NOTE: Since Windows 8 is currently under testing, its UI is going to change in future builds. We'll update this tutorial whenever a new feature or GUI change occurs in Windows 8. So keep checking this tutorial regularly.
Finally, the wait is over. After getting so many requests to post a tutorial to transform Windows 7 into Windows 8, today we are happy to announce it. This is the 4th tutorial of our "Transform Windows" series. You can take a look at other 3 tutorials using following links:
Although we have posted about a few 3rd party transformation packs in past which help you in making Windows 7 look-like Windows 8:
But this tutorial like previous tutorials has been created for people who love to do the task manually and want to use selected things to convert Windows 7 into Windows 8 so that they can have an idea what they are going to do with their system.
NOTE: Please create a Restore point using "System Restore" before applying anything mentioned in this tutorial so that you can restore your system back to default if you don't like the changes.
After following this tutorial, you'll get the same Windows 8 look in your Windows 7. Following is a list of things which are going to change after following this tutorial:
Windows Theme or Visual StyleIconsBoot ScreenLogin Screen or Welcome ScreenSoundsCursorsRibbon UI in Windows ExplorerStart Screen with Live TilesWallpaperUser Picture Tile in TaskbarAero Auto-Colorization FeatureWindows 8 Watermark on DesktopExtrasSo without wasting time, lets start the tutorial:
Windows Theme or Visual Style
Recent Windows 8 builds have featured a new Aero Lite theme. We have shared lots of themes for Windows 7 which provide similar UI.
You can download your desired one using following topics:
Icons
Currently Windows 8 icons are same as Windows 7. We'll update this section as soon as Windows 8 comes with new icons.
Boot Screen
The testing builds of Windows 8 come with new animated Betta Fish boot screen. If you can remember the same Betta Fish was used in Windows 7 Beta builds.
You can get this boot screen using following links:
[Animated] Download Windows 8 Milestone 3 “Betta Fish” Boot Screen for Windows 7
Download Windows 8 Milestone 3 “Betta Fish” Boot Screen for Windows 7
If you don't like the default Betta Fish boot screen, you can try following minimal boot screen with Metro feeling:
Download Windows 8 Metro UI Inspired Minimal Boot Screen for Windows 7
Login Screen or Welcome Screen
Windows 8 login screen contains new background image and also shows current date and time.
To get Windows 8 login screen in Windows 7, first download the background image using this topic and then use any tool mentioned in following topic to apply the image as login screen background:
Ultimate Collection of the Best Free Tools to Customize Windows 7 Login Screen
To get the date and time on login screen, check following topics:
Get Windows 8 Like Date and Time Display on Windows 7 Login Screen
Download Windows 8 Metro Logon Clock Screensaver
Sounds
Currently Windows 8 sound scheme is same as Windows 7. We'll update this section as soon as Windows 8 comes with new sound scheme.
Cursors
Currently Windows 8 cursors are same as Windows 7. We'll update this section as soon as Windows 8 comes with new cursors.
Ribbon UI in Windows Explorer
Windows 8 also features Office 2010 Ribbon UI in Windows Explorer. You can get the Ribbon UI in Windows 7 Explorer using following article:
Get Windows 8 Look-Like Ribbon UI in Windows XP, Vista and 7 Explorer using Styler Skin
Start Screen with Live Tiles
Microsoft has featured a new Start Screen in Windows 8 which looks similar to Windows Phone 7 home screen. It basically shows live tiles of the installed programs in Windows 8.
You can get it in Windows 7 using following articles:
Get Windows 8 Start Screen in Windows XP, Vista and 7 Using “Omnimo 4? Rainmeter Skin Suite
Pulmon: Free Utility to Get Windows 8 Style Live Tiles with Metro UI on Windows Desktop
Mosaic: Get Windows 8 Style Live Tiles with Metro UI on Windows XP, Vista and 7 Desktop
Win8Menu: Get Windows 8 Look-Like Tablet UI with Sidebar Panel in Windows 7
Wallpaper
You can download some cool Windows 8 wallpapers using following links:
Download Top 10 Unofficial Windows 8 Wallpapers
Download Original Microsoft Windows 8 Milestone 3 Build 7989 Wallpaper
Download Remix Version of “Lets Not Leak Our Hard Work” Wallpaper found in Windows 8
Download New Wallpaper Found in Latest Windows 8 Milestone 3 Build
Download Original Microsoft Windows 8 Milestone 3 Build 7910 Wallpaper
User Picture Tile in Taskbar
Microsoft has integrated Windows Live service in Windows 8 shell. Now Windows 8 shows user picture tile in Taskbar notification area.
You can get it in Windows 7 using following topics:
UserTile: Free Utility to Get Windows 8 User Picture Tile (Avatar) in Windows 7 Taskbar
Get Windows 8 Look-Like User Picture Tile (Avatar) in Notification Area of Windows 7
Aero Auto-Colorization Feature
One of the most interesting feature of Windows 8 is "Aero Auto-Colorization" which is the ability to automatically configure the color of Aero elements, like the Start Menu, Windows Explorer windows, and the taskbar based on the desktop wallpaper.
You can get the same effect in Windows 7 using following free tools:
Aura: Get Windows 8 Aero Auto-Colorization Feature in Windows Vista and 7
Aero Color Show: Free Tool to Get Windows 8 Aero Auto-Colorization Feature in Windows 7
Windows 8 Watermark on Desktop
Watermark aka Windows build number is shown at the right-bottom of Desktop in Windows testing buils. You can get Windows 8 watermark in Windows 7 using following topic:
How to Show Windows 8 Watermark (Build Number Info) on Windows 7 Desktop?
Extras
Following are some software and skins which will provide Windows 8 Metro UI feeling in Windows 7. You should definitely have a look at them:
That's all for now. After following all the above mentioned steps, you'll get Windows 8 look-n-feel in Windows 7.
If you like this, you might also like other similar articles in following section: Windows 7, Windows 7 Themes.
Also check out our popular articles list to read our best articles or if you want a complete list of all articles, please take a look at our archive.
You can also subscribe to our RSS feed or sign-up for our free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox.
If you have some news or tip to share, please send us.