Installation

Windows 8 Transformation Pack automatically installs several design changes and programs. The freeware comes with an imitation of the new Metro style and adjusts menus, cursors, screensavers and system sounds to emulate Windows' 8th version. You can also configure individual elements of Windows 8 Transformation Pack via the wizard.

Apps

Windows 8 Transformation Pack adds pizazz with its own metro apps. By clicking on the tile store, you can manage programs and play mini updates or add extra apps. Standard features include apps like Clock, Calendar, system settings, Gmail, Hotmail, Twitter, Facebook, Internet Explorer, Music and Photo Gallery.

Conclusion

Windows 8 Transformation Pack is a worthy successor to the popular Seven Transformation Pack. This early version of Windows 8 is a pretty impressive mimic. If Seven Translation Pack is anything to go by, as Windows 8 gets more advanced, so too will Windows 8 Transformation Pack, so keep an eye out for updates.

If you want a taste of Windows 8 on XP, Vista or Windows 7, download Windows 8 Transformation Pack asap!

Download Windows 8 Transformation Pack 2.0 (8TP) in Softonic

Mac OS X Lion Skin Pack does an excellent job of emulating the look of Lion OS X. This includes windows, folders, Trash can and even the Dock. Of course, it doesn't include the functionality of Lion - you can't use Spaces for example or such things as Finder and Spotlight but the overall look is quite impressive.

If you want to give Windows an OS X makeover, then Mac OS X Lion Skin Pack will impress your friends.

Download Mac OS X Lion Skin Pack for Windows 7 4.0 in Softonic

SevenVG RC Theme is a nicely tailored Windows 7 skin that gives Windows XP the new look. The theme is dead easy to install – something you don't usually find in this kind of software - and includes a wide array of changes: new fonts, new common tasks bar, new window style and much more.

Like I said, SevenVG RC is very easy to use. Simply follow the instructions provided by the developer on his website and you shouldn't have any problem. Bear in mind though that you need the uxtheme.dll file patched to be able to use this and other third-party themes.

The only thing I missed in SevenVG RC was a bit more extra material. It would have been great to also have Windows 7 icons and cursors, more wallpapers and some of the extra features you get in the new operating system, such as Aero Shake (which lets you minimize all windows by shaking one of them with the mouse) or Aero Peek, with which you can make all windows transparent.

SevenVG RC is probably the easiest and fastest way to give your old Windows XP a fresh, brand-new Windows 7 appearance.

Download SevenVG RC (Windows 7 Theme) for Windows XP in Softonic

For many people, the only reason worth upgrading to Vista is for the look, since the functionality and basic framework don't really differ that much from XP. If you think the same way, then you'll be more than happy with Vista Transformation Pack.

Once installed, Vista Transformation Pack makes your start-up screen, cursors, sounds, screen-savers, toolbars, clock, etc. look like the ones seen in Vista. The transparent effect is hard to emulate, but by combining with Windows Blinds, Vista Transformation Pack does a surprisingly impressive job. Be warned however that some users have complained Vista Transformation Pack 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 Vista Transformation Pack developers advise you to view their user discussion board before installing Vista Transformation Pack to find out about 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. The developers have 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.

Vista Transformation Pack is probably one of the best transformation packs out there although be warned that it's likely to cause conflicts with programs from time to time.

Download Vista Transformation Pack 9.01 in Softonic

Once you have WindowBlinds installed, simply open the Mac OS X Theme file and you’ll be able to customize it to your liking. Mac OS X Theme features more than 20 styles to choose from, including the Aqua, Graphite and Platinum designs, with both left and right-handed button bars. You’ll be able to choose the desktop wallpaper and the system’s color scheme, as well as set the text font and transparency degree.

The Apple menu in Mac OS X Theme is unfortunately not an exact copy of the original but is pretty close. It's basically a stripped down Start Menu that has been made to look like the Apple menu in Mac OS X.

The look and feel in Mac OS X Theme is remarkably Apple, although Windows keeps creeping through, especially if we take into account two important flaws: the theme doesn’t include a dock-style taskbar, nor any Apple wallpaper.

Mac OS X Theme is a great visual theme for those who either can't afford a Mac or simply prefer the elegant Mac look and feel.

