For many people, the only reason worth upgrading to Vista if for the look since the functionality and basic framework really don't differ that much from XP.

If you think the same way, then you'll be more than happy with Vista Transformation Pack. Once installed, the program makes superficial changes to XP that give it the Vista look. The main changes are that it "Vistarises" your start-up screen, cursors, sounds, screen-savers, tool bars, clock, etc. The transparent effect in Vista is hard to emulate on XP machines but by combining with Windows Blinds, Vista Transofrmation Pack does a surprisingly impressive job. Be warned however that some users have complained the program changes driver DLLs in XP which make it difficult to remove, or at least, it leaves problems behind when you do so.

To be fair to them, the developers advise you to view their user discussion board before installing to be warned of any potential problems as they readily admit that they are not aware of all the bugs it may cause. Note that if you're simply updating Vista Transformation Pack, there's no need to uninstall the original - just install the patch. They've also added a user selection feature whereby if you log onto your PC as a different user, you can select whether you want to transform your XP desktop to Vista.

This is probably one of the best transformation packs out there although be warned that it's likely that you'll suffer conflicts with programs from time to time, and may have problems with XP when it's uninstalled.

Download Vista Transformation Pack 8.01 in Softonic

I'm about to convert to Mac myself but if I wasn't, I would definitely use Mac OSX Tiger Theme 1.3 to at least feel like I'd converted.

The skins feature the classic Aqua and Graphite schemes and the newly introduced Platinum scheme which you can find in the System Preferences and Mail programs in Mac OS X 10.4. They've also included Brushed with over 20 substyles added for good measure. The Apple menu is unfortunately, not an exact copy of the original but it's pretty close. It's basically a stripped down Start Menu that has been made to look like the Apple menu in Mac OS X. In addition, there are also left and right handed titlebar buttons for those that want their PC to look like a Mac but at the same time keep their right handed Windows buttons. The look and feel is remarkably Apple although Windows keeps creeping through especially with it's annoying sounds sometimes to spoil the illusion. If you have any widgets installed, you may also find that they don't show with this installed.

A great skin for those that either can't afford a Mac or those that simply prefer the elegant Mac look and style.

Download Mac OS X Theme 1.3 in Softonic

Creating the look of Vista on XP has become something of a cottage industry, mainly because most people know that Vista IS XP just with a few fancy skins on.

VistaXP v2 VS is an excellent Vista skin for XP which gives you all the benefits of the Vista look, without paying hundreds of dollars for the upgrade. The package is inspired by the original Windows Vista look (Codename Longhorn) and the package contains two Visual Styles - Black and Silver. The Start menu (which incidentally I hate in Vista) is very realistic and manages to compact all your programs into a shorter Star menu bar than you usually get with XP. There are only 3 different fonts to choose from which surely could have been increased although fonts are not the most important thing when it comes to the look and feel of your operating system. However, it does feature the original Segoe UI font although the wallpaper is limited to the now rather dated Vista Beta 1 wallpaper. It's a shame the developer chose not to include any widgets in this pack as that would really have made it much more realistic but combined with another Vista skin pack, this could make a really impressive Vista look.

A very good Vista skin for XP although it lacks realism in some aspects but for free, you can't complain.

Download VistaXP v2 VS in Softonic

The Royale Theme is a slick black theme for Windows XP which originally leaked out of Microsoft and onto the web in 2005.

There's no way to know but it seems to have come out of the new version of Windows Media Centre that Microsoft developed for XP. The Royale theme is remarkably similar to XP's default "Luna" theme but is a much sleeker shade of black. If you are tired of the default theme then you'll surely find something that appeals in Royale. It's also a remarkably small download at 2MB so there's no need to worry that it's going to slow down your machine although it does take up slightly more RAM so if you're on a slow machine, you might want to think twice before installing it. The installation is very simple - simply download the theme and run the EXE and it will ask you automatically where you want to install it. If you choose C:\WINDOWS path the files will automatically be placed in the Resources Folder on your computer. Once it's installed, you'll still need to activate the theme by right-clicking on you desktop, selecting Properties, then Appearance and finally Windows and Buttons. Select the Media Center Style option and click apply and the screen may go black while the theme is applied.

If you're bored with XP's default theme, this is an excellent free way to spice up your desktop and Windows itself.

Download Royale Theme for Win XP in Softonic

If, like many, you´ve been sucked in by the horribly addictive Sims video game on the PC then you´re sure to love this fully featured theme. It includes a wallpaper featuing some of the characters from the game, plus some clever icons that are made out of objects that you´ll recognize from playing.

Download The Sims PC Game - 2 Themes in Softonic

If you’re one of those people who spends most of their free time tinkering with your mobile phone ringtone or reorganizing your bedroom, then StyleXP could become your new favorite toy. The application promises to expand the customizability of Windows XP and gives you the power to install new themes that break the mould of the existing XP shell.

