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| Developed by | Windows X and Lee Chantrey |
|---|---|
| Latest release | 9.0.1 / November 17, 2008 |
| OS | Windows XP/Server 2003 |
| Website | www.windowsxlive.net |
Vista Transformation Pack (also referred to as VTP) is a compilation of programs created for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. It has the ability to change the user interface to simulate the Windows Vista graphical user interface by adding several themes and visual styles, installing some third-party software, and patching system files. The program effectively simulates Windows Vista and is a popular choice[citation needed] for Windows XP users that prefer the Windows Vista appearance but do not want to actually install Windows Vista.
In the latest version (ver. 9), users can use ViSplore, an application that simulates the glass of the Windows Vista explorer. You are also able to get the Instant Search function and the new All Programs feature in the Start Menu using ViStart. Users can also get the Sidebar using former Thoosje's Vista Sidebar which includes 19 gadgets. The Sidebar has since been updated to Vista Rainbar, a far stabler and faster alternative. The Windows Aero feature is now part of the transformation pack, using a program called TrueTransparency or the user has the choice to buy WindowBlinds from Stardock.
VTP is the successor of Longhorn Transformation Pack (LTP), when Windows Vista was still known under its codename, Longhorn.
Contents |
Releases
Versions
VTP 1.0
Version 1.0 was the first version of the VTP, released in a forum. It included various features to make earlier versions of Windows look more like Vista. Some features included Vista icons, a Vista-themed logon screen, an updated Windows Sidebar, a Vista Aero theme and other GUI changes.
VTP 2.0
The second version of the VTP included some minor bug fixes, as well as new features. Some new features included window transparencies with Glass2k, fixes to the sidebar, more Vista-style icons and several other third-party applications to enhance the Vista feel of the pack. The update also included a new visual style with improved Vista effects. This version generally had the look of Windows Vista during its development around Build 5112.
VTP 3.0
This version included many bug fixes as well as updates to the visual styles, various icons, the logon screen, and other parts of the UI. The most notable addition was the WindowBlinds glass theme, which allowed for actual window border transparencies like Vista's Aero interface.
VTP 4.0
The fourth version fixed most of the remaining bugs and also added some new features, including more changes to icons and visual styles. A Vista-style system properties window was added, and a FAQ was included, as well.
VTP 5.0
Version 5 included many bug fixes, as well as some new visual features and a customizable setup file. Some of the notable features included a modified logon screen, updated visual styles an improved transformation process.
VTP 5.5
This is the updated version of 5.0. Version 5.5 fixed many of the problems from earlier versions. In version 5.5, many installation problems were fixed, missing files problems were remedied, and some new patches included. It also contained updated versions of Vista cursors, icons, tray icons, and the logon background.
VTP 6.0
Version 6 was built as a stepping stone for 7.0. It added the new Vista Sidebar made by Thoosje. Also, it included VisualTooltip, a program used to view thumbnails of open programs on the taskbar upon the mouse hovering on top of it. As usual, many bugs were fixed and Vista items were updated once again.
VTP 7.0
Although not a huge jump in physical appearance, Version 7 fixed many problems. An Express Mode was added the setup, making it easier to configure the setup for users. Also, ViStart, a Vista Start Menu port was added. Blaero's Start Orb was replaced with ViOrb, and many things were updated.
VTP 8.0
Version 8.0 basically fixed hotfix programs, allowed users to save changes made to the transforming information, and added/updated third-party applications. In this version, True Transparency was added to simulate the Aero theme, and WinFlip was added to simulate Flip 3D. (Both are disabled by default since TrueTransparency can be system taxing and the ViStart and ViOrb programs conflict with the version of WinFlip included in this version.)
VTP 8.0.1
Version 8.0.1 is the updated version of VTP 8. VTP 8.0.1 basically fixed some problems for better performance. It fixed some third-party applications, made pre-configured specifications to improve performance, and updated some configurations and system files.
VTP 9.0
Development
According to JXCP.net, the ninth version of VTP[1] includes a robust, instant and reliable My Document’s file search in ViStart, improved glass border, more visibility and less distortion on the blur (TrueTransparency now has improved borders to blur-like effects, to further the emulation of Windows Aero). Ultimate Extras are bundled with VTP 9.0 and it has full support for Windows XP Service Pack 3. Unfortunately. VTP's release was delayed due to Lee's vacation[2] and Windows X's hacked Paypal and his email accounts[3].
While Windows X's accounts had been hacked, at suspiciously convenient times for Mr windows x, development for ViSplore at that time was still ongoing[4], alongside ViStart[5] and ViOrb.
Now, VTP 9 is completed[6] and has been released to the general public. [7] On November 11, a post on his website appeared. In it, it was confirmed that VTP 9 was coming out on November 12. The Visual Styles Pack's update will also released after the release of VTP 9 with the skin and have the TrueTransparency skin included.