Download Mac OS X Theme 1.3 in Softonic

If you can’t wait to have Windows 8 – at least in appearance - 8 Skin Pack is the perfect desktop theme for you. It customizes the start-up screen, wallpaper and taskbar, as well as the aspect of Explorer windows.

The best thing about 8 Skin Pack is its incredible ease of use. To install the theme, just run the EXE file contained in the ZIP archive. The program even patches the uxtheme.dll file automatically – a necessary requirement to use third-party themes. Likewise, if you want to remove it, simply go to the program’s list in the Control Panel and click Uninstall.

On the downside, 8 Skin Pack requires a system reboot in order to be able to use it.

With 8 Skin Pack you can already start enjoying Windows 8 – even if still have to wait for Microsoft’s new operating system for a few months.

Download 8 Skin Pack for Windows 7 1.0 in Softonic

If you're someone who loves to keep up with the latest in operating system news, you've probably already seen a sneak peak of what Windows 8 is expected to look like, as well as seen the official video of the new Windows 8 interface.

Windows 8 Theme will give you the opportunity to show off your operating system savvy on your desktop for everyone else to see. The graphics in Windows 8 Theme are crisp but minimalist. Don't expect any fireworks or other impressive animations though. What you will get with Windows 8 Theme though is the logo for the next operating system Microsoft is currently developing. It's an easy way to keep the excitement up until the new system is actually released to the public.

Windows 8 Theme contains crisp graphics but is otherwise pretty minimalistic.

Download Windows 8 Theme for Windows 7 in Softonic

Some time ago Microsoft launched Royale Theme for Windows XP, a slick, elegant blue theme that many adopted immediately. A new Royale theme appeared after that, this time in a very elegant black. However, this dark Royale was not finished and you could clearly tell it 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 before they had been finished properly.

Bearing that in mind, an independent designer has finished the job, presenting Royale Remixed Theme, a theme for Windows XP that fixes all the bugs in the Noir and Zune themes and adds everything they lacked.

Just bear in mind that Royale Remixed Theme is not as easy to install as it seems. If you have problems, it's probably because you need to patch a DLL file (see Notes). 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 Royale Remixed Theme's ZIP file.

Customize Windows XP with this elegant shiny black design.

Download Royale Remixed Theme 1.47 in Softonic

This is, in fact, more than just a visual theme. Not only does Snow Transformation Pack change graphic details in your system – such as the background wallpaper, logon screen, system icons and cursors – but it also adds extra apps to resemble the Mac OS even more faithfully – like the popular Dock or the Spaces functionality.

The results achieved with Snow Transformation Pack are thus quite impressive – at least for a visual theme. The Windows toolbar moves to the top of the screen to emulate Mac’s menu bar, and replaced with a fully functional dock. All Windows system icons are Mac style, and Snow Transformation Pack also allows you to skin all the apps you use with a Mac look as well.

Having a Windows computer with Snow Transformation Pack is obviously not the same as having a real Mac, but at least it looks more or less like the real deal. The only thing you’ll have to put up with is a painful installation that requires at least three system restarts.

If you’d like to use a Mac but for some reason you’re stuck with Windows, Snow Transformation Pack can make things a bit easier for you.

Download Snow Transformation Pack 1.0 in Softonic

We were impressed by this Vista theme pack. Not only do you get the sleek menu bar characteristic of Vista, but the theme also sets up a Mac-like dock where you can nest icons from your favorite applications. They even magnify when you roll over them!

With Universal Vista Inspirat's Ubericon feature you can get that magnifying touch for every item you double click. Another feature that separates Universal Vista Inspirat from other simple Vista Themes is Y’s Shadow. This feature gives a cool drop shadow to your windows, which you can easily increase or decrease and even apply to your taskbar.

Universal Vista Inspirat ingeniously improves the feel of your XP menu, but we felt a little more skeptical about the cosmetic changes it applies to other Microsoft applications. Word and Outlook are given a fresher, whiter look, but we were unimpressed by how Windows Media Player appeared, with a strange purple color replacing the default sleek dark feel.

Universal Vista Inspirat is an impressive theme pack filled with original features that definitely separates it from typical Vista themes.

