StyleXP vs. WindowsBlinds

In a nutshell:

WindowBlinds extends the Windows XP visual style engine to support WindowBlinds format visual styles. Its visual styles offer considerably more features than Microsoft's msstyles format.

Style XP patches a system file called uxtheme.dll so that you can use additional msstyles. By default, Windows XP does not allow users to install msstyles that are not certified by Microsoft (for obvious support reasons).

Both cost the same. ($20).

This site doesn't carry msstyles visual styles because (a) It's the official WindowBlinds visual styles skin site (owned by Stardock) and (b) There are potential legal issues with msstyles since many of them include shellstyle.dll, a copyrighted Microsoft DLL (and even .msstyles files may contain Microsoft copyrighted material though no one has looked into that).

Realistically it really comes down to which skins you like the most and whether the features WindowBlinds has are compelling or not to you.

Here is an article that goes into depth:

http://draginol.stardock.com/Articles/xpskinning.html

Listen to Brad, he is right for the most part.
I personnaly prefer Windowblinds for many reasons, but mostly because there are just much more excellent skins for it.
But although, Style XP itself is 20$, the UXTheme patch itself is free. It's not a software, it's just a patch. But it's free.

So, the choice is yours: Pay 20$ for Windowblinds and you'll get a good software with many many amazingly great skins. Or get the UXTheme patch for free and use some of the few additional msstyle skins made. But actually buying MS Style, in my opinion is pointless. It really doesn't do much more than what just installing the free patch does.

And with any luck, your patch will still work after SP1.

Just opinion here:

StyleXP =
WB =

I would recommend spending the extra and going for object desktop - loads of programs for very little money, you won't regret it.

I second Bill Sawyer's opinion, and I agree with Fuzzy Logic. Object Desktop is well worth the money.

Well, I wouldn't go that far. I don't understand why anybody would buy Style XP since the patch is free. But the msstyles format is a valid one. It works well. A very valid solution for the XP owner who doesn't want to spent 20$.

Yes, Fuzzy logic have reason! Object Desktop are very correct purchase.

If I could only choose one or the other then I would most definately go with Window Blinds if your watching your money but Object Desktop would only be an additional $20.00 ($49.00 total). It is well worth the price. That said, I also use StyleXP. I hate to incur the wrath of the regulars on this site and I am one of the silent regulars in that I don't often join the debates, but I really like StyleXP. It is true that it uses some jury rigging to get the job done but it also is very easy to implement and it has one feature that I really like. It enables you to use a different log on picture evertime you boot. A similar program called LogOn Studio can do pretty much the same thing but IMHO it is a bit kludgey and not as easy to utilize.

I just got done reading the link going into greater detail about msstyles supplied by Frogboy and I have to revise my thinking a bit. I didn't realize that I was breaking the rules. I am adding a section of the article that some people may miss by not reading the full page: "First there is the obvious support issues. How much technical support does Microsoft want to provide for people who download something that replaces their GUI? It's amazing how many people who proudly claim they never click on attachments in their email sent to them by strangers but will visit some website and replace system files (as a side note, things that change your boot screen are replacing bits in the Windows XP kernal, people who download logonui.exe's are literally running an EXE made by "some guy" on the net). So choosing how you do this sort of thing does require some care"
My system is protected by a image program that I can reinstall in a moments notice if anything serious happens. So maybe it would be better for a casual users to stay away from tampering with your O/S.
I stand corrected and should have read the article before I added my two cents.