Let's admit it: Windows Vista does have some graphical eyecandy that many of us would like to enjoy too, that is, if we could have it without having to give up on our beloved XP.

Well, who say we can't? Here's the trick: download TrueTransparency, copy it to any folder on your hard drive (no installation required) and you'll be able to add a sleek transparency effect to your windows. It's as easy as that! Just bear in mind that it may not work with all your apps (during my tests, for instance, Winamp didn't get the Vista look) but most system windows and standard applications will show off a shiny transparent look.

Like I said, the program doesn't require installation and hardly uses any system resources. From the little icon displayed on the system tray you can change between two different skins, set the program to be run on Windows startup and also close it when you grow tired of so much transparency and want to go back to traditional Windows XP windows.

TrueTransparency is a very quick, simple way to have the Vista transparency effect on your XP windows.

Download TrueTransparency 0.9.3 in Softonic

Clock Tray Skins extends the standard Windows Taskbar clock capabilities. After installing the application your system clock can display seconds, current day and date with skins support. The program displays the time for any of the time zones and over 100 skins are included in the distribution. It's also an atomic-time synchronizer and calendar.

Download Clock Tray Skins 4.1 in Softonic

If you're not content with Windows Vista standard appearance and want to customize it in detail, this program is for you.

Vista Visual Master lets you do loads of changes to Microsoft's new operating system, mainly referring to its visual appearance and graphic design. Tweaks are organized in different categories to make them easier to find and apply. You'll find tools to customize desktop and system icons, change logon screen and boot picture and personalize the OEM information (that is, the PC owner's name) among others. There's also a special tool to patch Windows theme DLL file, in order to be able to use third-party visual themes. The program includes a restoration function as well, in case any tweak doesn't have the desired effect or you simply want to go back to the standard configuration.

What I didn't like about Vista Visual Master is the inclusion of links to other programs under the Vista Extras tab. I felt like they were trying to fool me, while I know this is clearly ads. But then again, at least they're hidden under a tab and don't disturb the program's functionality.

With Vista Visual Master you can customize every single aspect in Windows Vista, from logon screens to desktop icons, in just a couple clicks.

Download Vista Visual Master 1.0.2.0 in Softonic

We can customize our computer in many ways - by changing the screen, the colors of the windows, fonts, cursors etc. Now with Windowpaper XP, you can customize the bottom of your folders.

In Windows 98, this was a standard function although in Windows XP onwards, Microsoft seem to have mysteriously removed it. There, these developers have designed a tool which uses any picture of your choice as the background for a particular folder. It is very easy to use - simply select the folder you want to customize, choose the photo you want to place in it and you're done. You can undo any changes within the main program so you can experiment o your heart's content. You can use photos in the most common formats (BMP, JPG, GIF) and preview the results in real time on the program interface. Be warned however that it's best to use small resolution images and big ones can take ages to render and can actually slow your folders down. You can also modify all the folders within a folder by checking the "include subfolders" option so that you don't need to go through every single one separately.

A very nice little utility that performs a function that still should come as standard in Windows anyway. it's not essential but it makes your folders look much cooler.

Download Windowpaper XP 1.01 in Softonic

Since its launch about a year ago, Windows Vista has been widely criticized for several reasons: security restrictions, poor usability, lack of actual new features when compared to XP…

But what nobody complained about was the cool eye-candy included in Microsoft's new operating system, such as the 3D system to switch between active applications. What's more, this particular Vista feature has been turned into a software tool that enables you to enjoy that same 3D window switcher in Windows XP.

WinFlip is very easy to use. Simply unzip the file (no installation required), launch the program and you're ready to go. If you want to use it instead of the standard Alt+Tab, press the Windows key+Tab combination. All your active apps and opened windows will be displayed in an attractive 3D environment, where you can flip among them by pressing Tab repeatedly or choose a certain window by pressing the key associated with it.

WinFlip worked fine during our tests, although sometimes the content of some of the windows turned to complete white or complete black while flipping through them. I guess it's just a matter of further development.

WinFlip is an easy, simple - and above all, very cheap - way to have the 3D Flip function in Windows XP.

Download WinFlip 0.42 in Softonic

The Vista sidebar was one of the most popular new features included in Microsoft's operating system, and it still remains as a very attractive way to display information bits in the shape of customizable gadgets. Now, with Windows Sidebar Styler, you can customize it even more and take advantage of all its possibilities.

This neat tool includes several skins (called "styles") to change the sidebar's appearance, as long as the ability to freely resize it. It will also allow you to run more gadgets because it supports WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation).

Windows Sidebar Styler is easy to install, but I had some problems while testing it. The styles didn't seem to work, the program displayed a "installation successful" message but nothing changed. After reading the develeoper's blog, I found out that you may have to change permissions in the folder AppData\Windows Sidebar Styler directory and make it writable, or just restart your sidebar completely.

Customize your Vista sidebar with styles and more powerful gadgets.

