AMIRZ

Thanks for the info, very useful indeed Edit: Btw anyone knows that special tweak or how to get thumbnail for mp3 files on XP shell just like Vista or Windows 7 please? ("Embedded" album art thumbnail for individual files, not folders). Seems in Vista / 7 it's using new version of shimgvw.dll just like with image files. Or maybe someone who is capable should create a special 3rd party thumbnail handler (replacement) for the feature? Would be awesome to port it to XP too...any info and help would be appreciated here, thanks anyway...

Use Taskbar Repair Tool to fix it: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

Image View Plug In for Microsoft QuickView (File Viewer) on Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, and Windows XP (First please sorry if someone ever/already posted this before : ) Note: To get free Microsoft QuickView File Viewer on Windows XP, 2000, 2003, and Vista, please also visit my another thread on MSFN: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=121727 ImgView (Version 1.00) Copyright © 1996 Ziff Davis Publishing Company by Jeff Prosise First Published December 3, 1996 If you have (Microsoft) QuickView file viewer installed/enabled on Windows 95, 98, NT as default (built-in) file viewer (or the ported version on 2000 and Xp as well) then maybe you should also install Image View viewer plug-ins. ImgView (Image View) enhances the Windows 95 and 98 QuickView file viewer facility (Right Click -> Send To -> QuickView) by adding viewers for seven additional graphics formats: GIF, JPEG, Kodak PhotoCD, PCX, PNG, TARGA, and TIFF. Even it also works on NT version of QuickView and the Xp one (port) as well (see my thread about Microsoft QuickView for Windows Xp on Xp Sub Forum HERE) since it was removed in Windows 2000 and Xp, but you can restore it back now as well. It also does work on Vista!). It's a freeware but too bad it's not supported/provided by the author anymore (abandonware) but anyhow still awesome and useful plug in for me so i feel that it's still good and useful to share it here. - Download Image View Plug In for QuickView: Size: Only 457 KB (0,457 Mb) MD5: 93d9acf05a14624fe344d4a59aa98e6f http://www.4shared.com/file/92892198/4cbbf...8_2000_Xp_.html Oh btw you can still download QuickView installer for Windows 95 (alternative beside 95 CD extract) officially/legally from Microsoft (FTP link): ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/Products/Windows/...ries/quikvu.exe Again, as said above if you have Windows XP, 2000, 2003, and Vista, and also want to have Microsoft QuickView installed on your OS, you can get Quickview for Xp / 2003 / Vista as said above: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=121727 or the direct download links: http://www.4shared.com/file/57784437/ccea3...or_2000-Xp.html (installer) and http://www.4shared.com/file/57790534/e623b...or_2000-Xp.html (non-installer). Again you can also use Image View on Quickview in Xp, 2003, 2000, and Vista as well as Windows 98's. No issue detected. (Credits to annoyance.org) Bonus (Windows XP / 2003 only): ANOTHER VERY WORTH PLUGIN FOR WINDOWS XP FAX AND PICTURE VIEWER AND XP EXPLORER THUMBNAILS/PREVIEWS: (Thanks to Raymond): Windows Picture and Fax Viewer is an image viewer that is a part of the Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 operating systems. It is based on GDI+ and is capable of viewing images format supported by GDI+: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF (including animated GIFs), ICO, WMF, EMF and TIFF format files. it can still be improved to have more for 200+ image support such as .msp, .gem, .cals and .dpx. and so on etc (sounds rare, right?) and also .pdf, .psd, .emf, .dxf, .crw, .cur, and so on etc (yea more familiar/well-known file types!) many etc by Installing imageXtender (very recommended): Download it here: http://www.imagextender.com/ - Alternative download link: http://www.4shared.com/file/177465099/87ed...for_XP_Fax.html ImageXtender is a unique free application that teaches your Windows XP image viewer to understand more than 200 image formats, including some really rare and old ones. Also, ImageXtender allows viewing nonstandard formats produced by digital cameras or mobile phones. ImageXtender builds itself into your operating system. Once it is installed, you can view images of most formats in 3 standard Windows modes - Preview, Thumbnails and Filmstrip... Well That's all. I hope it can be useful for us. Pardon my bad English. Cya

MAKE XP START MENU BEHAVE AND LOOK LIKE VISTA / WINDOWS 7 (FUNCTIONAL) WITHOUT INSTALLING VISTART (OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR APPLICATION) IN SIMPLE WAY With working searchbar, scrolled program menu bar, etc... As always, Our Guru Vishal Gupta (VG, Credits to him) also has a very good tutorial about : "CHANGE LOOK N' FEEL OF XP START MENU (WITHOUT ANY 3RD PARTY SOFTWARE)". Just check it out his post below or click the direct link to his awesome tutorial HERE. Again, thx alot Master VG! Hello everybody. After installing Vista, at first sight i have noticed There are 5 main features on Vista start menu that make it really different with Xp one: 1. Search Bar with Quick Search and File/Program Search 2. Scroll Program 3. Of course, The Skin (black) and GUI 4. The Menu/arrow next to Vista Log off/Shut Down Button 5. User Picture on Right 6. User Account Pictures Most people choosed to install 3rd party apps on Xp such as Vistart and Vista Start Menu Emulator/VSE for emulating the features in Xp. Surely they (especially Vistart (Y), it rocks! ) are very good and useful apps, even free, with Vista functional features such as searchbar and transparency (though still lack of some i.e Right click/context menu extension feature not like original start menu etc). But still great job! Otherwise even there are many good-looking Vista themes with fake searchbar GUI only to get "pure Vista in poor Xp". But please, still great job too! However you can still get the functional features (behavior) without installing any 3rd party app (Except WDS/Windows Search, as recommended update/add on for Xp as Vista). Just use built in Xp Start Menu feature and Windows Search add on that originally from Microsoft (again, not only as a separated desktop search application, Windows Search is also a recommended update for old Xp search companion). Window Search even has same search engine with Vista Search (though the GUI is rather different, but functionality and many features are similar). Please also Visit Wikipedia to read more about Window Search in Vista and Xp. It's also integrated with Windows Explorer as replacement for Xp Search Companion (Rover). If you like Vista ports and features, you can also consider about Windows Search (i realize there are many desktop search apps that might be better i.e. Copernic, but WDS is always in my heart lol . Seriously, i love it). 1. Search Bar with Quick Search and File/Program Search: Install WDS (Windows Search). Download latest version from Microsoft (Version 4.0) Here. After installing, a new searchbar (Deskbar) will appear on taskbar. If not, right click the taskbar > Toolbar > Select "Deskbar" or "Windows Search Deskbar". To arrange it, Right click the taskbar > unlock the taskbar, then drag it under start menu as screenshot : From left to right (Start Button - Searchbar (Deskbar) - QuickLaunch bar). By using Searchbar you can also search any file and program everywhere on hard disk, so fast, also internet, and even launch the programs (nearly similar with Vista feature). Please also read the help file after installing Wndows Search. 