Features
VTP 9 has added some 3rd party applications, including ViSplore (an application that simulates the glass of Windows Vista explorer program), Vista Rainbar (in place of Thoosje's Sidebar due to too much consumption of memory, and unanswered confirmation), and Vista Drive Icon to simulate the progress bar which were found after the drive icon and name in Vista's explorer.
VTP 9 has fixed many problems, some of the updates was based on VTP Express Updater. Some of the updated and fixed problems which were not included on VTP Express Updater are the Vista Orb positioning in "System Properties" dialog, updated its compatibilities on x64-based OS, adeed some large icon resizing option for high resolution monitors, added Personalization setup screen for configuring current user account before installation, fixed graphic driver detection issues in the package for cases that doesn't use the first slot of driver, the bootscreen without the Vista flag, fixed possible errors when auto-configuring user account during installation without "Express Mode", updated the visual style's top taskbar background, and more.
It also updated some of its 3rd-party applications, including ViOrb (which was rewritten), WinFlip, TrueTransparency, etc.
VTP 9.0.1
Due to many problems, issues, crashes, and bugs on VTP 9, Windows X released an update named VTP 9.0.1[8]. In this version, he added ViSplore in unsafe applications list since it is first beta version, fixed Windows XP SP3 compatibilities, fixed "Do not show this welcome screen after restart" option bug that always keep program in startup instead, updated Vista Rainbar's launcher for constant waiting cursor activity issue, updated WinFlip's configuration for higher reliablity and compatibilities with ViStart, and he added restricted applications that doesn't meet the requirements from startup list. VTP 9.0.1 was released on November 17.[9]
But, according to many users, VTP 9.0.1 has still bugs (only minor), but some of the major bugs and errors are fixed.
Miscellaneous releases
VTP Express Updater for Welcome Center
Although not a completely new version, this update fixes multiple problems from the previous version. The update features enhancements from Version 9. It updates certain issues such as incorrect WindowBlinds detection, non-optimal Vista optimization, the bloated bar in some areas within Windows Explorer, Thoosje's Vista Sidebar bugs, and also helps the user manage their way to gaining Vista experiences more easily. Most major issues from ver. 8.0.1 are fixed. Although the update contains enhancements from version 9.0, the final release of 9.0 may or may not reflect upon the update.
Criticism
Poor performance
Vista Transformation Pack has been linked to a large number of performance issues involving RAM usage. There have been some reports of the Vista Transformation Pack using up to 3GB of RAM at idle. The Vista Transformation Pack has also been known to cause some CPUs to run at 100% usage while at idle.[citation needed]
However, many users have reported that VTP barely uses any CPU speed whether in idle or in use (3% OR lower). Also, most reports state that very little RAM is used.[citation needed]
Inaccurate programs
Vista Transformation Pack included additional software that was supposed to add more to the Vista feeling to Windows in previous builds. For example, the included program Glass2k made the entire window transparent, which is far from the Windows 'Aero' transparency, and LClock, the system tray clock replacement, simulated the look of older Vista builds (known as Longhorn). Longhorn's styled clock was removed from the final Vista builds. Of course, these programs were, and still are, able to be disabled by the user through VTP's Welcome Center.
Viruses in the pack
Some virus scanners reported a Trojan to be present in the Transformation Pack, but those were all false positives. The virus scanners detected it as a virus due to its patching of some system files, such as uxtheme.dll. In the newest versions of the pack, and the most up to date anti-virus software, there should be no more false positives. Virus scanners may continue to detect problems, but there should be no real problems as long as the user has downloaded the pack from its official source.
VTP 9: A beta version
Some of the users like to call VTP 9 a beta version[7] due to some 3rd-party applications that has too many bugs, and frequent crashes on the pack when installing and after installing, performance issues, and more. It has also bugs on the detection on Windows XP SP3 OS, Vista Rainbar, etc. Windows X released an update regarding these problems named VTP 9.0.1.
References
- ^ Things to expect in up-coming Vista Transformation Pack
- ^ Lee to stay in 2 weeks...Delay
- ^ Hacked paypal account making VTP9 delayed!
- ^ ViSplore - Finishing Touches
- ^ When can we expect ViStart 6 final version?
- ^ Vista Transformation Pack, Close to "Completion".
- ^ a b "Vista Transformation Pack: Released" (November 2008). Retrieved on 2008-12-11.
- ^ "Vista Transformation Pack 9.0.1 to be released next Monday" (November 2008). Retrieved on 2008-14-11.
- ^ "Vista Transformation Pack 9.0.1, it's fixed" (November 2008). Retrieved on 2008-18-11.
