Win 7TP [XP/Vista/Server2003]

[VirusType2]

Windows 7 Transformation Pack

This looks pretty amazing, is anyone using it? I'm going to try it on my secondary computer (XP Pro) and make sure it works well before putting on my main computer.

Screenshots/Info/Download:
http://windowsxlive.net/seven-transformation-pack

This is version 2.0 that came out a few days ago. *Editor's pick [Brothersoft] and 5/5 [Softpedia].

Warning: You take risks when you tamper with your Operating System.

Searched several forums and websites gathering information about it. I recommend you do the same before installing it. The author adamantly claims it does a clean uninstall if you wish to remove it.

Features
* Boot screen
* Welcome Screen / Logon Screen
* New msstyles files (visual styles)
* New desktop and file icons
* New toolbar icons
* Progress Dialogs
* Sounds scheme
* System Tray icons
* New Wallpapers
* Some Windows 7's popular features
* And much more

You'll find a menu where you can disable certain features of the package if you don't like them. You can also just try the superbar emulator or the start menu/transparency skin here if you aren't extreme enough for the whole deal.

 

[Ravioli]

care to explain WHAT it IS ? A theme/Skin for XP or Windows 7? or something else?

 

[VirusType2]

It's a pack containing quite a few modifications to change Windows XP/Server2003/Vista to look and work more like the brand new Windows 7.

Take a look at the link: http://windowsxlive.net/seven-transformation-pack

Or use google to find more information:
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=off&q=Seven+Transformation+Pack&aq=f&aqi=g3&fp=c9fe100d9e542c1e

 

[Dinnesch]

I installed it, but it looks terrible on my 1024*768 resolution.
The text under desktop icons crosses each other, the quicklaunch icons are too small, and worst of all the Start Menu program list doesn't fit on my screen making alot of shortcuts inaccessible.

 

[Ravioli]

Cool, but why not just get Windows 7?

 

[VirusType2]

I installed it, but it looks terrible on my 1024*768 resolution.
The text under desktop icons crosses each other, the quicklaunch icons are too small, and worst of all the Start Menu program list doesn't fit on my screen making alot of shortcuts inaccessible.

That's the resolution my other computer uses. (that I was going to test it on)

So basically the taskbar and start menu aren't working well. Any other problems with it?

Looking at one of the screenshots, it appears that you can disable the individual features.

 

[Captain M4d]

Cool, but why not just get Windows 7?

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Wouldn't 7 run generally better than XP with the transformation pack?

 

[VirusType2]

Wow, you guys are really bright! If only the authors would have thought of that and saved them from wasting their time!

 

[Dinnesch]

That's the resolution my other computer uses.

So basically the taskbar and start menu aren't working well. Any other problems with it?

Looking at this screen, it appears that you can disable the individual features:

http://windowsxlive.net/seven-transformation-pack#

Well, I wanted the windows 7 'experience' so I didn't want to disable any features.

here are screen FYI. Note how some desktop icon's names go through each other and a whole row of start menu items is unreadable.
http://tinypic.com/r/9bhxjq/3
http://tinypic.com/r/1y5t3t/3

 

[VirusType2]

Pic #1
No that's not looking right at all. It's also supposed to be transparent.

1) Change the icon size. Right click the desktop and go to properties. See if that helps.

2) You might want to retry installing it in safe mode.

Pic #2
I've got 4... nearly 5 rows of programs on my start menu, so... no way that is acceptable.


I haven't tried it yet, but I did use a Vista pack like this before. It was awesome looking, but it had a couple bugs that were deal breakers for me. Shame.

* Windows 7 Starter: $199
* Windows 7 Home Premium: $259
* Windows 7 Professional: $299
* Windows 7 Ultimate: $319

 

[Captain M4d]

Wow, you guys are really bright! If only the authors would have thought of that and saved them from wasting their time!

Hey, thanks for not actually answering the question. I was being serious.

 

[VirusType2]

Dinnesch, why does it say Windows Vista on your start menu? Oh, you are using Vista? Well, it looks like it didn't upgrade your start menu. Vista support is a new feature for the pack, and maybe it's more buggy than for XP.

I would just uninstall it, or you could try installing it in safe mode like I suggested.

As you can see on the screenshot in my first post that the Start menu and taskbar is totally different than yours...

"This screenshot uses Vista Rainbar, ViStart, ViSplore, ViGlance, and TrueTransparency only. Very low CPU usage"

 

[Iced_Eagle]

...

Why are you quoting the FULL price of Windows 7? If this is a transformation pack for WinXP, wouldn't it be more fair to post the upgrade prices instead, since you can use an upgrade license on XP (however, it's not possible to do an inplace upgrade).

Here's honestly the only Win7 SKU people need to care about anyways:

Win7 Home Premium Upgrade: $120

Also, if you get the family pack, it's $150 and includes the licenses for up to 3 computers... It's a no-brainer IMHO.

 

[VirusType2]

Why are you quoting the FULL price of Windows 7? If this is a transformation pack for WinXP, wouldn't it be more fair to post the upgrade prices instead, since you can use an upgrade license on XP (however, it's not possible to do an inplace upgrade).

Really? I didn't know that. Mind explaining how it will work? Do I need an XP key or how does that work? Once I've installed 7, will I be able to re-install it without having to install XP first? Because that's a hassle.

