Windows XP - Classic View vs Normal View

[eranga262154]

Hi all,

As you guys know on your choice, you can change the Widows display view. Two option are available,

1. Widows XP Style
2. Widows Classic Style

Some people believe that Widows XP Style need much higher system configurations(mostly they talking about memory), than Classic style. Is that true. I don't found any related details on it.

Microsoft never talking about such points.

[drivenbywhat]

The xp theme uses more "graphical elements". I take it to mean it will uses more vid memory and ram. Chances are if you are using a fairly decent system with good specs, you won't notice the performance issue. People whose pc isn't up to date will. For example, me. My pc specs are 933mhz, 512mb ram, 8mb vid. Obviously, my pc will not perform as "good" with xp themes as it would with classic view. That's why I use classic.

[eranga262154]

Yes, video memory can be effect on this. Because graphic can be effect, if the system have more video memory. But how about the ram effect on graphics.

[drivenbywhat]

Well, I'm no expert but I would think if you don't have enough vid memory, the pc would try to use ram memory, therefore, lowering your available ram.

[Arrow_Raider]

If your computer has problems using the skinned theme, you need a new computer.

[IntelSucks]

The windows xp theme is overrated anyhow...as well as windows xp. Ill never change from classic (at work). Just thought id clarify that I don't use windows by choice.

[drivenbywhat]

Let me guess, you're a linux or mac user...

[eranga262154]

Most Linux users like to use XP classic view. I don't why, may be look on both themes are quite similar.

[kregg]

Maybe that, but it's also much more easier and more widely available to use the classic view. Anyways, I (am ashamed to say) use the Vista toolbar skin on Linux. It's the only one that doesn't look badly designed.

Some people not only choose classic view, but they go to Systems settings in the Control Panel, and choose the minimalistic choice (i.e. Advanced tab> (Under performance) Settings>Adjust for best performance) for best performance, sacrificing half of Windows XP features.

On the contrary, some people (e.g. me) go to the length of patching a specific DLL file to allow Unsigned themes to be installed in Windows so that Windows can be skinned (but not too heavily). Users that want "heavy" skinning should try WindowsBlinds, like I am now.

[IntelSucks]

Let me guess, you're a linux or mac user...

I used to be a windows user, before XP. I also boycotted windows XP when it came out...then eventually started using it, turning off the Fisher Price theme. Then switched to an even more childish GUI in OSX when I bought an iBook. Not long after buying the iBook, I had realized what an idiot I was for joining the apple cult (not because of the OS...just because I didn't want to be "that guy"). So I put an "anti" sticker over the apple, slapped some ubuntu/debian stickers on and went from there.


I did my first linux install (mandrake) not long after my first windows installation about 8 years ago and im 22. Couldn't get my modem to work so I ended up using windows again.

I don't really discriminate against OS's though....I like features of all of them. At one point, I was using Windows, OSX, and multiple flavors of linux at the same time...now I use Linux at home..and windows/os at work.........

[Lord Orwell]

The themes require a specific service to run for them to work, and this eats both memory and processing power. Run services.msc and look for the service called (duh) "Themes". It doesn't actually use much in the way of memory, but it does slow down desktop drawing because it adds an extra drawing step on each control/window paint.

[dilettante]

Maybe the worst part was having only the three available color schemes that came with Luna. The Zune theme is pretty nice though, and I think it adds a harder-edged functional look to XP.

[Lord Orwell]

my dll is patched as well. It was much harder patching the 64-bit one. But oddly enough xp64 comes with the 32-bit explorer as an option and if i was really wanting to skin things up properly, i could run that one instead.

[reubenco]

The xp theme uses more "graphical elements". I take it to mean it will uses more vid memory and ram. Chances are if you are using a fairly decent system with good specs, you won't notice the performance issue. People whose pc isn't up to date will. For example, me. My pc specs are 933mhz, 512mb ram, 8mb vid. Obviously, my pc will not perform as "good" with xp themes as it would with classic view. That's why I use classic.

512mb ram, that's wild. I just got a laptop with 32GB! 512 probably would have seemed like a lot to me back in the day though, crazy how far we have come.