2. Scroll Program: Right click the start menu, choose Properties > Start Menu > Customize > Advanced. Check "scroll program" box. Dont forget also make sure to enable some useful features (usually by default) i.e "Enable Dragging and Dropping" etc. Since now, your Xp start menu already has scroll feature (vertical) as well as Vista, not "expand to right" (horizontal) anymore. Even it has "auto-scroll" (when mouse/cursor hover). 3. Skin/GUI: This is related with Visual Styles/Theme and very personal (taste). Of course Vistart GUI is more similar with original one, but if you just want the "basic taste", Just use your favorite Vista Skin for Xp (either MSStyles and Window Blinds), especially black ones i.e. Zune, Royal Noir etc. One of my favorite ones is VistaXp by Kol (Credits to Kol) as screenshot. You can also get it for free Here. That's all. The GUI might still be so far from original Vista Start Menu look, or Vistart will still rule on the area. But to me, at least my Xp start menu still looks better and more comfortable than before... , all done just by original Microsoft/built in Windows tools. 4. The Menu/Arrow next to Vista Log off/Shut Down Button: Hmmm....so far...any suggestion here, please? Add on? Yes seems only Vistart has this feature so far... (Thx to tosbsas for telling me). However i just think it's not rather critical/important feature... 5. User Picture on Right: (Back to theme/Skin). You can also use some handsome Vista theme for Xp with user picture on right (like Vista). So many themes like that. One of my favorite is Vista VG RTM Here (Credits to Vishal GuptaDeviantart/MS-MVP). However i just think it's not rather critical/important feature... 6. User Account Pictures: Vista User Account Pictures are different with Xp. Just download all Vista User Account Pictures (Credits to Joshu4, Deviantart) HERE then extract/copy them to "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\User Account Pictures" (in Hidden "Application Data" folder). Of course alternatively you can also use "browse" feature. Then you can use one of them to replace standard Xp one as user account picture (unless you use your own picture). This is just optional... Screenshots (Click to enlarge): 1. Xp Start Menu SeachBar: 2. Xp Start Menu Scroll Program (Vertical): 3. Windows Search "Quick Search" Feature (Like Vista Start Menu "Quick Search" Feature): Tip: (Sorry I know most people may already know about this, but i included it only for integrity of this thread... ) : If you want to re-arrange all folders and shortcuts of programs on Start Menu (i.e. to re-classify them: Create "Design applications" program folder for "AutoCAD" and "PhotoShop" shortcuts or "Tools and Utilities" program folder for "CCleaner" and "TuneUp Utilities" shortcuts etc), you can also find them in (either/both) 2 paths : (All Without Quotes): [b]1. All users -> (If the programs installed for everyone/general):[/b] "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs" or typical value (on C:\): "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs" [b]2. User {UserName} -> (If the programs installed for only me/you): [/b] "%USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs" or typical value (on C:\): "C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs" For example: If {username}="Andy", so the path becomes: "C:\Documents and Settings\Andy\Start Menu\Programs" Just create a new folder, rename it as you want, and drag/move (cut) the program shorcuts/folders there. Delete/move the unnecessary ones i.e Shorcut to Changelog file etc. Finally check the start menu, done. Make them simpler but also better and easier to access... Add On for Xp Start Menu (Optional: Y'z Shadow): If you still want transparency on Xp start menu and shadow like Vistart and (mimic) original Vista one, then you could also use this very well-known tool: Y'Z shadow (OK sorry , this is a 3rd party program/add on, but it's also so simple, cool, light, and actually you can also use it without installing it before). It can give transparency and shadow on Start Menu and also other Windows and some useful features. (It's also already built in some skinning programs like Vista Inspirat/Bricopacks) - Download Y'z Shadow Installer latest version 1.9: Crystal Xp: http://www.crystalxp.net/galerie/en.id.960...lorer-tools.htm - Download Y'z Shadow "Portable" 1.9 (Main software files only/Exe, no need to install): MD5: 704E0EFE4683E34E0B7253C6E4E8393C , 249 Kb http://www.4shared.com/file/66587355/674e2...9_Portable.html About Y'Z Shadow Portable: - The main software files/Exe are never altered/tampered since i took them all only from YZ shadow program folder on "%ProgramFiles%\Y'z Shadow" or "C:\Program Files\Y'z Shadow". Only the unnecessary files such as uninstaller (Uninst0.exe) was removed. - You can also take them all after installing YZ Shadow installer above as just backup from the program folder above (see the path)->Recommended. After that no reinstall needed. (it seems actually the program itself never needs installer, even all dlls and exes are self-registering... > SOME FREE ADD ONS FOR WINDOWS DESKTOP SEARCH (WDS) / WINDOWS SEARCH (GET VISTA / WINDOWS 7 SEARCH ENGINE ON XP): http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...owssearch4.mspx Also With search bar, e.g. on XP start menu too and so on... - Visual Desktop Search 1.0 (VDS 1.0) - Freeware, by Michael J. Lowe (thanks, all credits to him): Seems originally inspired by Longhorn/Vista desktop search and WinFS. A desktop search user interface, called Visual Desktop Search (VDS), has been designed and implemented to enhance the capabilities of Microsoft Windows Desktop Search (WDS, now just called "Windows Search"). Visual Desktop provides facilities allowing you to search for information stored on your computer, such as emails in Microsoft Office Outlook or Microsoft Outlook Express, as well as documents, music files and photos. Using file properties and attributes (metadata) as search parameter beside names and word contents in advanced and informative UI and control features, etc and so on... Download: http://www.kalio.info/Visual_Desktop_Search/ 4Shared mirror: http://www.4shared.com/file/196273057/b14f...h_10__Wind.html - Vista Start Menu Pro - much better than Vistart IMHO (By Dennis Nazarenko, available as free version and pro/payware): Vista Start Menu is the convenient alternative to the plain Start menu you find in Windows XP and Windows Vista. The program uses your cognitive abilities (visual memory, reflexes,etc.); however, while it is easily understandable for beginners, it is also highly efficient for experienced users. Replaces standard Windows Start Menu (works well on XP, Vista, and Windows 7) with better start menu with better features. Also supports Windows Search and Search companion in XP as well as Vista / 7 search, and brings Vista / 7 search bar to XP start menu with full Windows search capabilities to search programs and files etc. Overall, also seems this Vista Start Menu application is even much better than Vistart and the original Vista start