Download Windows Sidebar Styler 2.0.6 in Softonic

Windows XP supports transparency, which can be applied to your desktop to obtain attractive effects. One of them is having a transparent taskbar that almost blends with the desktop Wallpaper.

With Transbar you can easily apply this effect on your own computer. Simply launch the program and select the percentage of transparency you'd like to have. You can see the results in real time! Also, the program can be set to be run at Windows startup so that you don't have to manually change it every time you launch Windows.

Just one tip: be aware of the folder where you install Transbar. My copy decided to install itself in some really deeply hidden folder instead of the standard Program files and, as I didn't notice it, I spent some time looking for it.

Add a cool transparency effect to your XP taskbar in a couple of clicks!

Download Transbar 1.4.2 in Softonic

LClock empowers Windows standard clock with a nicer look and an easier-to-use calendar that also features a basic alarm system.

Once installed, LClock enables you to change the clock's appearance with a high level of detail, besides replacing the old calendar system with a new calendar that you can check out with a single click on the clock. Calendar reminders show up in a pop-up window when triggered and can be scheduled to be repeated at different intervals.

The calendar can be also customized with skins, although the skin management system is poorly implemented: you simply unzip the skin archive to the program's folder, overwriting all previous files and therefore making it very uncomfortable to change from one skin to another.

With LClock you can have a better clock and calendar application in your Windows system.

Download LClock 1.62b in Softonic

Magentic enables you to download free wallpapers and screensavers from the Internet and use them to easily renew your desktop's appearance. In a way, it reminds me of the popular Webshots Desktop, as it works in a very similar way.

After installing Magentic you'll be presented with a sample collection of pictures with which you can use to familiarize yourself with the program's functions, namely browsing wallpapers and screensavers, besides downloading new ones from the Magentic website and adding your own pictures to the wallpaper gallery. During these first moments of usage the program tends to behave a bit obtrusively by displaying some message windows and notice pop-ups but both can be easily disabled.

Magentic displays a clear, fresh interface divided into two main sections, one for wallpapers and one for screensavers. You can freely expand your collection with new downloads but it would have been nice to have this download feature directly built-in into the program, instead of using your web browser.

Download Magentic 1310524 in Softonic

How many times have you wanted to copy the text of a document or simply read it whilst you write in another one? Keep on Top allows you to keep the windows that you want on top no matter where you click your mouse or what you look at. You can select which window on your screen you want to maintain on top via a drop-down menu.

Simple and practical, this is one is one of those programs that always handy to have on your system in case your window keeps disappearing. It's particularly useful if you need to read a document or window and type in another one without having to keep using your mouse to reveal the reading screen. If your open windows change, you must restart Keep On Top which is a bit annoying but essential to update the windows list. If you exit the program, the windows will be restored to their normal state automatically.

This is a discreet and useful utility that every PC owner will need find useful at some stage or another.

Download Keep On Top 1.0 in Softonic

Desktop Clock is a digital desktop clock that displays time, date and calendar. It is built into your computer and is completely customizable to your tastes with hundreds of skins.

The main features are a digital clock, calendar, timer to switch off a computer at a certain time, many different animated skins and languages, different time zones and even a skin creator, making this an easy way to spice up your desktop.

Download Desktop Clock 5.0.138 in Softonic

Riding on the back of the popularity of the Dashboard widgets in Apple's OS, Yahoo! Widgets have become a popular way for people to bring Internet functionality to their desktop, whether it's checking sports scores, forecasting the weather or simply finding out what's on TV tonight. As you'd imagine, there are plenty of developers who want a piece of this action, and Widget Maker is designed to make the process of creating these handy little apps a little easier.

I say "a little easier" because you still need to know what you're doing. The app will help you to generate the XML by responding to a series of questions in a form, but you'll still need to take care of image placement and produce the necessary JavaScript yourself. These means that the program isn't suitable for any old numpty who wants to make a cool widget, although with a bit of practice you can learn to develop widgets.

Download Widget Maker 2.3 in Softonic

Attractive Clock is an analog desktop clock. It is built into your computer and is completely customizable to your tastes. It supports different languages and skins. Attractive Clock is the most beautiful active additive for your wallpaper.

Download Attractive Clock 2.0.137 in Softonic

Aero was introduced by Microsoft in Windows Vista as a new graphical user interface with eye candy design and effects, like the ability to change between minimized applications by rolling their windows in 3D.

Now you can have that rolling effect when alt-tabbing between apps without having to upgrade your dear XP to Vista. Just install this simple tool and you'll get the same effect every time you press alt-tab or click on the program's icon. Plus, you can choose between the Vista or the Mac layouts.

Although Shock Aero is a good alternative for all those non-Vista users, the 3D effect it tries to emulate is still far from the real one. In other words, it looks much better in the original Vista environment.

Download Shock Aero 1.01 in Softonic

XPize is a GUI enhancer for Windows XP and above. It replaces most of the non-XP icons, AVIs and BMPs that Microsoft has always overlooked. The installer simply automates the process of replacing resources in critical system files, making your XP's look better. It also includes some extras and a reloader, which you can use after visiting Windows Update.

