Transform Windows 7 to Windows 8 without using customisation pack

Preface 1:
Dear Readers and Subscribers,

Today I am writing a new blog on how to transform your Windows 7 to Windows 8 Developer Preview (Pre-Beta Release). Windows 8 is in a stage of development, new things are coming up to public as the Microsoft team bring in front of media.  So nothing is finalised yet, i.e., its design, theme, wallpapers, sound scheme, cursor, start menu & button, icons, etc.

Since Windows 8 is in the development stage, therefore, new features and interfaces are coming in the process.  You will find different logon screens, boot screens, wallpapers, etc. posted by different bloggers, deviants, youtubers, etc.  Nothing is finalised until the official release in mid 2012.

Before going further into this post, please read "VERY IMPORTANT NOTE" at the end of this post.

Don't forget to give your precious comments and suggestions at the end of this page. And BTW wish you a very Happy Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012.

Follow this blog, if you like this blog.

Thanks.

Zulfiqar
28th Dec, 2011

Preface 2:
Dear Readers and Subscribers,

Today I am rewriting this blog and updating the deadlinks.  It has taken upto 3 days to completely update this blog.  New links have been inserted and old links have been updated.  Hope you will like it.  Please give your comments.

Zulfiqar
28 Feb, 2014

For Transform Windows XP into Windows 8.1 without using customisation pack, please go to my new blog here: http://winxpto8.blogspot.com/

Features of Windows 8:

The Microsoft has introduced the following new features in Windows 8:

Windows Store

Windows Store: Windows has introduced its new online facility, i.e., Windows Store, like that of Mac App Store.  This allows users to browse and download several Windows applications published by several software and Internet giants like Google, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, YouTube, Sun, Apple, etc. While the non-commercial developers will also be allowed to publish their apps on Windows Store.  This has opened a new paradigm shift in the usage of computer and Internet.

Windows Settings

Windows 8 User Interface: Windows 8 has a new user interface (except the desktop which is quite resemble to Windows 7), and introduced Metro UI.  It shows all the applications, websites, windows settings, etc. at one place, i.e., Start Screen, and gives a freedom to touch tablet PC and monitor users to easily interact with computer.

Windows Logon Screen: Windows 8 has entirely a different logon screen as compare to previous versions of Windows.

Start Screen on Windows 8

Windows 8 Start Screen: As I mentioned above, Windows 8 has a brand new UI for interaction with the users, esp., touch screen users.  Now you can access to any document, picture, video and music very easily, without opening any window/application (as in case of previous versions of Windows).  It’s just like you are in Windows Media Centre.


Metro is everywhere in Windows 8. You'll find it in the settings application, in the task manager, and of course in the new Metro-style applications. Previously referred to as 'immersive' applications, Metro applications are full-screen applications with no chrome — once launched, they take over the entire screen. There are no commands visible, just the content.

Internet Explorer 11 with metro user interface running
on Windows 8.1

Internet Explorer 10:

Windows 8 comes with Metro version of Internet Explorer 10 as its default web browser.  The Metro version of IE 10 is not available for Windows 7.  Windows 8.1 comes with Internet Explorer 11.  To view the Internet Explorer 10/11 in metro style, you need to make IE as default web browser.

Windows 8 Touch Keyboard showing on the screen

Touch keyboard: One of the exclusive features of Windows 8, i.e., Touch Keyboard.  Unlike its predecessors, Windows 8 has a sleek, user-friendly, stylish and easy to tap (on touch screen) on-screen keyboard.  Like Windows Phone 7, users have much easier typing/tapping experience with Windows 8.  It also features auto-complete built in the on-screen touch keyboard.  It also includes a split layout for thumb typing on tablets, and supports handwriting recognition on devices with pen digitisers. If you've used a tablet PC in the past, you'll find Windows 8's pen support very familiar.

You're not limited to mouse and keyboard in Windows 8,
you can also use your screen as an input device

Keyboard & Mouse: You're not limited to using touch screen.  There is a complete full range of keyboard shortcuts and mouse gestures in Windows 8.  When you use a mouse, the 'charms' — Search, Share, Start, Devices and Settings icons — move to the lower left. Other alternatives to touch gestures include opening the app bar with a right mouse click, and clicking and dragging on the left edge of the screen to handle application snapping. There's also support for horizontal scrolling using the mouse scroll wheel, and the Windows key will always take you back to the start screen.

