How To Make Windows Vista Look Like Windows XP

How To Make Windows Vista Look Like Windows XP

The problem:

I have friends who complain that they don't like the look-and-feel of Windows Vista. They want to get rid of all the Vista visual elements such as the round Start button and replace them with the XP visuals.

Windows Vista Desktop	Windows XP Desktop

You can make Vista look-and-feel like the more familiar XP.

The following procedure will produce a Vista computer with an XP look-and-feel. It's quick, it's easy, and it's almost fool-proof.

1. Left-click on  
2. In the Start menu,
   • Right click Computer
   • Select Properties
     
   or
   • Left-click on Control Panel
   • Left-click on System
3. In the left-hand Tasks pane, left-click Advanced System Settings
4. In the UAC dialog box
• left-click on  
or
• enter the name and password for the machine's administrator
5. On the Advanced tab, left-click Performance
6. On the Performance tab, left-click on  
7. Left-click "Adjust for Best Performance"

Be aware:
Changing the above, and then resetting back to the original, might alter some of your toolbars and desktop icons. That's the "almost" part of "almost foolproof."