Make your own free Tweaking Toolbox
Put the programs you like from this list into it’s own folder in the Start Menu. (Right click on Start > choose Explore and Explore All User > create a folder named “Tweaks” in whichever one on the 2 folders you want the new menu item in > move the folders you want into that folder)
This page has becomeoutdated. Please see my post The XP Freeware Machine for the freeware and tweaking apps.
The Look
Hey, tweaking ain’t all about speed you know. Sometimes it is about making you desktop look cool too!
*There are many ways to customize the look of XP. Many of these ways involve hacking system files and using themes that may or may not be of questionable origin (meaning many of these could be potentially harmful to your computer). Don’t get me wrong, some of these are very nice but the methods of applying them are not for the non-Geek. They are also beyond the scope of this article. For more info on these themes see the Neowin Forums – Customizing XP (in particular the “pinned” topics at the top).
Themes
There are only a few official, signed Microsoft themes. Signed means it requires no hacks to apply the theme.
Zune Theme (direct from Microsoft) (my favorite)
To install this just double-click on the file.
Istartedsomething – Royale Noir: secret XP theme uncovered
To install this download the file, extract it, and follow the instructions in the Read Me.text file.
Royal (at Softpedia) This is the theme included with XP Media Center Edition.
To install this download the file, extract it, and double-click the .exe file.
WindowBlinds
This is a pay-for program. There are 3 ways to buy it: Just WB for $20, or as part of Object Desktop for $40, or as part of Object Desktop Ultimate for $70. More info at the WindowBlinds Page.
Here is an example of WindowBlinds in action. This is the Gizmo.
Find WindowBlind Themes at Wincustomize.
Find WindowBlind Themes at DeviantArt.
(make sure they are XP themes)
Icons
Changing you icons is a great way to customize your computer. There is a free application called IconTweaker that does a decent job but the process of changing the icons is a little more involved than the next non-free option. You can also do each icon individually but this is extremely tedious:
How to Change the Default Icons for Folders in Windows XP
IconTweaker
About all I use this for is to change drive icons.
Find icons at:
DeviantArt – Icontweaker packages
IconPackager
I prefer an application called IconPackager. It is a pay-for program. There are 3 ways to buy it: Just IP for $20, or as part of Object Desktop for $40, or as part of Object Desktop Ultimate for $70. See here for what the packages are: http://www.stardock.com/products/iconpackager/purchase.asp
Find IconPackager themes at:
Below is a sample of IconPackager in action. This is the Alpha1 IP which goes very nicely with the Zune Theme (above).
RocketDock
This is one of my favorite Windows add-ons. Download & Info
Find icons at:
Other Links:
Personalize your system with Windows XP
You can get a printable version of this guide for $5 (U.S.) See here for more info.