Here's honestly the only Win7 SKU people need to care about anyways:

Win7 Home Premium Upgrade: $120

I spent about an hour looking for the features lists of the different versions of 7 and didn't find it. Isn't this missing a lot of features? Are you not concerned with XP mode? Because, to me, that seems like an important crutch, especially for older software, or software that is no longer being updated.

Also, if you get the family pack, it's $150 and includes the licenses for up to 3 computers... It's a no-brainer IMHO.

Really, that's pretty cool. Me and 'the fam' could split the cost.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

I'm not 100% sure on the process as I've never done it myself, but I believe that you just have to start installation within Windows XP (put in the disc when it's running so it can ensure that you have a valid copy of WinXP).

In terms of re-installing Win7, if you want to do the whole formatting and such, then I believe you may have to reinstall XP first, as it is an upgrade license. I'm not sure if there's a way to tell the installer that you have a copy of XP without it actually starting from XP.

In terms of features, here's the SKU differences. Big note here, but Home Premium and Professional are going to be the ONLY SKU's that you will find in stores. No Home Basic, no Ultimate, no Starter. You only have a choice between basically a normal user or a business user edition. What's also nice this time is that with each SKU, it's a superset of the previous SKU's, which means it only adds things, and doesn't take them away. In Vista for example, Business edition didn't have media center (which was good thinking in the sense that business people usually don't need it, but normal people got screwed if they accidently bought that, or when people use their PC for both home and office which is why they changed).

There aren't compelling reasons for Professional for most people I think.

I am absolutely not concerned with XP Mode in any way, shape or form. I've been using Vista since it was in the beta days, and I'm now on Win7 Ultimate. I have the capability to if I wanted to, but there is no use. The only applications that need XP Mode are mostly old business apps.

Windows has done a good job of making sure their API's are fairly backwards compatible. Most times, software just fails because it does an incorrect version check of the OS, or it's used to always running in administrator mode. That's why Windows has the Compatibility option to trick an app into thinking it's on a different OS to pass the version check, and you have the option to always run an app in admin mode.

It is definitely way over-hyped, especially since it's only real use is in business.

If you give me names of some software you're concerned about, just list them and if I can I'll try testing them in Win7. In complete honesty though, you don't have to hang onto XP anymore, even XP Mode.

 

[Dinnesch]

Home Basic looks pretty good, I think I'll be getting that when buying a new pc. I'm sick of using pirated XP versions, its very hard to get updates.
My only real concern is bugs, just like when XP and Vista were new it was a disaster to use them, while they're both pretty stable now.

 

[VirusType2]

Iced Eagle:

Yeah, I think you're right. I don't see anything beyond Premium that I would use, and as such, it would just bloat my installation.

I definitely want a retail copy though, not an OEM or upgrade. I'll have to think about it.


Dinnesch, you know Home Basic does not have Aero/Glass interface?

 

[Dinnesch]

Iced Eagle:
Dinnesch, you know Home Basic does not have Aero/Glass interface?

Yes, but I've never really cared about those skins. I usually stick with the Classic interface, or sometimes I use a costum one for a few weeks till i get bored with it.

 

[VirusType2]

I know what you mean, I've been using classic since forever. Luna was pretty lackluster on XP. But, I think I could learn to get used to the Aero Glass.

 

[Dinnesch]

I know what you mean, I've been using classic since forever. Luna was pretty lackluster on XP. But, I think I could learn to get used to the Aero Glass.

At least I wouldn't pay $40 for it

 

[VirusType2]

Maybe you could get 7TP working!

What did you end up doing? I recommend you uninstall it, check to make sure everything is back to normal, then try installing it in safe mode or just forget it.

I still haven't felt like trying it yet. I've got 2 extra [strike]guinea pigs[/strike] computers to try it, but I'm just not that excited TBH.

Something like 60 people commented saying it was fantastic, with only a handful complaining that something went wrong.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

Home Basic looks pretty good, I think I'll be getting that when buying a new pc. I'm sick of using pirated XP versions, its very hard to get updates.
My only real concern is bugs, just like when XP and Vista were new it was a disaster to use them, while they're both pretty stable now.

Ew, no. Please, don't get home basic...

You guys miss out on a lot of cool features like Media Center then! If you've never tried it, hook your computer up to cable, and enjoy the power of having your computer as a DVR, streaming DVD library to anywhere in the house (including your 360 :cheese: ), etc...

For 90% of everyone, I will always recommend Home Premium. Don't go lower, and for money reasons, I wouldn't suggest going higher unless there's must-have features for you (domain support for example).

 

[No Limit]

There aren't compelling reasons for Professional for most people I think.

I'll pay the premium for professional just so I could have remote desktop. Most people might not need it but it's an awesome feature.

 

[Dinnesch]

Ew, no. Please, don't get home basic...

You guys miss out on a lot of cool features like Media Center then! If you've never tried it, hook your computer up to cable, and enjoy the power of having your computer as a DVR, streaming DVD library to anywhere in the house (including your 360 :cheese: ), etc...

Why would I use a shitty fullscreen app if I can also use much better programs like VLC? Most features offered by any version above Home Basic have better free alternatives IMO.