menu itself IMHO! Download: http://www.vistastartmenu.com/ Tips: To get Vista / Windows 7 icons on Vista Start Menu you have to patch Shell32.dll/use any XP shell transformation pack like VTP, Bricopack Vista Inspirate, Vistamizer, etc). - MSN/Windows Live Toolbar: (Old) MSN Toolbar (Version 2.5+), Also provides toolbar with searchbar for Windows Desktop Search on both Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer in Windows 2000 and XP (with "stupid" MSN logo though lol. However some people still said it's nicer than the newer version). It's not supported anymore by Microsoft though, nor optimized/designed for newer version of Windows Search (4.0). Newer Windows Live and MSN Toolbar (now Bing?) for Internet Explorer also has both live search and Windows (Desktop) Search features, and been optimized. Download and more info: http://toolbar.msn.com/ , http://download.live.com/toolbar , and http://www.discoverbing.com/toolbar/ (or just google etc...) Hopefully still can be useful, or at least just as a little info here. Cya! Note: FYI In a fresh install of new Vista SP1 from Vista OS DVD (not SP1 from Windows Update/Automatic Update/SP1 installer/hotfix for Vista RTM), the start menu searchbar (not Windows Search service, nor searchbar in explorer) has been disabled by default. Seems because of Google Antitrust. Thx to adrynalyne for the confirmation. ================================================================== Another Related Thread : Get/Install Vista Explorer Preview Pane (Vista File Viewer) and Vista Desktop Search for Windows Xp MSFN link: http://www.msfn.org/board/windows-vista-an...xp-t121713.html List: Most Vista Applications and Features for Xp So Far (included Vista Apps Ported to Xp Etc) -> Recommended for All Xp / 2003 Users

ORIGINAL XP ON SCREEN KEYBOARD (OSK) FOR WINDOWS 98 Hello everybody. If you are a Windows 98 user but still want to get original Xp On Screen Keyboard (OSK) version (portable) on your OS for free, then you can visit this : Free Portable On Screen Keyboard: for all Windows Versions (especially Windows 95, 98, ME) http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFT...-Keyboard.shtml That's all. Hopefully useful. Anyway good luck n cya!

Quickview File Viewer Win 95-98 ported to Windows Xp, 2000, 2003, and Vista A Simple and Useful Old (Original) Microsoft QuickView File Viewer for Windows All... Hello everybody, Microsoft QuickView (neither of QuickView Plus nor Apple QuickLook) is a file viewer application in Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT operating systems. It can preview any common file type such as binaries (dll, exe, ocx...), text and document (txt, ini, inf, html, doc, rtf...), image (bmp, jpeg, png,..) and so on without opening the default app before, even QuickView supports 3rd party plug ins (e.g ImageView) to extend the preview capability. With some workarounds the viewer can be used to view practically any file. However, starting with Windows 2000 and Windows Me, the utility is no longer present in the operating system line, (and it was not supported anymore) although similarly-named commercial alternatives/replacements (as a shareware such as QuickView Plus from Avantstar (based on Outside In technology) exist for the newer operating systems. (please also see for further information about QuickView and QuickView Plus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuickView) If you just want to get (ported) free QuickView file viewer on Xp (also works on Windows 2000 and 2003, and Vista), just visit the thread here for more info and download links: http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4113 Updated: Fixed some import functions etc, so it will work on XP SP3 and Vista SP1 without any problem + added app manifest (link to comctl32.dll version 6) so it can use Xp/Vista common visual styles etc. Get original simple Microsoft File viewer on Windows Xp context menu like Windows 98 before! Updated QuickView Installer only+fixed some previous issues! (now Version 3/last): CHANGE LOG: CHANGE LOG (V3/Final): - Fixed registry issue when you are installing QuickView not on C:\ Drive (i.e. D:\, E:\, etc). - Fixed installer and Uninstaller. - Improved "Send To" Menu etc. - Added QuickView extension handler to Explorer Context Menu - Improved QuickView for previewing any supported file more - Fixed Vista compatibility (hopefully next version for Windows 7 also) - Fixed language resource and manifest. - Fixed installer and uninstaller code and size. - And so on...etc. Also added / included ImgView plugin for QuickView (separate binary, in same download package though) for JPEG, PNG, GIF, PCX etc more preview supports (read below). - Fixed some bugs of Old QuickView version; - Available as both installer and extracted (files only) version - etc - Fixed registry issue when you are installing QuickView not on C:\ Drive (i.e. D:\, E:\, etc by changing some environment variables). - Fixed installer and Uninstaller. - Improved "Send To" Menu etc. - Now it has new Xp and Vista visual style manifest res (link to comctl32.dll version 5 & 6 ) that doesnt exist on pre-Windows Xp like Win 98. - Now it can run on Windows Vista too, smooth (tested on my Vista SP1 only) and maybe Server 2008 as well. All with both Vista Aero and Visual style support (it might be recommended to disable UAC temporarily during installation process only, but usually no problem on most cases)->(Rearranged some internal functions so it can run smoothly on Vista) (You can also use it as original MS previewer companion on context menu with Vista Explorer preview pane/previewer). Oh did i already say that you can also use it as simple dependency walker/PE function viewer for any Windows binary file (dll, exe, ocx)? Yes you can (see the screenshot above)... - Now it supports external plug in that written for previous Windows version (see the link below) to preview more image file types such as .png, .gif and so on. - MD5 checksum included now for checking the integrity and security reason. +fixed some previous issues, sorry! Don't worry, All perfect now! QuickView is the best & simplest original Microsoft context menu viewer for any file type, too bad it was officially discontinued after Windows 98 so please let all later Windows versions get it too since now. Thx alot for your attention and support. Direct download links here: 1. QuickView Installer (Only 1.03 Mb) http://www.4shared.com/file/57784437/ccea3...or_2000-Xp.html If you dont like or have any trouble (e.g false positive) with the installer, just download the "extracted" version below (files+registry entries): 2. Extracted/Unpacked Version of QuickView (Only 1.06 Mb) (without installer, just files and .reg files): http://www.4shared.com/file/57790534/e623b...or_2000-Xp.html 3. Image View Plug In for Microsoft QuickView (File Viewer)- Only 457 Kb (make QuickView preview more files: GIF, JPEG, Kodak PhotoCD, PCX, PNG and so on) -> very recommended after installing Quickview: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=121727 Updated: If you want to add "QuickView" Option to Explorer context menu for opening any file type using Microsoft QuickView File Viewer, just use this registry tweak - Already included in the latest version of QuickView here (btw seems you can also use same command parameter for some of other viewer programs etc