Vista Transformation Pack

Vista Transformation Pack
Developer(s) Windows X and Lee Chantrey
Stable release
9.0.1 / November 17, 2008
Operating system Windows XP, Server 2003
Website www.windowsxlive.net

Vista Transformation Pack (VTP) is a third-party compilation of programs created to simulate the Windows Vista graphical user interface (GUI) on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

The program effectively simulates Windows Vista for Windows users who like the Windows Vista appearance but do not want to actually install Windows Vista. It does this by adding Windows Vista-like themes, wallpapers and visual styles; by installing third-party programs to simulate certain Vista features; and by patching system files.

In the latest version (ver. 9.0.1), users can use ViSplore, an application that simulates the Windows Vista Explorer application. Users 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 Vista Sidebar using former Thoosje's Vista Sidebar which includes 19 gadgets. The Sidebar has since been updated to Vista Rainbar, a faster and more stable alternative. The Windows Aero feature is now part of the transformation pack, supported either through the free program TrueTransparency or the non-free WindowBlinds software from Stardock.

VTP is the successor of Longhorn Transformation Pack (LTP), the name given to it when Windows Vista was still being developed under the codename Longhorn. It has been superseded by Seven Transformation Pack, a simulation of the Windows 7 GUI.

Release history

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, TrueTransparency 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 Express Updater for Welcome Center (VTP 9.0 Pre-release)

A pre-release version of VTP 9.0. 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.

VTP 9.0

Development

According to JCXP.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 Windows X, development for ViSplore at that time was still ongoing,[4] alongside ViStart[5] and ViOrb. This is because Lee-Soft (the developer of ViApps) and Windows X are two separate entities. As of November 2011 their partnership was broken and Windows X was forbidden from using Lee-Soft's software such as ViStart in his transformation packs.

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 was 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:

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:

It also updated some of its 3rd-party applications, including ViOrb (which was rewritten), WinFlip, and TrueTransparency.

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 have many bugs, and frequent crashing during the pack's installation and after installing, performance issues, and more. It also contains bugs on the detection on Windows XP SP3 OS, Vista Rainbar, etc.

VTP 9.0.1

The update for VTP 9 due to many problems, issues, crashes, and bugs on VTP 9.[8] In this version, changes were seen in the pack, including:

VTP 9.0.1 was released on November 17.[9] However, according to many users, VTP 9.0.1 still contains minor bugs, but most of the major bugs and errors are fixed.

This is the last and final version of Vista Transformation Pack. It was succeeded by Seven Transformation Pack

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.

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.

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.

References

  1. ↑ Things to expect in up-coming Vista Transformation Pack
  2. ↑ Lee to stay in 2 weeks...Delay
  3. ↑ Hacked PayPal account making VTP9 delayed!
  4. ↑ ViSplore - Finishing Touches
  5. ↑ When can we expect ViStart 6 final version?
  6. ↑ Vista Transformation Pack, Close to "Completion".
  7. 1 2 "Vista Transformation Pack: Released". November 2008. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
  8. ↑ "Vista Transformation Pack 9.0.1 to be released next Monday". November 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-14. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  9. ↑ "Vista Transformation Pack 9.0.1, it's fixed". November 2008. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. Retrieved 2008-11-18. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
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