Applications: You can pin traditional non-metro 

Apps on Windows 8

applications on start screen to access them on first touch.  You can use touch screen, but with applications like Photoshop, Microsoft Office, etc. a mouse remains the best way to interact accurately.

Desktop:

The new desktop of Windows supports multi-monitor

If you are a big fan of Desktop-style Windows, no problem! The familiar Windows desktop is just a tap away. Whenever you launch a traditional non-metro application, Window will automatically switch you to desktop.

When you're done with the desktop applications it's automatically closed, leaving you with Metro.

No doubt, Microsoft has taken a big step and made a brave decision in turning the 21 years old traditional desktop into an application that only runs when needed, and replaced with Metro style Start Screen. But this was necessary to align with future's requirement, i.e., Cloud OS.

Bundle Download:

Get the bundle download from here. Size: 424 MB

You will be needed the following file archivers for unzipping the folders:

• WinRar (for unzipping RAR files)
• 7-Zip (for unzipping 7Z files)
• B1 Archiver (for unzipping B1 files)

Download all of these archivers to unzip different folders.  You can later on uninstall them.

ALL THE DEAD LINKS HAVE BEEN UPDATED - 14/9/2015 (If you're still having problem downloading from the following link, download the Bundle Download)

My YouTube Channel: youtube.com/user/znpower

My DeviantArt Page: xulfikar.deviantart.com

First take a look at the video showing how I converted Windows 7 to Windows 8. (Sorry for the sketchy and slow video, as I am running this on my old PC):

VISUAL STYLER / THEME:

For applying Windows 8 Visual Styler on Windows 7, you have two options:

1. Apply through patching

2. Apply through Tuneup Utilities (Recommended)

1. Apply through patching:

Windows 8.1 Theme on Windows 7

For applying Windows 8 theme on Windows 7, download:

• Universal Theme Patcher
• Windows 8.1 Theme by Mare-M
• Windows 8 Theme by Fedia Fedia (DeviantArt)

Instructions:

Run the Universal Theme Patcher:

• Click all patch buttons for patching themeservice.dll, themeui.dll and uxtheme.dll. 
• After patching, restart your computer 
• Now copy the Windows theme file and its corresponding folder to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes 
• Double click the Windows theme file in this folder. (Do not double click theme file in Downloads folder)

2. Apply through TuneUp Utilities (Recommended):

For this you will needed to download TuneUp Utilities software, a free software 14 days trial period and the above Windows themes:

• TuneUp Utilities

LOGON SCREEN:

To get the Windows 8 logon screen, you have two options:

1. Apply through Tuneup Utilities (Recommended)

2. Replacing the Windows 7 .dll files (Only for Windows 7 Service Pack 1)*

1. Apply Through Tuneup Utilities:
For this you will be needed to download:

• TuneUp Utilities 2012
• Windows 8 Logon Screen (TLS File) (For Windows 7) (fixed 14/9/2015)

Instructions:

• Open the Tuneup Utilities main window.
• Now click the Customize Windows tab.
• Click Logon screen under the Change Windows Appearance side.
• Now click Add and then click “Load logon screen from a file”.
• Now select the “<filename>.tls” file.
• Now click the Apply button. Log off to see the changes.

2. Modify the Windows 7 DLL Files:

Windows 8.1 Logon Screen on Windows 7

Windows 8 Logon Screen on Windows XP

Following things are needed:

• Take Ownership Option (fixed 14/9/2015)
• Replacer
• Windows 8 Logon Screen: Modified DLLs (Mods) by Peter Roller (DeviantArt),
• Windows 8.1 Logon Screen: Modified DLLs (Mods) by Mare-M (DeviantArt)

Instructions:

To get the Windows 8 logon screen by modification, you will be needed to take ownership of the following files:

• authui.dll (Location: C: \Windows\System32)
• basebrd.dll (Location: C: \Windows\Branding\Basebrd)

(i) How to take ownership of DLL files:

    (a) Download the zipped file from here:

    (b) Unzip the folder, and double click “Add Take Ownership Option.reg”

    (c) Click Yes, and you are done.

(ii) Open C:\Windows\System32, and find authui.dll

(iii) Right click authui.dll and click “Take Ownership”

(iv) Now replace the original authui.dll file with the downloaded modified authui.dll through replacer

(v) Open C:\Windows\Branding\Basebrd, and find basebrd.dll

(vi) Right click basebrd.dll and click “Take Ownership”

(vii) Now replace the original basebrd.dll file with the downloaded modified basebrd.dll through replacer

(viii) Logoff to see the change.