on context menu by just editing it...): Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\QuickView] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\QuickView\Command] @="\"C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\Viewers\\QUIKVIEW.exe\" --open \"%1\"" Copy and save it with Notepad as e.g "QuickView.reg" (with extension .reg) then double click to merge it into the registry. Or just download the registry entry file here (with guide and undo the changes etc), only 41 Kb lol: http://www.4shared.com/file/177176176/f70b...n_Any_File.html - Some Screenshots of Quickview on Windows Xp context menu (Note: on context menu, Quickview's name is just "Quikview" without "c", as original in Windows 95, 98, NT...) : (Note: Sorry for the low resolution, some images may look so blurry although the actual/real application GUI is good...) QuickView in Windows Vista as well as Windows Xp: PS: To use QuickView to preview any file on Windows Explorer : Right Click the file > QuickView or Send To > QuikView... =================================================== Folder Content Previewer is apart of Microsoft Windows 95 PowerToy. It works like QuickView, but can preview: Folder, Drive, Partition, and Zip/compressed (.zip) file contents, at one level deep preview. It also works on all Windows versions, included Xp. It also looks useful enough to me... If you want Folder Content Previewer too, just download: - Download Microsoft Folder Content Previewer for all Windows versions (only 7 kb ! / .inf installer file ) : MD5: DDA14F968E008C60D45D078B8F9FCFE0 http://www.4shared.com/file/57787256/fb8f7..._Previewer.html - Screenshots of Folder Content Previewer on Windows Xp context menu: PS: To use Folder Content Previewer : Right Click the drives/partitions/folder/zip file then choose "content" Oh sorry forgot:, since both Quickview and Folder content previewer are just shell extension components (shell in process) there almost no resource needed before you running them, and again for Quickview, its executable still needs only little resource to run. So light... Some of Other Free Useful File Viewers on Context Menu in Windows Explorer for Windows XP and 2003 also maybe 2000/9X (Thumbnail and/or file content previews): Since they are actually Windows Explorer shell extensions, you can also use them on Explorer window, search result, desktop (i.e. useful especially since you can't set thumbnail view on XP desktop unlike Vista or 7), open save as dialog box etc. - Context Viewer by Schezo: Preview text file and images on Explorer context menu. Support Susie Plug ins for more file type previews. Download for free - latest version: http://www.4shared.com/file/123321653/1448..._By_Schezo.html - ContextView Pro (free abandonware, still cool to have): Preview images and multimedia (audio and videos) file on Explorer context menu. Also best for using it i.e. as complementary tool for e.g. QuickView, QuickView Plus, or Context Viewer above (since they can't preview multimedia files) etc. For good example e.g. you can preview (listen) any mp3 file in Explorer just by right click it once, without opening any heavy media player in Windows and so on etc! Download for free - latest version: http://www.4shared.com/file/216821627/d399...ro_20_Full.html Again you can also get more free file viewers and thumbnail plugins for Windows etc here: http://www.4shared.com/dir/16848775/c90f5d...r_Thumbnai.html ======================================================================= Beside independent and integrated file viewers for Windows, anyway you can also enhance thumbnail / previews feature on Windows Explorer (especially XP, also all Windows versions): 4. Get Thumbnails of More file types: Text, Document, and 3rd party files on Windows Explorer: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?...3rd-party-file/ Also to get free-integrated viewer on Windows XP's explorer, just like Vista/Windows 7's and some 3rd party Explorer Replacements (Directory Opus, Total Commander etc): 5. Get Vista File Viewer (Explorer Preview Pane) and Search on Windows XP: http://www.msfn.org/board/windows-vista-an...xp-t121713.html Please note some antivirus and antispyware programs (rare) may flag the softwares/installers (packed) as being infected/malware, although the application is perfectly safe and does not pose a threat to your system. This is called a "false positive". The term false positive is used when antivirus software wrongly classifies an innocuous ( inoffensive ) file as a virus. The incorrect detection may be due to heuristics or to an incorrect virus signature in a database. OK that's all. Pardon my bad English, hopefully clear & useful. Good luck and regards...also Long Live XP! Cya...

(UPDATED) WINDOWS PREVIEWER : GET VISTA / WINDOWS 7 EXPLORER PREVIEW PANE (FILE VIEWER) ON WINDOWS XP FOR FREE HERE + Windows Search to Get Original Vista / Windows 7 Search Feature and Technology on Windows XP and Server 2003 for Free... PS: After reading this entire topic, please also visit (very recommended for Xp and 2003 users): - Recommended-> Get Vista Live Icon on Xp and Thumbnail Previews of More File Types (image, text, and document!) on Windows Explorer: Since you can also use Windows Explorer thumbnail as file preview feature, then you can also visit my this thread for Vista or Windows 7 like "Live Icon" feature in Xp later (You can use Thumbnail as another file preview feature (native) on Xp Explorer for even text and document file types now, not only images and Multimedia!): http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19751 - Get QuickView File Viewer on Xp: Actually Windows 98 already had a standard file viewer called "Quickview" on Windows Explorer (which was removed on Windows 2000 and XP). Get the original Microsoft Quickview file viewer on Windows Xp here: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19748 - Webview on Xp: Webview (Folder Image Background) on Xp without any app installed (only webview): Lolz it's nothing to do with any file viewer but still old cool feature on Windows Xp shell i guess (the feature is not supported anymore on Vista shell too bad): http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4192 (Updated) Hello, If you want to get Vista-like Explorer Preview Pane on Windows Xp Explorer (Vista Explorer file viewer) for free, just download this tools (Windows Previewer). It also works on Windows 2000, even probably Windows 98 (with IE 6 or higher). You can preview any file: text and documents (txt, ini, inf, reg, rtf, doc, html,...), images (jpeg, bmp, png, tiff, gif, psd, dwg, cdr...), even compressed (.zip) and multimedia (mp3, wma, wmv avi, mpeg...), as long as their supported application handlers available (i.e QuickTime). Even you can also add your custom file types/extensions with their handlers later, just like original Vista preview handlers as well. You can also read further information about it here: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?...ew-pane-for-xp/ http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?/to...