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  1. #1
    Moderator techblitz's Avatar
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    Best Windows Theme

    I've got Windows Vista Basic (UGH) on my Inspiron 1440, and since my love of Metro is pretty well documented, I would like to spice my computer up with some Metro themes. Here is good Metro theme concept but I've yet to see themes like this in real life. This isn't mine, by the way.
    An Alternate Windows 8 User Experience | The Verge Forums

    Do you have any themes to share?



  2. #2
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    Mosaic is pretty solid for recreating the Metro look. And I've used Rainmeter and Omnimo to turn my desktop into a similar workspace. (The Omnimo website seems messed up, but a quick search will show you what it can make your desktop look like.

    Both are far cries from Windows 7, though, and lose a bit of functionality.

  3. #3
    Moderator techblitz's Avatar
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    Yeah, I've seen those but Rainmeter tends to be a power hog. I've tried my hand in theme development but I'm a far cry from a designer. If that photo was Picasso, I'm the guy who draws stick figures as "art."

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    Senior Member achmeingott's Avatar
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    I only made a few basic changes, I changed the start button from an orb to a more modern Windows logo, and then the Rainmeter skin I wrote myself to mirror the WP7 clock.



  5. #5
    Moderator techblitz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by achmeingott View Post
    I only made a few basic changes, I changed the start button from an orb to a more modern Windows logo, and then the Rainmeter skin I wrote myself to mirror the WP7 clock.


    I know there is a program that allows for that Windows 8 clock, but I don't want to corrupt my fresh copy of Windows just yet. Has anyone tried this? Add Windows 8 Style Clock To Your Windows 7 And Vista Desktop. Download Now! | Redmond Pie

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    I was really surprised how microsoft hasn't altered the desktop much, if at all to look metro-ey. A file explorer with that theme would make so much sense

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Mohammed View Post
    I was really surprised how microsoft hasn't altered the desktop much, if at all to look metro-ey. A file explorer with that theme would make so much sense
    You mean adding metro-esque tiles to the Explorer? Or changing the fonts and adding a generally minimalistic touch?

  8. #8
    Moderator techblitz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by johnnyb View Post
    You mean adding metro-esque tiles to the Explorer? Or changing the fonts and adding a generally minimalistic touch?
    The latter probably, but I wouldn't mind Live Tiles invading the desktop and the explorer
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    Moderator slack's Avatar
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    I will definitely try out these themes, with my Windows 7 i never really customized the theme itself just the backgrounds

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by slack View Post
    I will definitely try out these themes, with my Windows 7 i never really customized the theme itself just the backgrounds
    Metro is lust worthy in a way that Aero isn't. Just my opinion
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    Moderator slack's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by techblitz View Post
    Metro is lust worthy in a way that Aero isn't. Just my opinion
    I would completely agree with you actually. Have you tried out Windows 8 yet? My HDD died in my laptop and when i got a new one, put only the Consumer Preview of 8 on it and it runs really nicely, i especially like seeing all the new news out such as the "Refresh" feature which is a system restore with a new name, takes only 6 minutes! Completely rediculous, Microsoft is completely "Redesigning Windows"

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    I would object to placing tiles in the explorer and similar situations. On the desktop, that's fine. I would actually love to have the option of including live tiles on my desktop, but they would not be intuitive to use in a keyboard+mouse oriented file explorer.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by johnnyb View Post
    I would object to placing tiles in the explorer and similar situations. On the desktop, that's fine. I would actually love to have the option of including live tiles on my desktop, but they would not be intuitive to use in a keyboard+mouse oriented file explorer.
    I think they would help for revealing the contents of this folder, and they could cycle through so it's not a static preview
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    I would not be opposed to replacing icons (for folders, applications, etc) with Live Tiles. To be able to have your Outlook desktop icon show you that you have a new email or your hardware monitoring program show an updating temperature of your CPU and current fan speed as a % would be insanely useful.

  15. #15
    Moderator techblitz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by johnnyb View Post
    I would not be opposed to replacing icons (for folders, applications, etc) with Live Tiles. To be able to have your Outlook desktop icon show you that you have a new email or your hardware monitoring program show an updating temperature of your CPU and current fan speed as a % would be insanely useful.
    Like Rainmeter, but more power efficient and integrated straight into the OS. I'm not sure why it's not already in Windows 8 already!
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  16. #16
    Senior Member DjiXas's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by techblitz View Post
    I've got Windows Vista Basic (UGH) on my Inspiron 1440, and since my love of Metro is pretty well documented, I would like to spice my computer up with some Metro themes. Here is good Metro theme concept but I've yet to see themes like this in real life. This isn't mine, by the way.
    An Alternate Windows 8 User Experience | The Verge Forums

    Do you have any themes to share?
    I personally don't like the theme as it's too bland for me, lacks colors from the WP
    Life is not fair; get used to it. ~ Bill Gates

  17. #17
    Moderator techblitz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by slack View Post
    I would completely agree with you actually. Have you tried out Windows 8 yet? My HDD died in my laptop and when i got a new one, put only the Consumer Preview of 8 on it and it runs really nicely, i especially like seeing all the new news out such as the "Refresh" feature which is a system restore with a new name, takes only 6 minutes! Completely rediculous, Microsoft is completely "Redesigning Windows"
    Wow slack, we are literally the EXACT SAME PERSON. My HDD died in the Inspiron 1440, but before I sent it off to be replaced, I put the Consumer Preview on my laptop. I have tried it, and although some of the Metro side is a little too big for my tastes, I agree that it runs awesomely! Microsoft needs to Metrofy their desktop side and remove Aero as the default theme, though!
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  18. #18
    Moderator techblitz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DjiXas View Post
    I personally don't like the theme as it's too bland for me, lacks colors from the WP
    I don't know, I see it as mature looking and dignified in a way that the Metro side on Windows is not (way too many opposing colors!)
    Last edited by techblitz; 04-10-2012 at 10:08 AM.
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  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by techblitz View Post
    Wow slack, we are literally the EXACT SAME PERSON. My HDD died in the Inspiron 1440, but before I sent it off to be replaced, I put the Consumer Preview on my laptop. I have tried it, and although some of the Metro side is a little too big for my tastes, I agree that it runs awesomely! Microsoft needs to Metrofy their desktop side and remove Aero as the default theme, though!
    OMG! Seriously, just before it died, like 3 days before i installed Consumer Preview! Weird!

    I do agree, they need to get Aero off the default, it was nice but i love the Metro, and yes they need to Metrofy their desktop side as well! I'm just hoping the Beta is somewhat close to the final and not like Longhorn and Vista, completely different things lol

    slack = techblitz who knew?

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by slack View Post
    OMG! Seriously, just before it died, like 3 days before i installed Consumer Preview! Weird!

    I do agree, they need to get Aero off the default, it was nice but i love the Metro, and yes they need to Metrofy their desktop side as well! I'm just hoping the Beta is somewhat close to the final and not like Longhorn and Vista, completely different things lol

    slack = techblitz who knew?
    I'm going to ask a question that only I, and if you and I are the same person, slack would know. What is your favorite NHL team? (You are a professed Canadian, and I assume you follow the NHL!)
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