Windows Vista has some really nice eyecandy that I wouldn't mind having on my computer as well - that is, if that didn't imply changing my operating system. As long as there are apps like Vista Drive Icons, I can have some of that Vista graphic treats while keeping Windows XP.

In this case, Vista Drive Icons replaces XP drive standard icons with Vista-themed icons, including a nice blue progress bar, which enables you to see how much space you're using - and how much you have left - at a glance. It's really useful to get an idea of space management without having to open the Properties dialog.

Pity this tool doesn't work with networked drives. It will only display the bar for your local hard drives.

Add a Vista-like progress bar to your hard drive icon and see how space is being used.

Download Vista Drive Icons 1.3 in Softonic

Bandoo adds new emotions, more technically ‘emot-icons’, to your Yahoo! and MSN messenger. They are well designed, with a cartoon style and lovely pastel shades. They are also animated, and some are really sweet, like the little angel with shining nimbus that at times flutters its wings, or the shy character with glinting eyes and red cheeks.

The program adds a bar on your messenger, just above where you write your text. There are five menus to choose from, one to add emoticons, the next to add animated text, then Winks, Nudges and User pictures at the end. Each category contains dozens of new animations divided into categories, although, as you might guess, the emoticons selection is far wider.

Unfortunately, each menu takes some time to load all the items it contains and even when you select one, the program has to download it, which again takes few seconds. Although this could mean that you might have new animations every now and again, you will have to pay a price in patience.

Bored with the standard Yahoo! and MSN messenger emoticons? Bring new life to your IM with hundreds of free cartoon style, beautifully coloured animations. The only downside is that the program takes a while to load and then download the emoticons into your chat.

Download Bandoo 2.0 in Softonic

Are you completely bored with the way that Windows looks? Do nyou wish you had more icons or at least better icons to choose from?

Well why not make your own? ArtIcons allows you to create your own as well as make sure that Vista icvons are compatible with Windows XP. The program looks a little like MS Paint but don't let this fool you - this is a very powerful program with lots of cool icon editing features. For a start, it now supports the highest resolution icons possible which means those up to 256 x 256 in dimension, making them suitable for high-DPI displays. This take about 400Kb of disk space, which is more than the standard 25Kb of an XP icon but because the program uses PNG compression, this isn't a problem. Hey presto, you've got high definition XP icon images without the huge file sizes. You can make XP look remarkably like XP from an icon perspective and yet still retain normal use of your favourite operating system. Probably the best feature of this program though is that it makes distinguishing your icons and folders so much easier. There's no need to worry about labelling them correctly - just use the design instead.

A super program for anyone that wants to spice up their desktop or just wants to give XP a bit of a Vista look.

Download ArtIcons 5.19 Standard in Softonic

Having dozens of folders helps you categorize files in a better way, but it also makes it more difficult to find what you're exactly looking for, since they all look the same.

The best solution then is to give each folder a different color with iColorFolder. This simple tool also includes a few skins to change the folder's appearance, but I strongly recommend you to download the extra skin package available from the author's website.

After installing the program, folders will be automatically updated with the new skin selected by default, but you can change it afterwards and select a new color simply by right clicking on any folder you want to customize. And if you grow tired of so many colors there's also the possibility to go back to standard yellow folders.

iColorFolder is an easy, fun way to customize your icons and organize files in a more efficient way.

Download iColorFolder 1.4.2 in Softonic

Are you tired of all those identical yellow folders? Install MyFolder and pimp up the standard Windows file manager by customizing your folders' appearance. This program makes it easy and fun!

You can select the folder's new color either directly in MyFolder interface or by selecting the correspondent option in the folder's context menu. This second option is probably more comfortable, because when working from the interface you have to manually select each folder. I think this could be improved by allowing users to open several folders at the same time and then apply their chosen icons separately to each one of them.

The program includes a nice choice of new folder icons, including variations in color and also some special icons to mark folders as important, private, favourite and so on. The good thing is that you can add your own icons to the program's library.

Download MyFolder Free 2.0.1 in Softonic

IconTweaker is a freeware application that allows you to customize all your Windows icons. Icons are one of main parts of the Windows interface. Customizing them can make your desktop look better and can also improve the usability, because you can make it easier to recognize items.

