface......Everything is marvelous...

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (2 of 5 users said yes)

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  Vista Transformation Pack

  Fully featured, but still needs work

  by: MarioMan94 on 30-Dec-2007 11:15:38 PM

  Pros: It's very accurate, replicating the look of vista. It works even on lower-end machines (i'm running a 1.4 ghz AMD 1600 XP and it's fine). It's free.

  Cons: It's still a bit buggy. (no system errors or malicious programs, though.) Not all of Vista's Aero features are implemented. Wouldn't recomend unless you have a healthy graphics card. (which i don't, but it works nonetheless.) Anti-Virus software may "falsely" detect files in package (pskill.exe.) Don't install Thoosje Sidebar though, since it DOES have spyware.

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