Note: If you have any problem in running Replacer, see my video on how to use Replacer to replace original files with replacement files.

*Note: It is strongly recommended to change logon screen using Tuneup Utilities.  Replacing original DLL files with modified involves great risk of failure, and you may have to reinstall your Windows 7.  Do it at your own risk.

BOOT SCREEN:

Windows 8.1 Boot Screen for Windows 7 & XP

To get the Windows 8 boot screen on Windows 7, the following things are needed:

• Windows 8.1 Boot Screen by Vishal Gupta

Instructions:

• Run Windows 7 Boot Screen Updater
• Click File and then Load boot skin
• Select the “<filename>.bs7” file
• Now click the Apply button
• Restart computer to see the changes.

WALLPAPERS:

Windows 8.1 Wallpapers

Windows 8 Wallpapers

To get the Windows 8 wallpapers, download the zipped files:

• Windows 8.1 Wallpapers (fixed 14/9/2015)
• Windows 8 RTM Wallpapers (fixed 14/9/2015)

Instructions:

Copy the wallpapers in C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper\Windows folder.

ICONS (& DIALOG BOXES):

Windows 8.1 Icon Pack for Windows XP & 7 (Applied through TuneUp Utilities & Icon Tweaker)

To get the Windows 8 icons, you have two options:

1. Through TuneUp Utilities & Icon Tweaker (Recommended)
2. Through replacing patched files (for getting icon & dialog boxes)

1. Through TuneUp Utilities & Icon Tweaker (Recommended):

You can change the Windows 7 to Windows 8 icons using the TuneUp Utilities or Icon Tweaker.  For this you have to download TuneUp Utilities or Icon Tweaker and the Windows 8 icon pack, which includes almost all the Windows 8.1 icons  A complete visual guide on how to change the icons on Windows through TuneUp Utilities is given in the this link.

• TuneUp Utilities
• Icon Tweaker
• Windows 8 Icon Pack (ICOs and PNGs) by Dtafalonso (DeviantArt) (for Windows XP & 7)

2. Through Replacing Patched File (For getting icons & dialog boxes):

The biggest benefit of replacing patched "shell32.dll" is that you will get a quite close looks of Windows 8 on your Windows 7.  For this you will be needed to download the following:

• Take Ownership Option (fixed 14/9/2015)
• Replacer
• Patched "shell32.dll" (fixed 14/9/2015)

Instructions:

First you will be needed to take ownership of the following files:

• shell32.dll (Location: C: \Windows\System32)

(i) How to take ownership of DLL files:

    (a) Download the zipped file from here:

    (b) Unzip the folder, and double click “Add Take Ownership Option.reg”

    (c) Click Yes, and you are done.

(ii) Open C:\Windows\System32, and find shell32.dll

(iii) Right click shell32.dll and click “Take Ownership”

(iv) Now replace the original shell32.dll file with the downloaded modified shell32.dll through replacer

Note: If you have any problem in running Replacer, see my video on how to use Replacer to replace original files with replacement files.

RIBBON UI EXPLORER:

Option 1 & 2 - Third Party Software:

Better Explorer (A clone of Windows 8 Explorer for Windows 7)

First Microsoft Office 2007, then Windows 7’s Like Microsoft Office 2007/2010, Windows 8 Explorer has its Ribbon User Interface as the most comprehensive explorer’s toolbar ever.  You can get this facility in a third-party software, namely, Better Explorer & STDU Explorer:

1. Better Explorer, (For Windows 7)or
2. STDU Explorer (For Windows XP & 7)

Option 3 (Styler Toolbar):

You can get the exact look of Windows 8 explorer's ribbon UI on your machine without using the above 3rd party file managers.  For this you have to download Styler Toolbar and the Windows 8 Ribbon UI skin for Styler Toolbar; but remember that this only a visual toolbar, there is NO TAB facility on the Styler Toolbar and the buttons showing are the mere eye candy for Windows 8 Fanatics!

• Styler Toolbar
• Windows 8 Ribbon UI Skin for Styler Toolbar (fixed 14/9/2015)

START BUTTON:

To get the Windows 8 button in Windows 7, download:

• Windows 8 Start Button (fixed 14/9/2015)

Instructions:

• Run “Windows 7 Start Orb Changer”
• Click the Change button and select any one of the given PNG/BMP files
• Window will automatically restart your Explorer
• And you will see the difference
• You can restore back to the original start button by re-running the application.