-tools-part-ii/ Direct Download Links: Download Windows Previewer (Previewer Tool for Windows Xp Explorer like Vista preview pane) : http://www.4shared.com/file/58042204/7195b...ane_for_Xp.html - If you have some "problem/trouble" with Windows Previewer installer (e.g false positive etc), you can also download Windows Previewer installation files only (unpacked). All you have to do is only to register dll and merge registry done (install it manually without installer), easy. However if you just want "instant way", just use Windows Previewer installer above): Download Windows Previewer Installation Files Only: http://www.4shared.com/file/67506733/90ff6...tion_Files.html Added: Another Powerful File Viewer for XP Explorer With Preview Pane (just like Vista / Windows 7 feature): Free Explorer Viewer Software to preview any file on Windows Explorer (text, documents, images, multimedia audio-video, compressed binaries etc) without using the default application, easy and faster. Even it may be better for some preview features and capabilities that Windows Previewer may lack. Works on Windows All, XP, Vista, 7...: Screenshot: (Click to enlarge) Download it here: http://www.4shared.com/file/145080698/fe08...s_Explorer.html Already included in Windows Previewer download too, above. - Vista Desktop Search on XP: Also, if you're also a WDS (Windows Desktop Search) user, you will get Windows desktop search on Xp like Vista (You can also configure standard XP search companion faster "like" Vista's with indexing feature though: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307980 ) and both previewers/preview pane for Windows Explorer and as well as Vista Explorer and Search (Their preview pane looks nearly similar). To me, installing them together is very recommended. Visit Wikipedia about Window Search in both Vista and Xp. Download Windows Desktop Search (Windows Search 4.0/the latest WDS): http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...ab=Install%20It By installing WDS you can also get original Vista search engine and searchbar for Xp! Tips: Also, if you want to get functional Vista Startmenu searchbar on Xp, just drag WDS deskbar (the searchbar on taskbar) to under Xp start menu. You can search and launch program by using it like original Vista Start Menu as well! (enough with fake start menu searchbar on most Vista Themes to me). Vistart is also good idea though (The Vistart search bar is much better if it can be integrated with WDS sometime...). To add/fix previews of more file types on WDS (more than standard/default WDS previewers), please see my original article on MSDN: http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost....ID=1&mode=1 Perhaps still not as good as original Vista preview pane, but at least to me, it's still good enough ... especially for my Xp ... Important Note: Also it's always very recommended (although not must have) to get and install Windows Previewer above together with Windows Search/Windows Desktop Search 4.0 for Xp as written, that can be downloaded from Microsoft website for free: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...ch/default.mspx (or google it) ,to make Xp have same preview panes/previewer for both Xp Explorer and Search as well as Vista / Windows 7 + searchbar feature: - Please note some antivirus and antispyware programs (rare) may flag the softwares/installers (packed) as being infected/malware, although the application is perfectly safe and does not pose a threat to your system. This is called a "false positive". The term false positive is used when antivirus software wrongly classifies an innocuous ( inoffensive ) file as a virus. The incorrect detection may be due to heuristics or to an incorrect virus signature in a database. There are also some other powerful third party viewers for Windows Explorer available: e.g QuickView Plus, Getdata Explorer View, Universal Viewer / UV, and also Directory Opus / Dopus (Great Explorer Replacement/File Manager) etc: Preview using QuickView Plus (Detach Preview): Directory Opus Viewer: Universal Viewer: Another Free Useful File Viewers on Context Menu in Windows Explorer for Windows XP and 2003 also maybe 2000/9X (Thumbnail and/or file content previews): Since they are actually Windows Explorer shell extensions, you can also use them on Explorer window, search result, desktop (i.e. useful especially since you can't set thumbnail view on XP desktop unlike Vista or 7), open save as dialog box etc. - Context Viewer by Schezo: Preview text file and images on Explorer context menu. Support Susie Plug ins for more file type previews. Download for free - latest version: http://www.4shared.com/file/123321653/1448..._By_Schezo.html - ContextView Pro (free abandonware, still cool to have): Preview images and multimedia (audio and videos) file on Explorer context menu. Also best for using it i.e. as complementary tool for e.g. QuickView, QuickView Plus, or Context Viewer above (since they can't preview multimedia files) etc. For good example e.g. you can preview (listen) any mp3 file in Explorer just by right click it once, without opening any heavy media player in Windows and so on etc! Download for free - latest version: http://www.4shared.com/file/216821627/d399...ro_20_Full.html Again additionally you can also get more free file viewers and thumbnail plugins for Windows etc from here: http://www.4shared.com/dir/16848775/c90f5d...r_Thumbnai.html > (Recommended): Please Also Visit "MAKE XP START MENU BEHAVE AND LOOK LIKE VISTA AND WINDOWS 7 WITH SEARCH BAR FEATURE ETC" in MSFN: http://www.msfn.org/board/make-xp-start-me...ng-t124915.html ===================================================================== - PREVIEW PANE / FILE VIEWER ON OPEN SAVE DIALOG BOX LIKE WINDOWS EXPLORER: As you can see if you already have Vista / 7, Beside Windows Explorer, new Vista / Windows 7 common item dialog (open save dialog box) has new layout and preview pane and search toolbar (even breadcrumb bar) like in Windows Vista / 7 Explorer. If you want also to emulate/customize the common XP open and save dialog just like Vista / Windows 7 more (styles) then just download these patched comctl32.dll version 5 and 6 both in one package + guide info etc to replace etc Download: http://www.4shared.com/file/163111871/4ccc...ows_7_Open.html To customize places bar links (the left sidebar e.g. My Documents, Desktop...) in standard Windows' common open save dialog box, just use this free tool (portable, no need to install), download "Common Open Save Dialog Box Places Bar Editor" (Windows All) : http://www.4shared.com/file/207511787/b957...log_Box_Pl.html Btw if you'd like to use free replacement for standard Windows common open save dialog box for XP and Windows 9x with preview pane, search, customizable places bar and favorite links etc (like Vista / 7), then maybe you can also try this one (Windows All) : - Screenshot (Click to enlarge): Download (also included in the download package above): http://www.4shared.com/file/208746534/2e99...Box_Replac.html Alternatively You can also use some context menu viewer (such as Universal Viewer or QuickView Plus) and F3 keyboard shortcut (for Search, or Search context menu tweak on desktop & folder background: http://www.4shared.com/file/209094777/3993..._Recycle_B.html credits to Vishal Gupta) to get preview and search feature on Open and Save Dialog Boxes, and so on etc. Other related info etc: http://amirsyahrani.deviantart.com/art/Gre...Tools-142913425 ===================================================================== ADDED ANOTHER GUIDE: ONE GOOD EXAMPLE OF CUSTOMIZING/ENHANCING XP TO MAKE IT LOOK AND BEHAVE