excerpt from activewin's page... http://www.activewin.com/reviews/software/operating-sys/winxppro/style.shtml
Now that we have seen what’s new in the start menu & taskbar let’s have a look at the desktop. Windows XP’s desktop now sports 32 bit color icons that feature an ‘aqua’ style. Sure it’s still possible to configure the desktop to be displayed in 16 bit color but icons aren’t as beautiful as they should be. Unlike previous versions of Windows, the wallpaper isn’t degraded by icons’ labels since Microsoft has made them transparent! Icons are Alpha-blended so they have smooth edges with a slightly shade effect. Windows XP also comes with an impressive list of cute desktop wallpapers to adapt the desktop to your mood.
Microsoft Windows XP Wallpapers list (click to enlarge)
Microsoft Windows XP Display Performance (click to enlarge)
Windows XP is supposed to be the first Microsoft operating system to be skin-able. Only two skins are bundled with the system:the well known Luna default skin and the Windows classic one. Initially Windows XP Home and Professional editions were expected to feature two different skins, (along with the classic one) but Microsoft has given up providing one common skin for both OS. Switching to the classic skin will restore a Windows 2000 like interface but frankly itis not as interesting. Windows XP does include all the native APIs to skin the operating system, however due to time constraints Microsoft didn’t include supplementary skins. Maybe some Microsoft skins will be available later on Windows Update but it’s a fact WindowsBlinds will let you skin the OS at your convenience.
Microsoft Windows XP Themes Dialog Box (click to enlarge)
The colors of the so called “luna” skin can be changed letting you add your own touch for a bit of variation. There are only three color themes actually available: the blue, the silver and the olive green one. The olive one is a pure horror, while the silver and blue color themes are nice: selecting one of these color themes will change the colors of the taskbar, start menu and the windows title bar and borders. Rumors state that Microsoft has copper, ruby, emerald, and night color schemes in its drawers but it’s unsure whether these exciting new schemes will be released or not.
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