Aero theme similar to XP


  1. eddyad37
    Posts : 22
    Windows 7
       New #1

    Aero theme similar to XP


    I have W7 on a laptop and I want an Aero theme which is as visible as XP.
    I'm aware of the 'Classic' themes and can supply my own background. This would be OK but to play DVDs for some reason I have to use an Aero theme. The DVD players installed by Toshiba insist on this. The players are far superior to Media Center so that is not an acceptable alternative.

    But Aero seems to have built in visibility problems:
    - Almost invisible minimize/maximize/close symbols
    - ditto scrollbars
    - too much pale blue and silver
    - poor column indication in folder views
    - terrible 'highlighting' - very pale blue on white!
    - Pictorial desktops just mess up icon visibility
    and more

    So I just want a plain darkish Aero theme with as much visibility as XP blue default. No 'eye-candy', no glass feature, no pastel colors, just plain old usability
    I've 'googled' for ages to no avail, so can anyone help please?

    Many thanks


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  3. Vertex
    Posts : 477
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 Bit, Windows Developer Preview, Linux Mint 9 Gnome 32 Bit
       New #2

    Why don't you just try to disable transparency? Right click on Desktop>>>Personalize>>>Window Color>>> uncheck "Enable Transparency" then Save Changes.

    Or change the theme to "Windows Classic". It will look like Windows XP with the gray taskbar and little or no eye candy and stuff but not the royal blue XP theme.
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  4. eddyad37
    Posts : 22
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks for the reply. I've disabled Transparency and as I mentioned the supplied DVD players only work with Aero, so Classic doesn't help.
    It's the wishy washy colors I don't like. Even with Intensity turned up and a dark window color, scrollbars etc are still very pale.
    I'm just looking for a color scheme like XP with decent contrast in folder windows etc.
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  6. Vertex
    Posts : 477
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 Bit, Windows Developer Preview, Linux Mint 9 Gnome 32 Bit
       New #4

    If you don't like Windows Media Center, why don't you just try to use other DVD players other than those from Toshiba to play DVD's so they don't force you to use Aero? I think WMC is no perfect but I use it quite often to watch live TV or sometimes FM radio on my PC but its not bad on my standards. It plays DVD's just fine for me and I even use my TV tuner's remote.

    Guess, there's a lot to find with a simple Google search. I found this theme on one of the first links, looks promising though.

    Transform Windows 7 into Windows XP, Download “Luna” Theme for Windows 7 - Tweaking with Vishal

    And here's another one:

    Download Windows XP Theme for Windows 7

    And a whole lotta results:

    http://www.google.com/cse?cx=0026834...tf-8&sa=Search
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  7. eddyad37
    Posts : 22
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Thank you for the extra info. I'll have a look at the themes and might try another player.
    It's just nice and simple to stick a DVD in the laptop and have it play on the TV.
    Thanks again - off to look at the links.
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