LIKE VISTA (ALSO WINDOWS 7) (In A Simplest/Minimalistic Way Without Being 100% Vista “Copycat” Lol)... Important Note: You can always customize your Windows Xp less or more or as much as you want, that’s why it’s called “personal desktop” anyways. You’re not required to make it 100% look or behave like Vista, but still “enhance” it instead (Usability is still more important than eye candy anyways IMHO)…Some further tweaks maybe required as well. You can also find/get some links for these items mainly from the main list above of course (“List of Most Vista / Windows 7 Applications and Features for Xp”) (very recommended) or just google them as usual. PS: On Windows 7 Beta, even some Vista native applications (e.g Windows Meeting Space and PhotoGallery) have been removed (get the replacements from both Windows Live and Office Live). Any effort to get them all is still relevant since Windows 7 is an enhanced version of Vista... - DESKTOP/SHELL GUI: Bootscreen: Just Standard Xp or another one with Tuneup Utilities (better than “empty”black Vista BS imo) Logon Screen: One from Xpero with Tuneup Utilities Themes/VS: VistaXp by KOL Wallpapers: Original Vista Wals Screensavers: Original Vista SS ported to Xp Most Shell Icons: Get them from VTP 9 (selective install) Vista Start Menu: Customize Xp Start Menu Without Vistart and Any Third Party: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20450 ANIMATED GUI (DWM Emulation): Shadow: Y’z Shadow Transparency: Border Skin (optional, too bad transparency sucks on Xp, mainly with topdesk) Animated Icon: Uber Icon (optional) Animated window: Window FX Flip3d: Topdesk and Vista Flip3d icon Taskbar Thumbnail: Visual Tooltip Transparent window and always on top: PowerMenu (optional) WINDOWS EXPLORER FEATURES: Explorer Breadcrumb Addressbar: Folder Pilot or QTTabbar or Minimalist Explorer Breadcrumb Vista Favorite Links: FinderX Vista Live Icon/Thumbnail and Metadata: Get More Thumbnail and Metadata on Xp Vista Viewer Pane and Search: Get Vista Explorer Preview Pane and Search on Xp Vista Command Prompt on Context Menu: Command Prompt PowerToy Vista New Window on Context Menu: Add New Window on Context Menu ORIGINAL VISTA APPLICATIONS: IE7: IE7 or IE8 WMP 11: WMP 11 with Vista WMP 11 Skin or Windows 7 WMP 12 Skin either Windows PhotoGallery: Windows Live Photo Gallery Windows Mail: Windows Live Mail Windows Calendar: Windows Live Mail or/and MS Works Calendar Windows Movie Maker: Windows Movie Maker with Vista Skin by fediaFedia Windows DVD Maker: Microsoft PhotoStory 3 with Sonic DVD Burning Plug In or Better to get Sonic RecordNow with/without DVD Studio or Nero Explorer DVD Burning: ISO powertoy and IMAPI V2 Windows Notepad, Paint, Calculator: Vista ones ported to Xp Windows Defender: Windows Defender for Windows Xp Windows Search: Windows Search 4.0 for Xp Windows Sidebar: Windows Sidebar ported to Xp by Ricktendo Windows Media Center: MCE 2005 or Windows Media Center for Xp with Vista Skin Windows Meeting Space: Just Net Meeting or Microsoft SharedView Tablet PC Applications: Snipping Tool: Vista Snipping Tool ported to Xp Sticky Notes: Sticky Notes ported to Xp Windows Journal: Windows Journal ported to Xp Windows Tablet PC Input Panel: Tablet PC Input Panel for Windows Xp Windows Vista Games: Vista Games ported to Xp DirectX10, .Net Framework 3.0, IMAPI V2 etc: They all have been ported to Windows Xp as well (read the list/google...) Etc. Again sorry for not being so complete, instead this is just one example (from my previous desktop), and you can always customize your Xp much more better completely just like/following the entire list or another alternative source of course, still your own choice and taste…anyhow it’s still recommended to only get the most wanted or needed/favorite features for you (remember that more apps=more resources), do it selectively. Anyway good luck and long live Xp indeed…cya Other recommended links to visit: "List of Most Vista and Windows 7 Applications and Features for Xp": http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20480 "Windows 7 Applications, Tools, and Features for Xp": http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21246 ============================================================== (Updated) Just Added Some Tools for Windows Explorer to The Thread Here: Some Free-Powerful Shell Extensions for Windows XP Explorer (Recommended for XP - work on other OSes like 2003, Vista, or Windows 7 too) You can also visit my original thread on Deviantart for more info, updates, etc here (Windows All): http://amirsyahrani.deviantart.com/art/Gre...Tools-142913425 1. XP / 2003 Only: Enable XP / Common Visual Style on Some Controls of Loaded Shell Extensions For Free - An Important feature for Windows XP shell customization... (Especially 3rd parties) - in shell extensions or activex objects (e.g toolbar button / BHO, explorer bar, context menu items etc) in Windows Explorer, note must support / have InitCommonControls function, with link to comctl32 version 6 in XP/Vista or higher, and so on). For more info please see some documentations about it on MSDN: e.g http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb...28VS.85%29.aspx and http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms997646.aspx (Look, if you have Vista / WIndows 7 then you will notice that Vista / 7 has already improved/enabled the feature natively, by default. You would also get the feature by installing Window Blinds on XP, but it's not free though...). To get the visual feature on XP and 2003 as default (M$ didn't do it for "some political reason" lol), on any shell extensions (especially 3rd party, if supported) visually without installing or patching any file, especially when on non-classic theme, just simply put / copy the explorer.exe.manifest (external manifest file) to Windows Directory to enable the feature without tampering explorer.exe itself or any system file (just take advantage of its "hidden" native feature instead). Easy to do that, without any special skill or "hacking" and programming language at all, lol that's it. It's safe and not harmful at all, would make XP shell looks better. You can safely delete it easily anytime if you dont want it anymore. Useful for both dev and user. Very small size (download explorer.exe.manifest for only less than 1 KB lol!) For Example: A. Before applying manifest (oldy): (Click to enlarge) B. After applying manifest (better look): (Click to enlarge) Download it Here (With Guide & Batch Files etc): (and just put it on Windows Directory (%Windir% or C:\Windows, then restart Explorer/Windows to see the changes) http://www.4shared.com/file/146116163/39c2..._Extension.html Or Just Download explorer.exe.manifest file only: http://www.4shared.com/file/146169885/abb0...xplorerexe.html Alternatively you can also copy this code and save it as .manifest file named "explorer.exe.manifest" using Notepad: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?> <assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0"> <assemblyIdentity version="1.0.0.0" processorArchitecture="X86" name="CompanyName.ProductName.YourApp" type="win32" /> <description>Your application description here.