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Make Vista’s Interface Look Like XP’s—With No Loss of Functionality

Please note: This item is from our archives and was published in 2008. It is provided for historical reference. The content may be out of date and links may no longer function.

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MAKE VISTA’S INTERFACE LOOK LIKE XP’S—WITH NO LOSS OF FUNCTIONALITY

OK, I’m using Vista, but not because I like it. I upgraded because I just must to stay current with the new technology. But I sure would be delighted if I could go back to that classic XP and still maintain the Vista functionality.

Well, you can at least go back to the XP interface, and you can do that without losing any Vista functionality—just the Vista view.

Change from this…

…to this.

Here’s how to do it: Go to the Start button and right-click, select Properties, Classic Start Menu and click on OK.

Right-click on any blank place on the desktop and select Personalize, Choose Theme and then, from the Theme pulldown menu, click on Windows Classic and on OK.

Now go back to the Start menu and open the Documents folder, click on the Organize button, select Folder and Search Options and then Use Windows classic folders. Finally click on OK and you’re back to the XP look.

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And for those who want to replace the Ribbon in Excel 2007 (see screenshot) with the traditional interface, check out ToolbarToggle (www.toolbartoggle.com) or Classic Menu (www.addintools.com/english/menuoffice).

Change from this…

…to this.