If you want the look and feel of Windows 7 without the hassle of playing with the beta that is currently out, although, from the feedback I have read, it’s not really a hassle, but an improvement so far, there are a bunch of Windows 7 themes for Windows XP you can try out now. You can also add some of the features to your XP machine, such as Aero shake, Aero snap, you can change your dialog boxes and much more. Links await you below.
Windows 7 M1 Theme for Windows XP
Windows 7 System Properties for Windows XP
Now this site, Tweaking with Vishal, has some really good tutorials on how to make themes and the other customizations work in Windows, I have linked to some of the more interesting tutorials below.
Transform Windows XP into Windows 7 without using Customization Pack This one shows you how to do the Windows Theme or Visual Style, the Icons, the Boot Screen, the Login or Welcome Screen, Taskbar, Wallpapers, Progress Dialog Box, Shutdown / Log off Dialog Box, the About Windows Box, System Properties Dialog Box and add extras like “Aero Shake”, “Aero Snap”, “Aero Peek”, “Calculator” and “WordPad”.
[AIO] Ultimate Tutorial to Customize Desktop Context Menu in Windows Vista, Server 2008 and Windows 7 This one shows you how to add your desired application shortcuts in Desktop context menu e.g. Windows Media Player, Firefox, Winamp, Opera, Chrome, etc, you can add new useful options like Change Wallpaper, Change Theme, Change Cursor, Task Manager, Folder Options, Device Manager, Run, Search, Aero On/Off, etc in Desktop context menu, you can add any website link in Desktop context menu, you can remove unwanted options like your Graphics card settings from Desktop context menu.
Transform Windows Vista in Windows 7 without Customization pack
Transform Windows XP in Windows Vista without Customization pack
Many, many great tutorials and how to’s are listed, definitely a site worth checking out.