</description> <dependency> <dependentAssembly> <assemblyIdentity type="win32" name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls" version="6.0.0.0" processorArchitecture="X86" publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df" language="*" /> </dependentAssembly> </dependency> </assembly> You can also use it with any "MyApp" app with myapp.exe executable file for similar purpose as well (if supported, with above requirements e.g has link to comctl32 and so on), just rename it myapp.exe.manifest (following the executable name) and put it as external file in the same directory e.g in MyApp folder). To get the same result on control panel extension/applets (.cpl), since .cpl is actually a dll that is running by using rundll32.exe, then just use same manifest file (renamed to "rundll32.exe.manifest") and copy it to C:\Windows\system32. You may need to restart Windows (or the service) before the change appears. Download (complete): http://www.4shared.com/file/153774846/19cd..._Extension.html Or download rundll32.exe.manifest file only: http://www.4shared.com/file/153775143/deca...undll32exe.html 2. "New Folder" Button in XP Explorer Toolbar / Command Bar (just like Windows 7): Actually Windows XP already has its own "Make a new folder" button too, to create a new folder in Windows Explorer (it's located in XP Webview Panel/Common Task Pane, see screenshot: http://img243.imageshack.us/i/standardxpnewfolderbutt.jpg/ ), but yeah some people would love it's on the explorer toolbar as well as Open/Save dialog box (and just like Windows 7 RTM Explorer now). Hopefully useful for you... Since Baxbex new folder offered only old Windows 98 style icon (not matching with new XP visual style) see: http://www.baxbex.com/images/shoots/bxnewfolder.html , then you can just download this free add on for new folder button in XP Explorer Toolbar (my created-skinned/reshacked bxnewfolder with Vista / 7 style icon etc) + using hotkey and floating dialog box, + external manifest file (explorer.exe.manifest) to enable XP / Visual style on some controls as above. Fully functional and working as well. See online screenshots: http://img263.imageshack.us/i/newfolderbuttoninxpexpl.jpg/ and http://img263.imageshack.us/i/cleanerusefuldialogboxa.jpg/ -> Screenshots of "New Folder" button on XP Explorer Toolbar: (Sorry can't display more larger images here for some technical reason): A. Vista / 7 style icon new folder on XP Toolbar: (Click to enlarge) B. Creating new folder on XP Explorer: (Click to enlarge) C. Creating new folder dialog box - useful and cleaner UI with XP / Vista visual style: Download it Here: http://www.4shared.com/file/140689147/273f...er_Toolbar.html Hopefully still useful especially for XP users here (works on 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003..., while it has only dialog box and hotkey on Vista and 7 though). By the way, since this one is just using the same library from baxbex new folder (it's freeware, all credits and thanks to Baxbex), and most people had complaint about that they were not able to reshack the app using Resource Hacker / any res editor to change the original "old" Windows 98 style icon etc in the bx toolbar, actually it's because the file (activeX dll) was encrypted and compressed (packed) with 3rd party PE compressor (e.g UPX, Execryptor...), after checking it by PEid then i found it that was Aspack 2.12 and then decided to unpack it, (note: not all app binaries can work properly after they are unpacked, so it's also necessary to dissassembly, dump and rebuild the PE headers, some fixes and rechecks etc) until the dll was registered fine, finally the little work was kinda like reverse engineering rather than just reshacking lol. And since it was unpacked (uncompressed), the size become little bigger of course lol although there's no problem with it, anyway i wish they would also update the app in near future, soon... Updated: If you already have standard/original Baxbex New Folder application installed: http://www.baxbex.com/ , then you can also just download this smaller patch only to get Vista style icon (would also give the similar result): http://www.4shared.com/file/152692792/5722...atch_Only_.html 3. FolderBox for Windows Explorer (Unpacked too/Skinned/skinnable): A free application that displays additional folders (window) in the lower part of Windows Explorer, displays the contents of two folders or more, useful and cool (with Windows 98 icons though). So i just changed some few UI features of it (unpacked and res-edited like BxNewFolder above, "fixed" text, enabled "dead" icons and so on...). a free application that displays additional folders (window) in the lower part of Windows Explorer, displays the contents of two folders or more, very useful. Since it's already unpacked, you may customize the icons yourself if you want later, by using any capable delphi res editor e.g PE Explorer. At least it's still better than original look imo, + also enabled (some) XP visual common controls as said above, works well on Vista and Windows 7 as well as Windows XP: Screenshot: (Click to enlarge) Edit/Updated: Beside the standard one, i've just added FolderBox with Vista Icons (on its toolbar - see screenshots), sorry just got them for free (free Vista toolbar icons, 100% legal). Just like the standard one, FolderBox with Vista icons will work well on all Windows versions: 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, and Windows 7 without any problem so far: Screenshot of FolderBox (with Vista icons) on XP and Windows 7: (Click to enlarge) Download it here: http://www.4shared.com/file/145993156/b890...ed-Skinned.html Again this FolderBox version works on Windows all: 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7...all credits to Baxbex for the free original apps (just skinned them). Updated: If you already have standard/original Baxbex FolderBox application installed: http://www.baxbex.com/ , then you can also just download this smaller patch only to get Vista style icons (would also give the similar result): http://www.4shared.com/file/152692434/46e8...atch_Only_.html 4. Another Useful File Viewer for XP Explorer With Preview Pane (just like Vista / Windows 7 feature): Preview any file on Windows Explorer (text, documents, images, multimedia audio-video, compressed binaries etc) without using the default application, easy and faster (already mentioned above): Updated: it's already included a patch to get Vista style icons too (optional) now, in the same download package below: Download it here: http://www.4shared.com/file/145080698/fe08...s_Explorer.html OS: Windows XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7...