Now that the download period for Windows 7 Beta is over, many people may have lost their chance to try Microsoft's new operating system. If you're among them, worry not: you still have the opportunity to take a sneaky peek at Windows 7, even if it's only by disguising your dear old Windows XP as the new Microsoft OS.

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

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

If you'd like to switch to Mac but haven't made up your mind yet, you can have a sneak peek at the operating system with the LeopardXP BricoPack.

LeopardXP BricoPack is a visual theme for Windows XP that completely transforms your old Microsoft OS into the brand new Apple system in just a couple of clicks. Unlike other visual themes that need certain libraries and drivers, or require you to install third-party apps on your own, LeopardXP BricoPack includes everything you need and is incredibly easy to install: click on the Next button a few times, wait for a while, restart and that's it.

LeopardXP BricoPack is obviously not like the real thing but it does quite a good job in trying to make Windows XP look like the Leopard OS. Not only does it install new skins, wallpapers and icons, but it also adds new functionalities such as a Mac OS style dock bar, a Spotlight clone (which by the way doesn't seem to work properly), a top toolbar and a similar file explorer. All of these are included in LeopardXP BricoPack as extra tools and you can choose not to install them. Also, LeopardXP works fine even in systems with low resources.

On the downside, there are still a few areas in which LeopardXP BricoPack could be improved: for example, there are some Windows icons that the theme doesn't replace and don't really fit in, like the Windows logon and switch off screens.

LeopardXP BricoPack is an attractive visual theme that completely transforms Windows XP into Mac OS Leopard. It includes everything you need and is extremely easy to install and uninstall.

Download LeopardXP Bricopack 1.0 in Softonic

The Crystal Clear pack integrates a visual style which will bring some freshness to your Windows. In order to answer all your desires, several versions of this style are proposed. So, you have the choice between an Aero style or a Classic one, a Tux or a Windows button, a normal taskbar and a thin taskbar.

The aim of Bricopacks is to make your desktop more beautiful, but also more practical.
So Crystal Clear Bricopack brings some additional software. For example, you will be able to change the colour of your folders so you can locate an important folder easier.

The Crystal Clear Bricopack also has a new control panel! You decide which software you activate or not, and if you want to restore your old Windows XP, uninstalling the pack will bring everything back!d

Download Crystal Clear Bricopack 1.0 in Softonic