Windows XP Themes

Andrew · February 9, 2005

Just wondering what WinXP themes people are using, and whether they are using StyleXP.

I remember hearing that having a black theme (black background white text) is better for the eyes.

I did some searching, but there didn't seem to be anything special out there.

I installed StyleXP, tried installing a WinXP theme and it took a while to get it to work.

I then uninstalled it. Don't know if I am ready to change from windows classic theme. It's so darned efficient and simple!

Hope those themes that came with StyleXP under desktop/properties/themes/theme: (pick from the list of themes) goes away when I reboot. If not, any tips on how to get rid of them would be helpful. I uninstalled the software.

nemafakei · February 9, 2005

I've got XP, but made it to look like Win '98 (Maple, I think is the particular scheme). And you can choose far more colour schemes like that, if you want.

Megashrap · February 9, 2005

I use the classic start menu appearance, for some reason the xp style just seems like a start menu, folders, etc. for dummies type of look to me. Guess i'm just used to older Windows look n feel.

Andrew · February 9, 2005

I dislike the winxp start menu also. They rearranged everything... and I think it take the my computer off of the desktop.

Caid Ivik · February 9, 2005

I turned to XP few weeks ago, and I turned nearly all interface parts to those like I had on Win98 ;D Few things are good, ie modificability of toolbars or programs are crashing on desktop (altough in fact crashing more than on W98...), few worse. From these esthetical things, is it possible to create own "theme" within system options?

TMA_1 · February 10, 2005

XP is a good os, I mean it is stable, is fast on a good computer, and is pretty user friendly.

It is huge though, and it can go a little too far in protecting people from screwing up their comps. It is hard to access a lot of the details of windows xp than it is for just say, win 2000.

I do like the new look though, It matches well with some of the digital blasphamy pictures I have. I also use this xp manipulator tool that allows you to make the taskbar and whatnot translucent, which makes it look awesome. :)

DukeLeto · February 10, 2005

I use the XP default or Silver, depending on my mood. Aside from that, I don't use any custom styles. And personally, I prefer the XP stuff to the WIn98 stuff.

Note: TO put the "My Computer" icon on the desktop in WInXP, go to the startmenui, right click on the My Computer icon, and make sure there is a check next to "Show icon on desktop."

erjin999 · February 10, 2005

I use the XP default or Silver, depending on my mood. Aside from that, I don't use any custom styles. And personally, I prefer the XP stuff to the WIn98 stuff.
Note: TO put the "My Computer" icon on the desktop in WInXP, go to the startmenui, right click on the My Computer icon, and make sure there is a check next to "Show icon on desktop."

I was getting worried there would be no one that I could agree with on this thread. ::)

XP is better laid out in my opinion. I didnt take too long to get used to it and have had it for ages. I use, for work, many computers using 98, ME, 2000 and XP. The easiest to work with is XP. I dont go into themes too much because I dont want unecessary stuff runnning on my comp if i dont need it, which i dont for themes (I might try it out, but would quickly uninstall it when the novelty value went).

My only complaint for a while was the control panel was funky but even that seems logical now. I guess its what you are used to. Plus older people take longer to get used to new ideas :P

Caid Ivik · February 10, 2005

I do like the new look though, It matches well with some of the digital blasphamy pictures I have. I also use this xp manipulator tool that allows you to make the taskbar and whatnot translucent, which makes it look awesome. :)

Wow, where is that program?

Khan · February 10, 2005

I use silver, I can't see the point of customized skins, they are so frivolous

nemafakei · February 10, 2005

In defence of the win 98 scheme, the start menu, task bar (29px), the title bars (18px), and so forth are all more compact than the xp scheme. It's therefore more functional per pixel. And I'm grateful to SP2 for allowing the status bar of directory windows to be permanent; that way, you can see total file sizes at a glance, and you don't need that huge margin. As to the control panel, why bother going through umpteen menus to select what you could just select the first time round?

Khan · February 10, 2005

No thats not what I mean, I mean people who go round the internet looking for schemes, the ones which come with XP are ok.

nemafakei · February 11, 2005

Sorry, should have clarified: defence against erjin/Leto/some combination of the two which seems to have coalesced in my tired brain.

Dante · February 11, 2005

When I got XP (some time ago now) I just adapted to it without changing anything. Why bother? Just uses up time that could be used for less useful but more fun activities. The only thing I change is the background, though I did once go through a period of about twenty four hours using that Ordos theme...

Vanguard3000 · February 11, 2005

I've never liked the XP blue (or silver) look. It looks like it's been encased in plastic for babyproofing or something. On my computer, I use the 'classic' theme. Anything else seems like a waste of time; it would be nice if people (you know who I'm referring to) paid attention to how things worked, rather than how they looked.

Kiyouta · February 15, 2005

I use silver, I can't see the point of customized skins, they are so frivolous

Indeed they are. I used to use silver until I thought I was going colour blind so went back to the blue one.

No thats not what I mean, I mean people who go round the internet looking for schemes, the ones which come with XP are ok.

And those stupid 'out-of-this-world' wallpapers too. >:(

Andrew · February 15, 2005

What is this silver theme that you are all talking about that comes with windows XP?

I don't seem to have it. Unless it is the windows classic theme.

slaphapy · February 15, 2005

What is this silver theme that you are all talking about that comes with windows XP?
I don't seem to have it. Unless it is the windows classic theme.

nah, in windows XP style there are 3 choices of color: default (blue), olive green, and silver.

to get myself on topic, I personally use olive green...

nemafakei · February 15, 2005

I suspect different versions ship with different themes. SP0 (so to speak), as I recall, had no green theme. And I would guess some configuration, e.g. an upgrade from an old OS, might not give silver.

Andrew · February 15, 2005

I have WinXP service pack 2, and I did not upgrade from a previous OS.

[attachment archived by Gobalopper]

slaphapy · February 15, 2005

go to the appearance tab andrew...

Andrew · February 15, 2005

I see that now, but funny, I can't seem to get the winxp theme. Even when I turn on the option of "Use visual styles on windows and buttons", But when I go back into the same option it is unchecked again...

I don't have silver under the appearance tab eithor.

slaphapy · February 15, 2005

wierd... this is what mine looks like... (see olive green! hehe)

[attachment archived by Gobalopper]

nemafakei · February 15, 2005

Are you aware that your title bar is not antialiased?

Sounds like some safe-mode-esque setup.

slaphapy · February 15, 2005

Are you aware that your title bar is not antialiased?
Sounds like some safe-mode-esque setup.

I think it is just the picture program i used... that or it may be the omega drivers i installed so long ago

Sign In

Windows XP Themes

Recommended Posts

Andrew

nemafakei

Megashrap

Andrew

Caid Ivik

TMA_1

DukeLeto

erjin999

Caid Ivik

Khan

nemafakei

Khan

nemafakei

Dante

Vanguard3000

Kiyouta

Andrew

slaphapy

nemafakei

Andrew

slaphapy

Andrew

slaphapy

nemafakei

slaphapy

Join the conversation

Activity

Important Information