WindowBlinds 2.2

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 :

WindowBlinds is a utility designed to change the way you look at Windows. It allows you to customize your desktop completely by changing the style of title bars, buttons, and toolbars. You can change the look of buttons and check boxes, and you can assign buttons that will launch programs to toolbars. You can create your own skins, choose from the four that are included in the program, or download additional ones. You can also choose to exclude certain programs from WindowBlinds if you don't want to change their appearances (see screenshot).

Version 2.0 added a host of new features, such as rebar, a combo box, a MDI child, and header skinning. Multiple versions of the same skin can be included into a single compound skin. A high-performance skinning format was also added. Version 2.01 was faster and worked better on Windows 98 and Windows Me. Version 2.11 further improved performance and provided the ability to skin the Windows menus, a feature never before seen on shipping versions of Windows. A lot of work was also put into ensuring that the feature works, as well as increasing compatibility across all versions of Windows.

Version 2.12 has skins status bars and supports Windows XP.

Version 2.2 is significantly faster and fully skins the Windows Start bar. Skins load faster, and there is mouse-over support for containers and taskbars. You can now make the taskbar flat. It has increased compatibility.

Note: The cost to register this program is $19.95.

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