(Windows All). You can also please visit my thread here for more options etc: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?...ew-pane-for-xp/ - Vista or Windows 7 Common Open and Save Dialog Box for Windows XP (skinned): Make common XP open and save dialog box like the one in Vista or Windows 7 (some icons or GUI elements, my places editor...) by patching comdlg32.dll and comctl32.dll both version 5 and 6 (side by side) in XP using Resource Hacker or any capable binary resource editor (e.g. PE Explorer etc). (Actually the main dialog box UI resource is in comdlg32.dll file e.g. layouts, control buttons etc, however i didn't include the edited comdlg32.dll here since there's almost no significant difference between XP and Vista except for some minor button changes, but except for new Vista/7 only common item dialogs, which too bad, not portable mainly for the new APIs in the OS, unless (maybe) you're using some 3rd party emulators such as WPF task dialog libraries). to change all the common dialog boxes UI in Windows (e.g. open & save, print, run dialog boxes, etc) like some layouts and control buttons etc you'd need to edit dialog resources in comdlg32.dll library using Reshack or any capable resource editor : Screenshot: (Click to enlarge it) If you want also to customize the common XP open and save dialog just like Vista / Windows 7 more (styles) then just download these patched comctl32.dll version 5 and 6 both in one package + guide info etc to replace etc Download: http://www.4shared.com/file/163111871/4ccc...ows_7_Open.html To customize places bar links (the left sidebar e.g. My Documents, Desktop...) in standard Windows' common open save dialog box, just use this free tool (portable, no need to install), download "Common Open Save Dialog Box Places Bar Editor" (Windows All) : http://www.4shared.com/file/207511787/b957...log_Box_Pl.html Btw if you'd like to use free replacement for standard Windows common open save dialog box for XP and Windows 9x with preview pane, search, customizable places bar and favorite links etc (like Vista / 7), then maybe you can also try this one (Windows All) : Download (also included in the download package above): http://www.4shared.com/file/208746534/2e99...Box_Replac.html Other related info etc: http://amirsyahrani.deviantart.com/art/Gre...Tools-142913425 ===================================================================== - Added Here: Some other free "special" shell extension-based tools/apps that might be useful for you (file viewers and metadata properties tools etc) here: Download links: - EXIF tooltip & tag editor on context menu : http://www.4shared.com/file/68602957/34e8b...Windows_Xp.html - Multimedia tooltip & tag editor on context menu (album art + metadata editor etc) : http://www.4shared.com/file/60548711/9c3f8...r_Explorer.html - Thumbnail for text files on Windows Explorer : http://www.4shared.com/file/60260203/cf905..._explorer_.html - Vista Explorer preview pane for XP (File viewer-Complete) : http://www.4shared.com/file/58042204/7195b...ane_for_Xp.html - MacOSX/Leopard-style Coverflow (AKA Quicklook) for Windows Explorer (directory, file content, & thumbnail viewer etc): Explorer Coverflow for Windows by Vemod - aqua-soft.org (full credits to him) : http://www.aqua-soft.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=52376 Edit: there are still "afew issues" with Vista/7 though, also seems it's not quite stable on XP. Anyhow it's still free and working, and seems the app itself is still under development/being developed...(thanks to my friend Kyosan for the info btw). Note: XP/2003: You need administrator rights to install the shell extensions. Vista/Windows 7: Make sure you always install/register/run "as administrator" (self explanatory)... ===================================================================== OK, that's all so far. Pardon my bad English, hopefully clear & useful for you. Finally Long Live Xp and Cya... Offtopic: "Bonus": Especially for Windows XP and Server 2003 users only here -> You can visit these links below to transform XP to Vista or Windows 7 for free, in both GUI and functionality as well (recommended), yeah especially since XP can still do anything as well as Vista and even Windows 7, just with some easy tweaks and help from free third party applications and so on...: 1. "List of Most Vista and Windows 7 Applications for Windows XP" (WinMatrix): http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?...eatures-for-xp/ 2. "List of Most Vista and Windows 7 Applications for Windows XP" (Wincert): http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?/to...eatures-for-xp/ 3. "Windows 7 Applications, Tools, and Features for XP": http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?...-for-xp-simple/ i.e. for example of the implementation you can also see a screenshot of my "XP Ultimate" desktop here http://img252.imageshack.us/i/mydesktopyeshy3.jpg/ - fully updated, enhanced, and customized/modded/skinned as well, it has almost all of Vista and Windows 7 features and applications, in both GUI and functionality etc.... So Welcome Windows 7, Be Good Vista, and Long Live XP (XP will still be officially supported until 2014 by Microsoft, only for security and critical updates though. Still great and thanks to M$ for that anyway)... Anyway good luck and cya... B) and also always say Long Live Windows XP as usual! Cheers!

Hello, this free utility (Thumbnail Extensions by Schezo - English version), adds text files thumbnails (such as .txt, .reg, .log, .ini, .xml, etc) on Windows Explorer, so you can preview thumbnails of text files as well as image and multimedia files on Windows Explorer . It also supports free Susie plugins to support thumbnails of more file types on Explorer (such as .tiff, .png, .htm, .html, .psd, .dwg and more...). Works well on all versions of Windows especially for Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, 2003, and Xp: Download Thumbnail Extensions (+ included some Susie plug ins): http://www.4shared.com/file/57369582/887d5..._explorer_.html Enjoy.

Thanks mate but actually I am using Windows Xp now. I have tried it and seems Thumbnail Extension also works on Xp as well. dunno on Vista. Which i like about Thumbnail Extensions is giving text file preview/thumbnail in Explorer. Unfortunately it comes only with Japanese font and language .it looks cooler and understandable if there also english version available for us. I am still looking for english one like eidenk's (still nothing). Could you help me please where can i get it? or at least another alternative please? it's really a unique n cool tool. again Thanks and regards EDIT: I have found it! after i emailed request directly to the author (Credit to:Mr/Ms Schezo, very thanks), in one day he/she sent me a new/updated english one! however only japanese version available on their official website: www.vector.co.jp (all with japanese language). after make sure everything's really ok i will upload it and post the link soon with MD5 here. Hopefully will be helpful for people who need it. In my opinion it's very useful utility for Windows 98, 2000 also xp as well (still dunno about vista, who cares..uppz sorry). Thanks and kind regards-Amirz EDIT : Here is to download Thumbnail Extension (English): http://www.4shared.com/file/57369582/887d5..._explorer_.html Thumbnail Extensions supports Text Files Thumbnail on Windows Explorer (thumbnails of .txt, .log, .reg, .ini, .css, .vbs, .inf etc on Windows Explorer!). Also supports Susie Plug ins (included) for .html, .dwg, .psd, .tga on Explorer: Good utility for Windows 98 even Xp! No need to install anything, no running process (just as a shell extension/rewrite the registry): Good luck

Hello all, I know i have come late, but if you dont mind, could you also send me the english version of thumbnail extension to my secondary email: jaya.suprana@gmail.com please? or upload to some place (it's better for sharing with others who need). Or if available, at least where can we download the english one? I have been browsing everywhere but still find nothing for english version. please I would like to appreciate it so much. Thank you and regards-Amirz