Windows Tools, Help & Guides

This guide is part of the Windows Desktop Theme Customization Series. If you want to learn how to install Themes in your version of Windows or want to locate some new themes, head here. If you’d like to keep up with this series and other articles from this site, subscribe here.

Here is a collection of themes compatible with Windows XP. Learn how to install theme here. Many themes only work on a specific operating system, architeture, and service pack. i.e. Vista SP2 x86. Please read the instructions for each theme very carefully.

Chromes for XP

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This guide is part of the Windows Desktop Theme Customization Series. If you want to learn how to install Themes in your version of Windows or want to locate some new themes, head here. If you’d like to keep up with this series and other articles from this site, subscribe here.

Note: Please create a create a restore point before patching system files. Many themes only work on a specific operating system, architeture, and service pack. i.e. Vista SP2 x86. Please read the instructions for each theme very carefully.

Installing desktop themes on your Windows XP machine takes just a few minutes . Learn, in this guide, how to patch system files and install themes.

Patch Your System Files to Install Themes

To install a theme, do the following:

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If you like to customize you Windows installation, you may have considered adding a theme. In this series, you’ll learn how to install a theme and then I’ll share the very best themes with you; this, if you already know how to install a theme, you’ll find greater benefit at the end of the week when I link to the themes. If you’re new to this, take your time, and be sure to seek help in the forums.

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Please Note: This guide involves working with the Windows Registry. If this is your first time editing the registry, please read this guide to get you started. Learn how to backup and restore your registry here.

If you are tired of the balloon tips coming up in Windows XP or Vista, this quick simple guide will help you remove them. You can also bring them back again if you miss the company…

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Office 2007 comes with a utility named Groove and I assume you already know that because you’re reading this guide. Learn how to remove it below.

I have no need for Groove, which syncs your documents for collaboration with others. If you have no need for this, you can do either of the following: remove Groove completely or remove references to the groove in Windows Explorer.

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If you are like me and never use Windows Messenger, you may want to remove it. In this guide, you’ll learn how to remove Windows Messenger from Windows XP.

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If you are running Windows XP and want your system to look more like Windows 7, then this guide is for you. Vishal Gupta, Microsoft MVP at askvg.com has made a simple installer to change Windows XP, visually, into Windows 7. His instructions are clear and simple, so head on over and learn how to make Windows XP look like Windows 7.

Below is a screenshot of my XP desktop with the first stage of the transformation. I think it looks really good and you can have this effect too.

Transfrom Windows XP to Windows 7 without Using a Transformation Pack

Dishant has written a helpful post, on adding a ‘Delete Folder Contents’ to the right-click context menu, on Windows Forums.

This guide works for Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

Thanks Dishant!

This guide is included as part of the Windows Guides security and administration series. In this guide, you will learn what the Windows Registry is, how to access and configure it, and how to backup and restore it.

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This guide is included as part of the Windows Guides security and administration series. In this guide, you will learn what the Group Policy Editor is and how to access and configure it.

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