START BUTTON & START MENU:

To get this, download:

• Windows 8 Start Button & Menu (ViStart) (link fixed 14/9/2015)

Instructions:

• Download and unzip the folder
• Copy the unzipped folder Windows 8 Start Menu & Button to C:\Program Files
• Now run the ViStart application
• You will see the changes after the ViStart is loaded

Since all the applications and files are pinned in Windows 8 Start Screen, the Microsoft team has excluded its “All Programs” option from its Start Menu, in fact there is no Start Menu in Windows 8.  Start Menu has been replaced by Start Screen.  This is one of the serious criticism on Windows 8. Read more on this here: http://features.techworld.com/....

Since the above start button and start menu are boring and were only released in Windows 8, here we have a new updated and more Windows 8.1 Metro inspired Start Menu skin for ViStart, which can be run on Windows 7:

Windows 8 Blue Start Menu Replacement skin for ViStart

Windows Metro Glass Skin for ViStart

Windows 8 Metro Blue Skin for ViStart

To get this, download:

• ViStart (Windows 8 Blue Start Menu Replacement Skin included) (Recommended)

• Windows 8 Metro Glass Skin for ViStart

• Windows 8 Metro Blue Skin for ViStart

Instructions:

• Download and unzip the folder
• Copy the unzipped folder Windows 8 Start Menu & Button to C:\Program Files
• Now run the ViStart application
• You will see the changes after the ViStart is loaded

START SCREEN (METRO UI):

To get the essential feature of Windows 8,i.e., Start Screen, you have three options:

1. WinMetro (Recommended)
2. NewGen
3. Rainmeter (Omnimeter)

1. WinMetro:

WinMetro running on Windows XP

All Programs on WinMetro running on Windows XP

WinMetro is specially designed to bring the newly introduced Windows 8 Metro UI to Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. It offers an easy solution for old versions of Windows users to try and enjoy the tile based Metro UI. By displaying useful information such as weather, calendar, news, stocks, and frequently used programs, it turns your desktop into an informative and productive work station. It also offers the option to boot to Metro Start Screen directly.

The most important thing about WinMetro is that it does not require .Net Frameworks, which makes your system quite slow.

• Download WinMetro

Note: WinMetro does also include Charmsbar, so you don't you to install Charmsbar separately.

2. NewGen:

Windows 8's Main Start Screen duplicated by NewGen running on Windows 7

IE 10 in Metro UI running in
NewGen on Windows 7

Windows 8's famous Clock & Calendar screensaver
in NewGen on Windows 7

Charmsbar is also included in NewGen

To get this Windows 8’s exclusive feature on Windows 7, you will be needed to download:

• .NET Framework 4

• Newgen (including .NET Framwork 4 installer) (link fixed 14/9/2015)

Instructions:

• After installing .NET Framework 4, install Newgen.
• After the installation of Newgen, copy the application’s shortcut in Startup folder. You can do this by clicking the Start button, then right click “All Program” and then click “Open All Users”.
• Open Programs and then open the Startup folder and then copy the Newgen application’s shortcut in Startup folder.

3. Rainmeter:

Windows 8 Start Screen duplicated by Omnimo on Rainmeter running on Windows 7

If you are a Rainmeter user, walla! Here is a skin pack for Rainmeter duplicating the Windows 8 start screen on Windows 7:

• Rainmeter
• Omnimo - The Windows 8 Start Screen Skin Pack for Rainmeter
• Omnimo Full Panel Pack (optional)

Instructions:

• Install Rainmeter first
• Now install Omnimo skin(s) by simply double clicking the "<filename>.rmskin", the extraction might take a minute or two, after that you'll be guided by the Intro.

(Note: It may require .NET Framework installation, which will be automatically downloaded and installed by the Rainmeter Installer)

CHARMSBAR:

Charmsbar is an integral part of Windows 8 operating system on a touch-screen monitor.  Its big icons fits the finger to be easily touched.  You can get this feature on Windows 7.  You have to download RocketDock and the Windows 8 Charmsbar skin for RocketDock:

• RocketDock
• Charmsbar skin for RocketDock by Peter Roller (DeviantArt)

Instructions:
Simply install the program, and customise the theme of the keyboard similar to the theme as shown above.

TOUCH KEYBOARD:

To get this feature on Windows 7, download:

• Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Pro

Instructions:

Simply install the program, and customise the theme of the keyboard similar to the theme as shown above.