Download Universal Vista Inspirat BricoPack 2.1 in Softonic

The Omnimo theme is based on a group of colorful desktop shortcuts and widgets that display all sorts of useful information. They let you access your favorite programs, open the most frequently used system tools, check your unread emails, have a look at the latest headlines in your RSS feeds or see the weather forecast in your city, among other things.

Omnimo is very easy to set up and configure. Simply bear in mind that you need to have Rainmeter installed on your system before using it. Then installing the theme is as easy as double clicking the rmskin file inside the archive. Note that the theme may have a slight impact on your system performance.

There are tons of configuration settings in Omnimo – so many that you may feel overwhelmed at first. Just take it easy, one step at a time, and explore all the possibilities of this beautiful desktop theme. It’s worth it!

With Omnimo for Rainmeter you can easily give your computer the appearance of Windows 8.

Download Omnimo (for Rainmeter) 4.1 in Softonic

Windows Leopard XP OS X is a basic Windows theme that changes Windows' overall appearance and makes it look like Mac OS X. All you need to do is extract the files from the ZIP file to the C:\Windows \ Resources\ Themes folder. Then right click anywhere on the desktop, select Properties, go to the Themes tab and pick the Windows Leopard XP OS X theme from the drop-down menu.

Windows Leopard XP OS X applies subtle changes to the Windows look and feel to make it more similar to Mac. The Start button is replaced by the Apple logo, the system is covered with an elegant gray skin and the three characteristic window buttons change to the typical Mac yellow, green and red buttons. It also includes a bunch of Apple wallpapers to choose from. That said, we still missed an extra bit of personalization such as a dock-style toolbar or some Mac-like icons.

Windows Leopard XP OS X applies a visual Mac theme to your Windows, though unfortunately misses extra elements such as icons and a dock-style toolbar.

Download Windows Leopard XP OS X 1.0 in Softonic

It's a simple package containing a desktop with the look of Vista and many of the applications you'll find in Vista Start Menu and Yahoo! Widgets. It's easy to install, you can choose the three main components of the package or any of them, and if you get tired of Transform XP to Vista, you can uninstall it with equal ease. The package also includes Yahoo widgets which is basically a collection of small and useful desktop assistants. This includes anything from a PC temperature gauge to mini games. The Vista Start Menu is modified not only in appearance but also in functionality. You'll find a few new tools on there that aren't in XP and it's basically a lot more accessible although some things, like "Communication Centre" have been renamed.

A cool little package that will save you a packet on Vista's hefty price tag but won't leave you with all the compatibility problems associated with it.

Download Transform XP to Vista 3.11 in Softonic

There’s no doubt that the XP styling is well past its sell-by date and this Visual Style provides a classy alternative modelled on the new OS.

The style applies a sleek gun metal shell to your windows and program icons in the taskbar glow a brilliant deep blue when rolled over. Likewise the Start button turns a gorgeous green when you hover over it.

However, by installing the Vista wallpaper and Vista Sidebar, you can get a true feel for the OS. Of course, you won’t get access to the fancy new file management tools, but it’s sure to raise a few eyebrows when your friends and colleagues pass your computer.

Download VistaXP V3 WB 3.1 in Softonic

All the icons and wallpapers of the official Windows 7 are included in this Windows 7 Theme, making it impressively comprehensive. The whole task bar is restyled, with sharper edges, rather than the curves of Vista, and the overall effect is excellent.

Some people think there's nothing you can do to improve the much criticized Vista, but the Windows 7 Theme gives it a credible makeover!

Download Windows 7 Theme For Vista in Softonic

VistaXP v2 VS is inspired by the original Windows Vista look (Codename Longhorn) and the package contains two visual styles - Black and Silver. The Start menu is very realistic and manages to compact all your programs into a shorter start menu than you usually get with XP.

There are only 3 different fonts to choose from in VistaXP v2 VS, but there surely could have been more. It does feature the original Segoe UI font, however, 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, VistaXP v2 VS could help create a really impressive Vista look.

VistaXP v2 VS is a very good Vista skin for XP - although it lacks realism in some aspects, it's for free, so you can't really complain.

Download VistaXP v2 VS in Softonic