This is my second post featuring my favorite skins from WindowBlinds. Since I’m tired of posting about personal stuff, might as well share some interesting stuff. For those of you who don’t know, WindowBlinds is a…

…program that enables Windows users to completely change the look and feel of Windows users interface. Users customize Windows by using visual styles (skins) created for WindowBlinds. With these skins, WindowsBlinds can change the look of Title bars, borders, Task bars, Start button, Start menu, Progress animations, Toolbar icons, Explorer Views, and virtually every other part of Windows! more from WindowBlinds website.

This program is free to use and usually expires after 60 days (after that, re-installing won’t reset the 60 day expiration). Aside from that, the free version is limited only to changing skins and tweak some settings. The licensed version ($19.95) of the software can do much more. It enables the “per pixel alpha” support on the windows and enables the ability to change the color of the skin.

This week, I found two outstanding new skins that made my Windows XP PC look much more than that of the GUI of Windows Vista.

Vienna XP

This Vienna XP skin was created by John Gordon – vStyler.

I love this skin! I wish this will be the basis of the GUI of the upcoming Windows 7 or Windows Vienna. I love transparency that’s why this skin is definitely a plus for me. The taskbar is semi-transparent as well as the edges of windows and applications. What differentiate this skin from the others I’ve tried before was that the Vienna XP taskbar has rounded corners on both sides. Typically, most skins have a taskbar that extends onto the sides on the bottom of your desktop that lies flat and looks like a long bar. Vienna XP used the transparency capability of WindowBlinds (version 5+) to create the effect that the taskbar is shorter (not extended) and centered on your desktop (see picture below this post). This skin brings out a unique look and feel to your desktop. For me, it outshines Windows Vista’s GUI and far more appealing.

Check out my desktop: Pimped by Vienna XP

Arzo

This Arzo skin was created by JJ.Ying.

“Transparency” is what I like most about WindowBlinds skins. So, when I came up with this skin from JJ Ying, I immediately click the “download link”. I’ve tried his skin before, the Ecliz, and from what I’ve seen so far, this is superb. The Arzo was another unique skin that harness the power of transparency. Notice the task bar (image below). Look how the “Start” button was visually separated from the task bar. Cool isn’t it? That’s what I’m talking about, it’s “uniqueness!”. The second image shows the “Start Menu”. Notice the transparency and the user icon above. It’s the same as the menu on Windows Vista, but much cooler.

Check out my desktop: Pimped by Arzo

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It is much better to appreciate these if you have a licensed version of WindowBlinds (which I do have, ble! Ahehe). The new version is version 5.5 which hosts added features from the previous versions. If you do have older versions of WindowBlinds like version 4, expect not to see transparency and per pixel alpha support. Version 4 doesn’t have this capability but able to use skins that renders well on Version 5+.

I also like to clarify that WindowBlinds only changes the XP UI shell nor does it performs hack or modifies the original. Completely safe and I’ve been using versions of it for the past 4 years.

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