How to Make Vista
Look like XP

You've finally replaced your old computer with a shiny new machine loaded with all the current bells and whistles - and Microsoft Vista. Vista runs slower and isn't as stable as the XP operating system that was most likely on your old machine, although it is eye-appealing, with breath-taking colors and fancy buttons, semi-transparent title bars and an overall three-dimensional appearance.

Vista may be pretty, but there are more than a few people who yearn to return to the practical XP they've grown accustomed to over the years. Plainly put, Vista is different from XP, and that can be frustrating and impact productivity unfavorably. The graphical user interface found in most editions of Vista, Windows Aero (Authentic, Energetic, Reflective and Open) is intended to be a cleaner, more powerful and more efficient interface, but eats up system resources and causes performance issues as well.

Since Vista is installed in most new computers, the average user doesn't have the option of switching back to XP, but there are some tweaks and tricks to make the situation better. They won't make Vista work exactly like XP does, but they will improve Vista's performance and give the visual interface a more familiar and comfortable look.

Begin by right-clicking on an empty area of your Vista desktop. Select Personalize from the pop-up menu that appears. This will open the Windows Control Panel. From there, choose the Window Color and Appearance link. Then click the Enable Transparency check box to remove the check mark.

While you are still in the Window Color and Appearance dialog box, click the link labeled "Open classic appearance properties for more color options." The Appearance Settings dialog box will open, and you will find color schemes from which you can choose. If you choose the Windows Vista Basic theme, you will keep the Vista look but lose its transparency effects. The Windows Standard theme will create the appearance of Windows 2000, while Windows Classic will recreate the Windows 95/98 appearance.

The next task restores the old-style XP Start Menu with the fly-out program list. Go to the Vista Start menu and right-click; then select Properties. The Taskbar and Start Menu dialog box will open. From there, select the Start Menu tab, and then click the Classic Start menu option button. Click OK, and you are back in familiar territory.

Did you prefer the XP hourglass point to Vista's blue circle? Get your hourglass back by right-clicking on an empty area of the Desktop, as you did before. Choose Personalize again, and then click Mouse Pointers. In the Scheme drop-down menu, select Windows Standard. You may choose between Large and Extra Large. Click OK.

Bring back your old friend My Computer too. To add the new Computer icon to the desktop, click the Start button, then right-click the Computer option and choose Show on Desktop from the pop-up menu.

Suppose someday you finally tire of the XP look and want to take Vista out for another spin? Never say "never". Just follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. Select Properties.
3. Select the Start Menu tab.
4. Click on the button next to Start Menu.
5. Choose the Customize button.
6. Click on the Use Default Settings button. This will restore all your Start Menu changes to the original Windows Vista Start Menu.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Apply to save your changes.
9. Exit the Properties window.
10. Remove the XP-style Start button by right-clicking your Vista Desktop and select Personalize.
11. Double-click Theme.
12. Select Windows Vista from the drop-down menu.
13. Click Apply.