Thread: Giving Vista a new look

We need not make too much effort in this case, since most of the features of Windows 7 look exactly the same as its predecessor. After changing the wallpaper, we are left with pretty much what we want. Since we are not using the new icon-based task bar, we decided to revisit a concept feature from one of the older non-public builds of Windows 7, a circular taskbar.

We'll use Circle Dock, a free and powerful Windows shell customization. The first time you use it, an empty circle appears on screen. You can put links to all your favorite programs here. Subsequently, a simple click is enough to launch the new dock. Since it doesn't automatically launch with Windows, you have to copy a shortcut for it to the Windows Startup folder to make sure it's always running.

Now we can take care of the minute details. For Vista to look just like Windows 7, you must install Service Pack 1 and the VistaGlazz tool. It functions similar to the UxTheme Multi-Patcher that some XP users will be familiar with.



It alters three system files, in order to let you apply personalized desktop themes. To do this in VistaGlazz, click on the second button from the left and select "Patch Style I Patch everything at once". After a computer restart once again launch VistaGlazz. If the grey signs in the selection screen are replaced by green, it indicates that the changes were made in the system file successfully. Now you require a desktop theme like "Windows_7 _ Vista_StyleJinal" available on the website . Unzip the archive in the "Windows\ Resources\Themes" folder. Once this is done. open the "Properties" dialog of the themes folder and here change the permissions to allow complete access to this folder in "Security I Advanced I User". Vista does annoy with dozens of security dialogs, but you simply need to click through all of them. If the folder is unzipped, open the "Themes\ Wi nd ows_7 _ Vi sta_Style\ Windows7" directory; double click on "WindowsT', and finally apply the new style.