Using the IconTweaker theme system, designers can share their icons with other people. IconTweaker has an open XML-based theme format that can be extended using plug-ins. If you created an IconTweaker theme for your icons, you can be sure they can be used by everyone. Many themes with beautiful icons are already included and ready to use.

Download IconTweaker 1.12 in Softonic

IconShock Vusta Incons is a pack of 6 Vista style icons with different styles ideal for you to integrate in your web applications, software, catalogs, games, printing media and much more. Sizes range from from 16px to 256px.

The developer speciliases in sets of Vista, Mac, XP icons entirely compatible with web and development environments such as VisualStudio, Java, Swing, Delphi, Dreamweaver and more.

Download IconShock Free Vista Icons 1.0 in Softonic

Add these fun icons to your desktop to make each folder look unique. Icons are in standard 32x32 .ico format. Ready to use & instructions included. Totally free icons!

Download Free Fun Icons 1.0 in Softonic

Editing your icons can be one of the best ways of giving your desktop and PC a really individual feel.

Microsoft has always provided some pretty uninspiring icons for all Windows releases and this program is aimed at giving them an extra touch of class. The good thing about IconEdit is that it accepts a huge range of icons formats from ICO, ICL, NIL, EXE and DLL to GIF, TIFF, BMP, and JPEG. It's also extremely easy to use even if the interface is a bit bland. Normally icon sizes are 32x32 pixels, 16x16 and in some rare cases, 48x48 for really big ones. The different size ranges require different tools to edit them effectively and IconEdit2 allows you to do so with speed and a touch of finesse even if you're no Picasso. The interface is similar to Window's own Paint application and the program allows you to modify desktop shortcuts and folder icons as well as substitute your own images instead of the default ones. You can also use it to create convincing Avatars that can be used with IM clients and forum sites. Probably the nicest feature for an imaging novice is the option to create a "transparent" background for any image or icon which usually takes longer in other similar apps.

This is an excellent icon editor that's simple to use but gives you just enough creative scope to make some really natty icons.

Download IconEdit2 5.0 in Softonic

IcoFX is an award winning freeware icon editor. It is an all-in-one solution for icon creation, extraction and editing. It is designed to work with Windows XP and Windows Vista icons supporting transparency.

With a wealth of tools and more than 40 effects at your fingertips, there’s virtually no limit to the icons you can create. You can convert your favorite images into icons, or icons into images. With IcoFX you can extract icons from other files, including Windows Vista files. You can easily work with multiple files using the batch processing capability of IcoFX.

This is what IcoFX has to offer:

• Support for transparency (alpha channel)
• Batch processing for import, export and extract
• More than 40 effects + custom filter
• Resolutions up to 256x256
• Data types: 2, 16, 256, True Color, True Color + Alpha
• Extract icons from 32 bit exe and dll
• Import and export images
• Transparent, Brighten/Darken, Blur/Sharpen tools

Download IcoFX 1.63 in Softonic

Making your own icons is a cool way to add a touch of class to your desktop without adding any widgets or changing the theme.

Easy Picture2Icon allows you to create snappy and customised Windows icons based on your favourite images and designs. So for example, if you have a favourite photo, Easy Picture2Icon can simply process it and turn it instantly into an icon you can use on your desktop. It doesn't accept all file types but at the moment, Easy Picture2Icon is able to convert digital pictures into BMP, GIF, JPEG, JPG and PNG files to Windows icons (ICO).

However, that's as far as it goes because Easy Picture2Icon then allows you to use your favourite graphical editor to retouch and add your own special effects to icons. Easy Picture2Icon does however allow you to make transparent icons and you can choose which color to make transparent.

Easy Picture2Icon is a great way to get started creating your own icons although it's a shame it doesn't come bundled with a more comprehensive editor.

Download Easy Picture2Icon 2.5 in Softonic

IconMania is a collection of files, not an application or themes pack, providing hand-picked quality desktop icons. With a multitude of categories, the collection has icons regarding computer and console gaming, food, music, cartoons, organisms and so much more. Find almost any type of icon from any subject imaginable in this massive vault. Unlike several icon packs out there, this software takes pride in correctly sorting, spelling and optimizing each file individually.

