- Quick specs
- Price: $20.00
- Operating system: Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: April 21, 2005
- See full specifications
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- CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars
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Average user rating:
3.5 stars
out of 637 reviews
See all user reviews
A newer version of WindowBlinds is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
No matter what themes, backgrounds, or colors you choose, certain aspects of Windows always remain the same. WindowBlinds doesn't revolutionize the functionality of Windows XP, but it does give you more control over the cosmetics through themes that change the taskbar and windows within the operating system. You'll find very good integration with XP in this release, as configuration options are easily accessible from the Windows Display Control Panel. The new WindowBlinds also gets high marks for performance; we found the skins loaded seamlessly after a couple of seconds. A performance slider lets users with slower PCs choose a setting that won't interfere with the normal operation of their machines. This release offers a few interesting thematic options, such as iSkin, which portrays the look and window control buttons of the Mac interface while retaining the functionality of the Windows Start menu. If you want to edit the themes through the program, you'll have to install the publisher's SkinStudio. Bored Windows users might get a kick out of WindowBlinds.Publisher's description
(From Stardock ):Customize the look and feel of Windows 2000 or Windows XP with WindowBlinds. It can change virtually every aspect of the Windows GUI such as title bars, push buttons, the Start bar, radio buttons, and scroll bars. WindowBlinds is what Microsoft, nVidia, ATI, Nintendo, and many other companies use to provide additional visual styles for Windows users. Try it for yourself. WindowBlinds also supports changing toolbar icons and progress animations.
WindowBlinds 4.51 enables users to have semitransparent pieces in the Start menu, adds support for 64-bit version of Windows XP, and enhances support for instant-messenger clients.
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Previous Versions:
User reviews of WindowBlinds 4.51
- Average user rating: 3.7 stars out of 637 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 34 user reviewsSee all 34 user reviews
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8 out of 13 people found this review helpful
Version: WindowBlinds 4.51
Pros: good work. you all put alot of hardwork into this and it shows. they all look great.
Cons: none.
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11 out of 13 people found this review helpful
Version: WindowBlinds 4.51
"Wonderful Skinning program for Windows"
Pros: This program makes changing the user interface of Windows easy. It comes with several beautiful skins installed, and you can go to wincustomize.com and get more easily. The skins load somewhat quickly, although not as fast as the ones built in to Windows XP. You can customize the program so that certain skins display per application. It is a total shame that Micro$oft did not think to include the capabilities that this program offers within Windows already. The trial software is good enough to let you use the program and see what functionality it offers before buying the full version. The only difference between the trial version and the full version is the trial version has limited skinning capabilities. For example, you won't get the scroll bars skinned in the trial version, and you won't be able to customize the color schemes of skins. Try it, and you'll wonder how you got along without it.
Cons: This utility can cause some minor dispay quibbles with some software, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader and Microsoft Works. In some programs, windows may open very low on the screen. These are minor, but they may annoy some users more than others. Some of the theme files are large, so a user with limited bandwidth may not be able to download some of them. Every time you start windows, it loads a splash screen begging you to buy the full version. Still, for what it does, I think it may be worth it.
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7 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Version: WindowBlinds 4.51
"Easy to use, one of the best skinning programs"
Pros: 1. Easy to customize skins
2. Thousands of skins to choose from
3. Great Interface
Cons: Sometimes when i download windowblinds, the file is corrupt and it does not skin properly.
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2 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Version: WindowBlinds 4.51
Pros: pretty good program all around
Cons: not worth $20
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5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Version: WindowBlinds 4.51
"Very innovative Highly recommend"
Pros: As usual, I'll comment here and tell my usage tail below to help others or get help. I'm running W2K on a P4m Vaio laptop. W2k's desktop is very bland. WndowBlnds was THE answer. The Prgm was finicky initially but with some persistance it's well worth it. Also many of the skins are not just eye-candy. Some have little upgrades built in such as, Right-click for a new window in IE. Or, a window Rollup feature so you can leave a window on the DskTop but rolled up with only a titelbar visible. Many other things just like those examples.
Cons: Caveats. Yahoo Msngr cannot be skinned with this version. In the WndwBlind UI there's an app exclusion area. There, list the 4 main .exe files for Yahoo Messenger and you're good to go. Also, additional themes online abound to no end of imagination but some are partial. The UI will nav you to a site for themes. While you can experienment with all the themes, a gaurantee is at the top search engine, search in "Suites". These are complete and all have worked for me so far. Also you'd be missing out if you didn't checkout the amazing wallpaper area. Some of the artwork can have you gazing for hours...beautiful. Have fun and "theme" responsibly! :)
D.
- See all 34 user reviews Write review
