Windows XP to Windows 2000

from WinCustomize Forums
Hello, do you perhaps know how to completely skin Windows XP so that it looks and feels exactly like Windows 2000?

I found an icon package with almost every icon from W2000 but that's not enough: most of the control panel icons are unchanged, and so are the toolbars (Explorer, IExplore, etc.)

Any hint? Thanks in advance

- andrea
1,814 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I suppose you could MAKE one, but Ive no idea WHY you would want to...
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
you don''t need to apply a skin, you need to remove the win xp skin which is by default applied.

right click on your desktop and Select ''properties''.. go to appearance, and in the drop down choose ''Windows Classic''. this will set you to the ''`98'' style interface which, so far as i''ve seen, is the similar look in win2k. with the icons, you''ll be set.

(.. why on earth would you WANT to do that?? )
[Message Edited]
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
now ''Select'' doesn''t work.. odd..
[Message Edited]
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
To continue the 2000 effect from DC....

Then right-click on the StartButton and Select Properties. Then Check Classic Start Menu.

After that find an older Icon package that might have win2000 icons and use IconPackager to apply it.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Right, I know that. But it's not enough: so I even got an ICON PACKAGE. I have almost completely restored the look and feel of Windows 2000 to Windows XP... but it's not complete: how do I apply a toolbar skin? And where do I find some?
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Re toolbar bitmaps You can take the bitmaps from browseui.dll and replace the ones in the XP brouwseui (they are pngs in XP but it doesn't matter) . This does work. I have done it.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is funny. The point of XP is to have a more powerful gui, take that away and it's basically Windows 2000. So why not just install Windows 2000, it would save time and 2000 uses less resources than XP.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Uncorrect. XP has a lot of kernel changes, additional api functions, and far far better support for dual processors (which is my case)
Also, it comes in a 64 bit version (which, again, is my case) - where 2000 doesn't. Yet, I can't metabolize Xp's visual style. I hate it with all my heart-


ps. Trust a coder, and never believe who says that 2000 and Xp are the same thing.