I'm just curious can the blue Xp taskbar replace the 1 in win98
It might be impossible but then again anything is possible

not possible by using XP's explorer exe - it references too many ntdll functions that aren't implemented in W9x kernels, as well as a heavily modified theme/scheme engine. If you're desparate, use Tihy's Revolutions Pack v5/6, which is currently available as a Preview. You can also create your own skins. (See sticky at top of this forum).

There are 3rd party free(ware) tools that can do this [more or less ]:

* TClock v2.3.0.1 32-bit for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME displays the date and
time in the Taskbar Tray, changes Start button/icon, Start Menu color/bitmap,
highly customizable (freeware):
http://homepage1.nifty.com/kazubon/tclock/
Direct download [170 KB, English]:
http://kazuto.lolipop.jp/tclock/010223en.zip
TClock Lite for Windows XP/2003:
http://homepage1.nifty.com/kazubon/tclocklight/
LClock for Windows XP/2003 (free GPL):
http://www.neowin.net/forum/?showtopic=157465

* Eppie Desktop v2.1 32-bit [discontinued ] for Windows 9x/ME changes Start
button bitmap, window frame controls: minimize, maximize + close buttons,
scrollbar arrows etc, highly customizable:
http://www.virtualplastic.org/html/eppie.html
Direct download [68 KB, freeware]:
http://www.virtualplastic.net/download/eppie/epsh21.zip

* SmartBarXP v1.0.201 32-bit for Windows 98/2000/ME/XP/2003 side bar provides
instant access to: Media Players, Slide Show, Image Viewers, Virtual Desktop
Manager, Live News, Weather, Stock Feeds, Recycle Bin, Explorer, Taskbar etc,
supports add-on themes, highly customizable:
http://www.smartbarxp.com/
Direct download [4.66 MB, freeware]:
http://www.smartbarxp.com/SmartBarXP_1.0.201.exe

* eXPerience Pack v2.5 32-bit for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP replaces themes,
logos, icons + sounds to mimic Windows XP appearance [673 KB, freeware]:
http://public.planetmirror.com/pub/majorge...rance/xpack.zip

* PowerPro v4.5 32-bit for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 adds: tool bars,
tray icons, hot keys, mouse actions, menus, timer/scheduler, close, minimize,
maximize, roll-up to caption, minimize to tray, position, send keystrokes, run
commands when Windows loads, virtual desktops, clipboard extender, keyboard
macros, shut down, show all folders/files menu, sounds, wallpaper + screen
saver activation/randomization, highly customizable:
http://powerpro.webeddie.com/
Direct download [2.8 MB, freeware]:
http://powerpro.webeddie.com/download/pwrpro45.zip

* H-Menu v6.0 32-bit for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003
program/function/process launcher: mouse activated Startup menu replacement,
animated Toolbars, supports Cascading Menus + Multimedia capabilities,
configurable screen settings, Tray icon, Menu Bars, Buttonbar groups, Dial-Up
Connections, Sound controls, End Windows Session, Change Screen, animation
effects, custom background bitmaps, multilingual support, highly customizable
[164 KB, freeware]:
http://tucows.whc.net/files4/H-Menu60.zip

* ShellEnhancer v2.0 Beta 32-bit for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 includes:
always on top, Windows XP/2003 transparency, X-Windows features, keep focus,
Enhanced TaskSwitcher, Mosaic TaskSwitcher, Auto Manage, complex tasks
creation, Shell Enhanced Applications etc, highly customizable:
http://www.nuonsoft.net/shellenhancer/
Direct download [1.76 MB, freeware]:
http://www.nuonsoft.net/downloads/ShellEnh..._Beta_Setup.exe
Windows 95/OSR1/OSR2/98/98 SP1/NT4 WITHOUT MS IE 5/6 installed require:
- Microsoft HTML Help Update:
http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#HHU
- Microsoft Common Control DLL 5.80 Patch [499 KB, free]:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/pla...US/50comupd.exe

All these tools are found here:
http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#ENH

HTH

is this a possible method

that might work. though you will not have the Lock Taskbar option that is included in XP. Tihiy's RPLite5 pack not only changes the Win98se Taskbar to the XP version but also adds the Lock Taskbar option which can either be enabled or disabled. I prefer not only the XP Taskbar but also the XP Taskbar's functions that were not included in older versions.

Stardock WindowBlinds Enhanced and ObjectBar handle this very well, and you're able to apply many other looks as well.

Yeah, it uses GDI resources and Themes need to be reapplied to refresh it if resources get too low (the images start to be replaced by the regular 98 stuff).

But it works. Looks just like XP if you get the right themes. Icon Packager really gets it to be XP. Heh, now there are themes for Vista too! Run Vista on 98!

So it would make sense to buy Object Desktop to get all the stuff. You really only need those 3 programs from it. Initially expensive, but renewal is only $34.95 for access to newer versions if you want to stay updated. But you wouldn't need to do that if you only want what you need for 98. You're always entitled to download and use whatever versions they were up to when your subscription expired.

Why would you want to do that anyway

Some people like "Eye candy" ??? I don't know.

Yes, I mostly agree. I haven't installed Stardock on a 9x system in years as the looks aren't especially important to me. When I did use it, it worked but I got tired of needing to refresh the skin when resources got spent.

I keep renewing only because I want it if the GUI fit takes me and I want to play.

I just posted that because it's probably the best implementation of skinning available. With all the possibilities you can make the desktop and programs looks like nearly anything you want. And the fellow asked how to get it looking like XP. This does it nearly completely without changing important operating system files too much. It's like a native skinning method (moreso on XP, though).