Download IconMania 8.01 in Softonic

Vista Toolbar Icons is a set of splendid stock icons carried out in the style of MS Windows Vista. Icons are thoroughly designed and shine with superb quality so they will indeed ornament your interface and make it look up-to-date and respectable.

With Vista Toolbar Icons you'll give your interface a new, fresh look and put an emphasis on reliability of your enterprise. For your convenience icons are delivered in different color depth and sizes.

Download Vista Toolbar Icons 2007.7 in Softonic

Do you get bred with standard Windows icons? They are not exactly inspiring and some are downright boring.

Breathe new life into Windows folders by changing the standard Windows icon with one that you'd prefer or think would make a more appropriate picture for the folder. All you need to do is simply selecting the folder whose icon you want to change, click the right button and select the "Change Icon Folder" link in the menu. There are hundreds of variations to choose from and if they're not enough, you can always create your own with your own pictures and designs. You can search for icons in all kinds of files (EXE, DLL, LIB, etc.) from the program itself and export the one you like most to ICO format.

An excellent way to freshen-up Windows and give folders a personal touch.

Download Change Folder Icons 8.5 in Softonic

Unique XP style icons that come with highly professional designs for use in your applications. Each icon is available in four different sizes (16x16, 24x24, 32x32 and 48x48), two different color depths and three formats that include .ico, png and gif. It also features drop shadow effects and perfect alpha channel for effortless blending.

Download XP Style Icons in Softonic

This pack features nine high quality icons for the new characters in the famous TV series Futurama. Included are Bender, Amy, Fry, Farnsworth, Leela, Hermes, Nibbler, Scruffy y Zoidberg.

Download Futurama Icons Vol. 1 in Softonic

Most of the icons Windows uses for drives are very boring and generic. The only thing that changes is the letter which is why I like My Drives because it allows you to assign a different icon to each one whether its your internal hard drive or an external drive.

What I like about this is it's much easier to differentiate between drives rather than have to remember a letter. I have so many attached to my PC that it's sometimes difficult to remember what contains what but I somehow find it much easier with different icons. The program comes preinstalled with several different options for logos such as a cellphone, a pendrive, video camera, photo, logo, Windows partition, and so on. However, it's a shame it doesn't come with a lot more because drives can be used to store much more than these - the most obvious being documents - but it doesn't cater for all. On the plus side, it's easy to install and assign icons to your drives. The most annoying thing however is that once you click "Apply Changes" the computer is restarted. This is because Windows can't handle changing the image whilst Windows is operating - even Vista.

My Drives is a clever little program that gives you more control over your drive icons but it's s ahem about all the annoying restarts.

Download My Drives 1.4 in Softonic

Stardock IconX gives you the power to jazz up your Windows desktop icons. You can give them shadows, make them any size, have them zoom up on mouse-over and much more. In short - the program makes your desktop icons look totally awesome!

Highlights of the program:

• Add cool looking effects to your icon text labels to make them easier to read
• Set your icons to be any size and react to different mouse states
• Set up special effects for your icons
• Control which icons show up on your desktop
• Easily replace any icon on your desktop with a new icon or PNG image
• Apply special effects like shadows, anti-aliasing, and dynamic resizing

Download IconX 1.1 in Softonic

With RealWorld Icon Editor you can create your own images or 3D graphics for Icons. RealWorld Icon Editor features an advanced image to icon conversion tool with batch mode support.

Using 3D editor saves time and most importantly, gives all your icons a uniform look and feel. When generating an icon from a 3D model, you get lighting, occlusion, and perspective transformations for free. You can change them at any time and generate an updated icon in a few seconds.

Download RealWorld Icon Editor 2008.1 (XP/2003/Vista) in Softonic

Icon creation has evolved. Use the industry standard to create, extract, convert, manage Windows icons. It supports all existing icon formats up to Windows XP. Use drag & drop to easily compose icons from various images in seconds. Features a Photoshop transfer plug-in. Hundreds of features allow you to produce high-quality icons using a fully integrated workspace.

Download Axialis IconWorkshop 6.30 in Softonic