Windows Vista

Windows Vista is the newest and current operating system offered to the public by Microsoft. It has tried to integrate the usability of the previous Windows XP with a slew of new features and the glitz of a new user interface.

However, while built from the ground up, it is still considered a small step in the operating system’s evolution. As such, many feel that the new features are not worth upgrading Windows XP, especially considering the high system requirements needed to run Windows Vista, compatibility issues with some software, digital rights management, and authorization protocols. The negative criticisms of Windows Vista have held back its initial drive into the computer market. Its introduction and performance have been less spectacular than that of Windows XP when it was first unveiled in October of 2001.

The New eXPerience

In the months leading up to the introduction of Windows Vista, an alternative to the OS quietly emerged for those who sought the appeal of the new interface along with the implementation of Windows Vista features. This, once known as the Longhorn Transformation Pack, has now become the Vista Transformation Pack.

Download: Vista Transformation Pack 9.0.1

The original Longhorn Transformation Pack came as software package by Windows X to give users a taste of the then newest OS prototype, Longhorn. This was the stepping-stone for Microsoft into the final version of the OS, and represented a middle ground between XP and Vista. It began to introduce features that are now present in Vista such as Desktop Composition Engine (DCE), Desktop Windows Manager (DWM) and the sidebar. The public interest in Longhorn catalyzed the creation of the transformation pack. Out of passion and out of interest for Longhorn, the transformation pack was created and released with great success. After the change of gears at Redmond to pursue Windows Vista, the transformation pack followed suit and renamed itself.

The goal of the Vista Transformation Pack is to emulate the look, feel and features of Windows Vista with the highest fidelity possible. With each successive version, Vista Transformation Pack has strived to improve its library of authentic Windows Vista elements so that Windows XP users can also enjoy the new “wow” experience.

Throughout the life of Vista Transformation Pack, it has garnered acclaim and recognition for being the best software package in the emulation field. It has consistently been featured on Softpedia as the Softpedia Pick and earned the Soft32’s Editor’s Review Award. According to other reviewers:

"Vista Transformation Pack has loads of little details that can make your XP computer look as if it's running Vista, without the hassle (or cost) of upgrading. The spinning blue circle totally kicks the XP hourglass' butt.” – Cnet.com

“Yeap, it looks like Vista. Very,very close indeed. If I had sat down to the system without using a magnifying class, and not knowing VTP was installed, I would of said this was in fact Vista.” –Ron Schenone, Lockergnome.com

“This is probably one of the best transformation packs out there.” – Nick Mead, Softonic.com

“All in all, taking the trouble of downloading and installing the free Windows Vista Transformation Pack is worth the Vista experience.” – Download3000.com

Over time, the list of features has increased phenomenally and the line separating Windows XP and Windows Vista has slowly blurred and faded away.