Download XPize 4.7 Beta in Softonic

You may not like the way Vista works, but you have to admit it does have some nice features. One of them is the new Start menu with an embedded search field that enables you to open any file or application by just typing the first few letters of its name.

This convenient function has now been replicated for Windows XP in Vistart, a small app that requires no installation and emulates Vista's Start menu in Windows XP. Vistart is perfectly integrated in XP and works very well, although we missed some other Vista features such as the ability to move up and down the menu with arrow keys or having support for right clicking.

Try it in combination with any of the Vista-inspired visual themes available at Softonic and you'll be able to enjoy a fully Vista themed Windows XP.

Download ViStart build 2489 in Softonic

Drempels makes colorful, swirling, hallucinogenic patterns that resemble a hurricane or tornado. It normally runs in your Windows background or "desktop", replacing your old still-image wallpaper with gently-animating visuals.

Meanwhile, you can use your computer just like you normally would. It uses very little CPU overhead - so little that it even runs smoothly on a 233 MHz system!

Drempels can also be used as a screensaver; in this mode, it goes fullscreen (like a normal screensaver) instead of rendering to the desktop/background.

Drempels works on Windows 9x, ME, NT, and 2000. It requires DirectX 5.0 or later and an MMX-capable processor.

Download Drempels 1.5 in Softonic

Would you like to interact with any version of Windows in a 3D desktop, without loading up the system resources? Actually, there are lots of applications that allow you to do so, but they take to much system resources. Bottom line, they are useless.

However, there's a nice tool that makes 3D desktop possible under Windows 2000/XP without hogging your whole system. It's called Madotate and works pretty well. Its 3D desktop management helps organizing your work a lot. Besides, it only takes a peak usage about 5 MB of RAM.

To install it, just create a folder on your hard drive, unzip all files and run it. It also includes a plugin that adds a button on every window to make it 3D/2D.

Download Madotate 2.02.02 in Softonic

If you've ever thought there must be a better way to organise Windows, then you might find Desktop Sidebar the answer you’ve been waiting for. Desktop Sidebar is a simple but powerful toolbar that integrates with Windows main features, Outlook and offers a whole lot more. If you’ve not been impressed by Yahoo! Widget Engine or Google Toolbar, then it’s definitely worth a try.

One of Desktop Sidebar’s strongest features is its integration with Outlook. It provides instant shortcuts to email overviews, previews, notes and calendar entries. It also provides customisable news headline feeds, access to search engines and even Windows Media Player/Winamp controls. It’s particularly useful if you’ve got several email accounts, as you can set it up to check multiple IMAP and POP accounts including Hotmail. You may find yourself saving a lot of time with this feature alone although unfortunately, it does not seem to support integration with Thunderbird as yet.

Other pre-installed components include the stats bar which shows how much RAM and CPU throughput your PC is experiencing at any one time. This can however get increasingly annoying as the status bars shoot up and down but it can easily be deactivated in the ‘Settings’ tab. Desktop Toolbar need not be intrusive either - it can be displayed permanently on your desktop or set to auto-hide itself when not in use.

To install more components, you can visit the developer website where you’ll find one for just about everything. However, we found that it crashed on more than one occasion when trying to add some of these new components. Amongst the most popular and useful components are the ‘IP address’ plugin which displays a whole realm of connection statistics and ‘Virtual Desktop Panel’ which allows you to switch between 4 desktop backgrounds at any one time. For those who want to keep track of the latest headlines, the news component is a useful add-on although by default, it's aimed at a US audience. However, you can add RSS feeds from whichever news sources are more local to you.

On the downside, we found that Desktop Sidebar does tend to consume around 20% of your CPU resources which is quite a lot for such a small app. However, if you use it to check your mail accounts and news reports, you save memory by reducing the number of browser tabs you need open. There are lots of great skins, although it seems the components have peaked at around 70 with not many new recent additions.

In summary, Desktop Sidebar doesn’t offer that much more than the Google Toolbar in terms of ease-of-use and features. However, it certainly offers more email checking options than most similar utilities and has a pretty big choice of components to choose from. If you’re a real toolbar/widget junkie and especially if you use Outlook a lot, then you’ll probably find this app increases your productivity.

Download Desktop Sidebar 1.05.116 Beta in Softonic

Visual Tooltip makes it possible to show a thumbnail of a window by putting the mouse cursor over a button of the taskbar. It looks like the visual effect included in Windows Vista, but without having to install Vista.

The displayed thumbnails can be moved anywhere on the desktop and also added to a "dock bar", which may function as a taksbar if you hide the default Windows bar as you can also add your shorcuts and quick launch icons to it.

Thumbnails on the dock bar can have diverse degrees of rotation, by pressing the Ctrl key and moving the mouse over them, without clicking.

Download Visual Tooltip 2.1 in Softonic