Disclaimer: I simply refuse to accept any responsibilty for any damage done to other PC. You take these hints at your own risk. This has worked for me, this doesnt mean it will work for you.
After spending the last 3 days trying to figure out how to change the way XP looks, feels and behaves- I have finally fininshed what i set out to do.
This was in response to a member called Samestory who had fully customised his desktop. He had opened my eyes to just what was possible, on what seems like a pretty out of the box OS.
Windows XP is highly customisable, here, I will show you how.
I started out with a pretty non descript desktop. visual styles turned off and solid colouring. It was horrible
These are the programs you require:
Download BricoPack Vista Inspirat Ultimate 2 on CrystalXP.net - Shell Packs
This installs a vista theme over your XP standard one.
Official WinFlip Mirror 
This enables the 3D flipping through programs as in Vista
RocketDock.com - Download RocketDock
This is included in vista inspirat, however this is the latest release
Download TrueTransparency on CrystalXP.net - Explorer tools
True transparency will add see through "glassy borders" to your windows
Transbar download and review - make your taskbar transparent from SnapFiles
Transbar makes you taskbar see through
Stardock ObjectDock
Stardock Objectdock
Plus is preferential if you can get it, this replaces the system tray, houses the start button and can have a multitude of shortcuts nicely organised. It also has the abilty to have high quality PNG pictures as icons. Many sets can be downloaded from archives all over the net.
BootSkin - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com
Bootskin Editor allows the user to change the default Windows Xp bootscreen screen to one of Thousands of bootskins available on the net!
1. If you want to change your bootscreen, download bootskin and have a look through the archives, there are many available to choose from.
when you have downloaded the bootskin you want, double click on it to merge it with bootskin and set it as default. Next time you boot your chosen bootscreen will come up.
2. Install Vista Inspirat 2 to give a vista look to your windows and log on screens etc. After reboot, to a fool, you look like youre running vista and not XP
happy days
3. Install the new version of rocketdock, this is optional.
After this has done, you may wish to configure the dock to look differently or add or remove some icons.
4. Install winflip. afterwards, open the folder it was installed into (C:/program files/wincusto...) and set it to one side for now
Install transbar and true transparency too.
5. Open the start menu in explorer view. Do do this click the start menu button, hover over "programs" and right click > explore. browse to the folder "startup" within "programs" place shortcut for each of the 3 programs installed above in step 4 into this folder. This is because they do not automatically start up with windows (or I couldnt find it anyway)
6. You have what looks like vista. There is also a tooltip thumbnail viewer that will give you the graphical representation of a minmised window when the mouse hovers over it on the taskbar. the name of it eludes me. However, i want to remove the taskbar and replace the system tray.
For this I use stardock objectdock
plus. However, there is a free version available i have not tried.
-To Make a
System Tray: create a tabbed dock. right click on the dock, go to tabs: add new tab: systray tab. Remove all other tabs and resize it to a preferencial size. then place the tab wherever you want it!
- To make a new
Task Bar: this can be done in one of two ways, with either objectdock or rocketdock
Rocketdock: Click on Dock settings... then check "minimize windows to dock" in the
general tab
Objectdock: minimising windows to a
tabbed dock is not permitted in object dock, so, create or edit a
regular dock, then go to dock settings, and click on the
Dock Contents tab, here you can decide whether you want to use the dock as a task bar
You can also remove the original windows taskbar from existance in Objectdock, which massively changes the appearance of "windows" lol. That option is under the
general tab in Object Dock Properties.
Theres quite a lot of settings to have a look through to get to grips with, i guarantee you, you will be flying once you get used to what you have created.
Finally, if you use Windows Live Messenger, this is visually customisable too.
Download the latest version of Windows live Messenger:
Windows Live Messenger
Then customise everything from what button to remove and keep, the advertisments can be removed and alter the restrictive elements to Messenger with this patch:
http://apatch.org/files/index.php?ACT=dl&id=18
Theres a lot of options to go through, but its easy to understand
The Rest is Really up to You! There are many customisable icons, wallpapers, options. With minimal creative flair you can have a very good looking system, and have the reliability and stability of Windows XP! Download a cool wallpaper, some sweet icons and organise it however you want!
I wouldnt wipe my arse with Vista
My Current system Pics to follow:
Peace