Well, it's supposed to be released in late June 2008. However, due to various circumstances, I'm still amazed myself that it could have gone this far to nearly a year gap release from 8.0 to 9.0. However, I didn't sit idlely during these months doing nothing for sure ;) Reasons why this program is marked as adware:
Vista Transformation Pack v9.0
2008-11-12
Vista Transformation Pack 9.0 Keynotes
New 3rd-party applications
- ViSplore - Vista Glass explorer simulator
- Vista Drive Icon - adding free space percentage in your drive icon like Vista explorer
- Vista Rainbar - Lightweight Vista sidebar based on Rainmeter that even consume less resources than real Vista Sidebar
Improved 3rd-party applications
- ViStart - Files indexing for documents search, improved reliability and compatibilities
- ViOrb - Improved graphic and reliability (C++ re-written)
- TrueTransparency - Improved reliability with improved AeroStyle's glass border
- WinFlip - Improved stability and reliablity
New functionalities
- Setup personization - Allow customizing Vista experiences upon installation without access to Welcome Center
- Windows XP Service Pack 3 compatibilities - Now you can enjoy Vista themes after installation with Windows XP Service Pack 3
- x64 compatibilities - More secured x64 installation without getting hurt by incompatibilities
There're also a lot of bug fixes and refinements in the program but let's just keep it simple with these for now. You can experience the rest later by yourself.
Changelog
-Added Gavatx's Vista Rainbar 4.3 (Slim) in place of Thoosje's Vista Sidebar
-Added large icon resizing option for high resolution monitors
-Added Personalization setup screen for configuring current user account before installation
-Added running ViStart, ViOrb and ViSplore to WindowBlinds and TrueTransparency's exclusion list (prevent stability issues)
-Added ViSplore project (Vista Glass Explorer for Windows XP/2003)
-Added Vista Drive Icon in place of Vista Windows Drive Icon
-Added Windows XP Service Pack 3 uxtheme patching compatibilities
-Fixed automate 3rd-party applications optimization requirements
-Fixed graphic driver detection issues in transformation package for cases that doesn't use the first slot of driver
-Fixed OS detection incompatibilities with Windows Vista
-Fixed possible errors when auto-configuring user account during installation without "Express Mode"
-Fixed Thoosje Sidebar's auto-configuration bug on some resolutions.
-Fixed uninstallation script to terminate newly added applications such as WinFlip, TrueTransparency, etc.
-Fixed Vista orb positioning in "System Properties" dialog
-Fixed WindowBlinds' installation detection bug in configure user account dialog
-Updated Aero Style's glass border for more visibility and less distortion for both WindowBlinds and TrueTransparency
-Updated AeroStyle's glass border in TrueTransparency to simulate "little-blurring-like" WindowBlinds
-Updated boot screen to traditional ones without Vista flag
-Updated configure user account's installed components and applications UI
-Updated "Glass" sounds scheme from Windows Vista's Ultimate Extras
-Updated installation branding bar image
-Updated TrueTransparency to version 0.9.4
-Updated ViOrb to version 1 (C++ re-written)
|-Added start orb's right click menu
|-Fixed hook recovery when explorer shell is reloaded
|-Fixed always on top visibility issues with some applications including ViStart
|-Updated start orb graphic to for all sides compatibilities
-Updated ViStart to version 2.0 build 3467
|-Added font customization feature in settings.xml
|-Added indexing file search support like Vista (you can search for extension with .ext)
|-Added "Reset Shell" in menu option to reload explorer along with ViStart
|-Added multi-DPI Support
|-Fixed Chinese characters issue with Recent Documents
|-Fixed hook recovery when explorer shell is reloaded
|-Fixed start menu's hooking reliability with full screen and resolution changes
|-Fixed strange ActiveX errors
-Updated Visual style's top taskbar background to have the same image as bottom's like Vista
-Updated WinFlip to version 0.50
-Updated wording in some areas for easier understanding
-Updated x64 operating systems compatibilities
Bring to your desktop the look of Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system
I'm pretty sure you must know and have seen Windows Vista before. It looks really nice for major GUI updates. Many people who have seen it wish to get Vista-style looks for their operating system. It might sounds stupid to say this since you all know what it is but just bear it
Vista Transformation Pack will transform your Windows user interface to ultimate Windows Vista alike looks that everyone will never notice it's the same old Windows XP (or 2003).
Vista Transformation Pack gives to your Windows XP system the fresh and cool look of Microsoft's new operating system: Windows Vista. The pack changes most of the system icons, skins and toolbars and also adds new enhancements to your desktop.
You sure will be surprised if you hear this. From now on you can update Vista Transformation Pack without uninstalling and you can even integrate Vista Transformation Pack into Windows setup files. (Still experimental, though but most of them are fine enough to be implemented).
Here are some key features of "Vista Transformation Pack":
· Boot screen
· Welcome Screen / Logon Screen
· New msstyles files (visual styles)
· New desktop and file icons
· New toolbar icons
· Progress Dialogs
· Sounds scheme
· System Tray icons
· New Wallpapers
· Windows Media Player Skins
What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]
· Added ViSplore in unsafe applications list (It's first beta version after all)
· Added restrcting applications don't meet the requirements from startup list (But not from installation so you can set it manually still)
· Added restrcting to set unsafe applications in Personalization page (Welcome Center only)
· Fixed Windows XP Service Pack 3 compatibilities (Even non-RTM version can apply so make sure you use official build 5512)
· Fixed "Do not show this welcome screen after restart" option bug that always keep program in startup instead
· Updated Vista Rainbar's launcher for constant waiting cursor activity issue
· Updated Vistalize basic desktop theme components to apply font and toolbar in Personalization
· Updated VisualTooltip default configuration to set area space in bottom from 30 to 0
· Updated WinFlip's configuration for higher reliablity and compatibilities with ViStart
· Changes browser homepage to http://www.windowsxlive.net/