The program works by patching your operating system to accept unassigned styles, scores of which are available for download from the web. Once you’ve applied a style you can tweak virtually any aspect of the appearance, including the font size, screensaver, colours, menu transparency, or even the boot screen. What’s more, if you’re particularly artistically minded you can create your own elements in a graphics editor and apply them to the skin.

Although the developer has made strides towards making the interface as simple as possible, there are so many customization options that it can be a little daunting for new users to the program.

There’s no doubt that the temptation to make Windows look like OSX or apply a ‘Windows Pirate Edition’ boot screen is pretty appealing, but pimping your OS in this way does come with a risk. It’s worth bearing in mind that because of the way the application writes files to your System Folder you could end up doing damage to your machine, especially if you install a patch or a new service pack.

Having said this, we’ve experienced no problems yet (touch wood) and also found that it runs pretty smoothly without sucking too much RAM. You can choose to keep Style XP locked in the System Tray, or release it so that it uses no resources, which is a refreshing thing to see from a developer. With so many themes and customization options available, Style XP is well worth a look if you fancy a change of scenery on your desktop, but keep in mind the risks involved in using a patching program such as this.

Download Style XP 3.19 Men in Softonic

Some time ago Microsoft launched Royale Theme for Windows XP, a slick, elegant blueish theme that many people adopted immediately. A new Royale theme appeared after that, this time in a very elegant black. However, this dark Royale was apparently not finished and you could tell it clearly needed some polishing. The same happened with the Zune theme created by Microsoft to celebrate the launch of their MP3 player. It seemed someone had leaked them without having tested them properly.

Bearing that in mind, an independent designer has finished the job on his own and now presents Royale Remixed, a theme for Windows XP that fixes all the bugs in the Noir and Zune themes and adds everything the original themes lacked.

Royale Remixed will not only change your desktop wallpaper and windows appearance, but it will also replace your system icons, mouse cursors and system sounds with new files. The result looks like a completely new system with a really attractive design.

That said, note that Royale Remixed is not as easy to install as it seems. If you have problems installing it, it's probably because you need to patch a DLL file (see Notes). I had this issue and it took me some time and a few Google queries to find out what was happening. Also, if you want to customize the shutdown window to match the rest of the system, you'll have to modify another couple of DLL files. Fortunately, this process is very clearly explained in a TXT document included in the program's ZIP file.

Customize Windows XP with this shiny, elegant black design.

Download Royale Remixed Theme 1.47 in Softonic

Ubuntu XP is not a strange mixture of operating system, as you could tell from that name. It's a complete kit to transform Windows XP into Ubuntu – at least in its appearance.

The pack includes everything you need to give XP the Ubuntu look, from a new visual style (with several color variations) to mouse cursors, featuring also wallpapers, new logon and boot screens, skins for Firefox, icons and even a clone of Beryl, the 3D windows management system used by Ubuntu to change between applications.

The good thing about having a package with all these elements, categorized in several different folders, is that you can choose what to install and what to leave unchanged. The downside is that you have to do it step by step, and sometimes you even need a third-party application - like in the case of the new boot screen, which needs the Bootskin tool. This installation procedure can therefore be a bit complicated, as there's no documentation to explain how to apply the whole kit properly.

Give Windows the clear, colorful Ubuntu look with Ubuntu XP

Download Ubuntu XP 1.0 in Softonic

With this simple application you can easily patch your Windows Vista system to use custom styles, similar to the UxTheme patch for Windows XP.

After that you can modify your Aero style to use the glass transparency effect on maximized windows.

Download VistaGlazz 1.0 in Softonic

Royale Noir is an almost exact copy of Royale except with a dark purplish tint. If Royale was day, Royale Noir is night. No doubt about it, this is a ‘dark’ theme. If you’re the sort of person who likes bright and vivid colors, stay away from this theme.

As W3bbo pointed out, there are quite definitely issues with this theme due to its incompleteness. The most obvious being, the “Start” button’s hover and active states are unchanged from Royale, inconsistent with the purple tint surrounding. However, there is even a color scheme for Office 2003 so it will not default to the blue Luna colors.

Looking at it from the big picture, Royale Noir is a welcomed alternative to the extremely small collection of verified-by-Microsoft XP themes. However being incomplete, it is not recommended for the general consumers. Enthusiasts are welcomed to try it to stand out from the crowd, but even still, you’ll feel right at home with the familiar Luna/Royale style.

Download Royale Noir XP theme in Softonic

If you're considering moving to Linux but haven't made up your mind yet, ClearLooks can tip the scales in favour of the open source option. This Windows theme includes two new visual styles that resemble Linux Ubuntu's appearance, with new colors and a refreshed window style.

Simply run the msstyles file and you'll be able to choose the visual theme in Display settings. ClearLooks includes a couple of matching skins for Y'z Toolbar in case you use it, and also a cursor set that must be installed one by one in the Control Panel > Mouse configuration window. However, I missed having some wallpapers bundled in the package.

