What's the difference?

from WinCustomize Forums
Hi group -

Are there big differences between WindowBlinds, WinStyles, and Styles XP? I've done some reading on all and it seems like they are all similar. Is it the individual choice/preference? Which is the best to download? Are the themes/styles completely packaged or do you have to download each piece separately? (e.g. icons, wallpaper, cursors)

I'm asking a lot of questions because I'm new to this and it's is very interesting and I wanna be able to create my own themes/skins and submit them.

Thanks,
Crazysxycool
2,073 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Both Windoblinds and StyleXP 'modify' or skin the same parts of the GUI, generally speaking.
The former is a stand-alone program which can utilize graphic card acceleration to be speedy and efficient, and is endorsed by the author of the Operating System it is applied to and intended for.
The latter is a 'modified' breaking of the inbuilt 'protection' against unauthorized skinning of the OS, and is naturally not endorsed by the OS manufacturer.
It is claimed, but never proven that StyleXP can apply itself faster than Windowblinds, however subsequent tests beg to differ.

Windowblinds has the capability of being applied to more applications than StyleXP and is not dependent on the OS actually BEING 'XP', it works on all 9x, and later OS versions.

For skinners, Windowblinds provides far greater flexibility in skin 'style'/layout, and supports many functional [and useful] additions to the interface that StyleXP is inherently incapable of....
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks for the info Jafo. So in essence I really don't need to download Style XP and I'll be find with just windowblinds?

Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Right on. Go with the windowblinds.


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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Crazysxycool...in a word, yes.

There is nothing inherently 'wrong' with StyleXP, the only issue being that subsequent XP OS Service Packs 'may' actually break their functionality as the system files are revised and/or improved.
Stand-alone proggies such as Windowblinds are safe from this possible drama...

As many/most skinners will agree, Windowblinds is the better choice for showcasing their creativity, and therefore will give you, the user a better selection of diverse 'styles'...