TASKBAR USER PICTURE TILE:

In Windows 8, the taskbar has the user’s picture/avatar on the right-hand side.  By clicking on this tile, you can access to many Windows options, like turnoff, logoff, etc.  According to developers, this tool pulls your entire online persona into one place. This will also include things like your Emails, Facebook, Twitter and Windows Live Messenger status and such all of the things that make you online all the times. You can get the same in Windows 7:

• Windows 8 Taskbar User Picture Tile (link fixed 14/9/2015)

Instructions:

• Copy the unzipped folder to C:\Program Files
• Now run the UserTile application from there.

AERO AUTO-COLORISATION:

Windows 8’s Aero Auto-Colorization feature automatically change the colour of Aero elements, i.e., Start Menu, Windows Explorer and taskbar in matching with background wallpaper.  You get the same feature in Windows 7:

• Aura - Auto Colorisation

Instructions:

• Copy the unzipped folder to C:\Program Files
• Now run the UserTile application from there.

CENTERED TITLEBAR TEXT & ICON:

Titlebar text and icon was the thing that was missing in Windows 7, now the Windows 8 includes this facility:

• Classic Shell - for Centred Titlebar Text & Icon

Instructions:

• Install the Classic Shell application
• Run the application “Explorer Settings”
• Click the Title Bar tab
• Check the following options:

               - Show caption in the title bar
               - Show icon in the title bar

MOUSE CURSORS:

• Download Mouse Cursors by Rahul Sharma (DeviantArt)

Instructions:
You can get the Windows 8 cursors on Windows 7.  Simply download the zipped folder and right click the Install.inf file and click Install in the context menu.  All the Windows 8 cursors will be copied to your default mouse cursors folder.  Now open the Control Panel and then open the Mouse and then Pointers and then select Windows 8 and then press Apply. Your Windows 8 cursors are installed.

SOUND SCHEME:
To get the Windows 8.1 original sound scheme, you will be needed to download the following:

   · Windows 8.1 Sound Scheme (link fixed 14/9/2015)

Instructions:
   · Unzip the downloaded folder and copy all the media files in “C:\Windows\Media” folder
   · Now open Control Panel and then open Sounds and Audio Devices and then click the Sounds tab.
   · Now change the current sounds for each Program Events to the Windows 8.1 sounds (which you have copied to Windows default media folder)

   · Don’t forget to save your current Windows 7 sound scheme before changing it to Windows 8.1.

FONTS:

   · Windows 8.1 Fonts (link fixed 14/9/2015)

Instructions:
Copy all the fonts in default Fonts folder.

METRO SCREENSAVER:

To get the Windows 8.1 default screensaver, simply the following link:
     · Windows 8.1 Metro Screensaver by Dejco (DeviantArt)

Instructions:

• Unzip the downloaded folder
• Right click Metro Clock.scr file and then click Install
• A Screensaver Display Properties window will be appeared
• Now click OK button

DRIVE ICON:

The drive icons in Windows 8 graphically show the total capacity, used and free capacities of the hard drives. It is somewhat different from Win 7's drive icon graphically.  To get this feature in XP, you have to install Drive Icon App and Windows 8 Drive Icons Pack:

• Drive Icon

• Windows Drive Icons Pack by Peter Roller (DeviantArt)

TRUE TRANSPARENCY:

If you are a true fan of True Transparency, here is a Windows 8.1 skin pack for True Transparency, which I have created by myself:

• True Transparency

• Windows 8.1 TrueTransparency Skin Pack by Xulfikar (DeviantArt)

SYSTEM REQUIREMENT:

Recommended:

• 2 GHz Intel or AMD Processor (Dual Core);
• 1 GB RAM;
• 128 MB Graphic Card Memory; and
• 80 GB HDD.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

Since some application files might have been "patched" or "compressed" (packed) to work properly on your Windows operating system, therefore, some "false alarm" or "false positive" may happen to some clean *.exe installers/applications /installation processes, although they are actually CLEAN & SAFE and does not pose a threat to your system. The term "false positive" is used when an Anti-Virus Software wrongly classifies an innocuous (inoffensive) file as a Virus. This incorrect detection may be due to heuristics or to an incorrect virus signature in the database of Anti-Virus. Usually some great and famous Anti-Viruses (such as Kaspersky, AVG, Norman, McAfee, etc) won't have such problem so far. If that happens to you, then simply ignore it and continue installing as it's guaranteed actually 100% safe and clean by me and other guys who are posting these applications. But again, it's still your own choice and right to decide.