ClearLooks is a Linux-based visual style that enhances the appearance of your desktop.

Download ClearLooks 2.2 in Softonic

If you’re one of those people who spends most of their free time tinkering with your mobile phone ringtone or reorganizing your bedroom, then StyleXP could become your new favorite toy. The application promises to expand the customizability of Windows XP and gives you the power to install new themes that break the mould of the existing XP shell.

The program works by patching your operating system to accept unassigned styles, scores of which are available for download from the web. Once you’ve applied a style you can tweak virtually any aspect of the appearance, including the font size, screensaver, colours, menu transparency, or even the boot screen. What’s more, if you’re particularly artistically minded you can create your own elements in a graphics editor and apply them to the skin.

Although the developer has made strides towards making the interface as simple as possible, there are so many customization options that it can be a little daunting for new users.

There’s no doubt that the temptation to make Windows look like OSX or apply a ‘Windows Pirate Edition’ boot screen is pretty appealing, but pimping your OS in this way does come with a risk. It’s worth bearing in mind that because of the way the application writes files to your System Folder you could end up doing damage to your machine, especially if you install a patch or a new service pack.

Having said this, we’ve experienced no problems yet (touch wood) and also found that it runs pretty smoothly without sucking too much RAM. You can choose to keep Style XP locked in the System Tray, or release it so that it uses no resources, which is a refreshing thing to see from a developer. With so many themes and customization options available, Style XP is well worth a look if you fancy a change of scenery on your desktop, but keep in mind the risks involved in using a patching program such as this.

Download Style XP 3.19 Ladies in Softonic

Ubuntu is by far the most popular Linux distribution these days, thanks to its eye-candy design and user-friendly environment that set this operating system far from the console-style, hacker-only image we all had of Linux some time ago.

But if you don't dare jump to the penguin side yet, don't worry: you can still enjoy Ubuntu's look and feel with this Windows visual theme. Smooth Ubuntu Human includes pretty much anything you need to make your Windows computer look like the Ubuntu operating system. Besides the graphic elements such as wallpapers, fonts, cursors and icons, you also get a special DLL patcher that enables you to use the theme even if it's not an official Windows visual theme.

The result is quite impressive and looks really nice, though I missed having a bit more of choice in wallpapers and theme colors. Also, I must say this theme is not as easy to install as other themes I've tried. For example, if you want to install icons you'll need to download and install a third-party application.

With Smooth Ubuntu Human you can get the Ubuntu look and feel on your Windows computer, though you'll need to go through several steps to obtain the complete package.

Download Smooth Ubuntu Human Theme 1.0 in Softonic

Theme Manager s a program for Microsoft Windows that allows companies to provide branded desktops. Theme Manager OEM can change virtually every part of the Windows environment -- title bars, Start bar, push buttons, icons, wallpaper, media players, and much more.

Stardock can provide both the software technology and the art resources to turn the Windows desktop into whatever you would like it to be. Your users can optionally turn it on and off with just a few clicks. It's a great way to promote your product or service, website, film, game, or just to have a branded desktop in your company.

Download Theme Manager 2.3 in Softonic

This collection of 12 different themes sees Scooby, Shaggy and the rest of the ghost-catching crew take over your PC. The different elements of the themes include 12 desktop wallpapers settings set to stretch to any screen size, with matching color schemes, icons and sound files.

Download Scooby Doo in Softonic

For decades, gamers have embarked upon journeys through the unforgettable worlds of the Final Fantasy games. Alone, they fought heroic battles and saved the world countless times. Now these players can unite from around the world in the exploration of a new fantasy experience online in Final Fantasy XI for Windows.

This Final Fantasy XI theme for Windows XP users will make it easy to immerse yourself in the fantasy today. To install the program follow the steps in the Installer Wizard to install the theme onto your machine.

Download Final Fantasy XI for Windows Desktop Theme in Softonic

After all these years, Superman is still the ultimate superhero movie, that by which all others are measured. This remade desktop theme includes new wallpaper, resampled sounds, and a screensaver with widescreen images from the DVD.

Download Superman: The Movie in Softonic

Give your desktop the appeal of one of the greatest arcade games of all time by downloading this Street Fighter pack, boasting wallpaper, icons, cursors and logos. The main wallpaper features the only female in the game, Chun-Li.

Download Street Fighter desktop theme in Softonic

Ever get envious of your Mac-using friends and their swanky desktop interfaces? PanthFlux is a theme designed to emulate the look and feel of OS X (10.3). It is based on AquaFlux, which emulates the look of the other OS X releases.

Download PanthFlux in Softonic

This is a desktop theme for Windows XP Home and Professional Editions. It includes a desktop wallpaper and a screensaver depicting images from around the island of Ireland. The images have been kindly supplied by Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, making it an authentic tour of the country.

Download Images of Ireland Desktop Theme for Windows XP 1.0 in Softonic