[DiTECH]

Windows 7 only hit the store shelves 9 days ago, but, as us geeks got our hands on it much earlier, we already explorered most of the OS—including the desktop customization aspect of it.
Using Vista Style Builder to build visual styles for 7, and AveStyler or UXStyle to enable custom, non-Microsoft visual styles on your system, you can already begin skinning Windows 7. For many people, desktop customization plays a huge role in their OS experience, and if 7 is new and doesn’t have any stylish skins (like the majority of Vista skins out there, yuck), these customization enthusiasts may be reluctant to switch.
Although, with some poking around, we’ve found some pretty sleek and stylish skins for Windows 7 that you’re sure to enjoy. Click to enlarge all thumbnail previews besides each skin’s description:

SlanXP 2.0 for 7

With Windows XP, a popular look amongst the desktop customization community was the thin, black taskbar look. Because of this, SlanXP 2.0 was an instant favorite among many, so it’s no wonder that people who may have upgraded to Vista/7 miss that thin black taskbar. No need to fear though, as GeekSmack Editor and skin designer Alex decided to port over SlanXP 2.0, along with the 2 other XP skins that are next on this list.



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Eno for Windows 7

Another popular choice amongst the thin black taskbar crowd was ported over by GeekSmack Editor Alex—Eno. This skin, with a slick start button and start menu was stylish back in the XP days, and it’s still stylish now.



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GelXP Blue for 7

If you crave a more blue and plastic-y look for 7, then GelXP Blue is the perfect skin for you. With clean, blue gradients this skin looks great with the default Windows 7 wallpaper; even the default Starter edition one.



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Windows 7 “Prototype”

Having a look similar to that of the actual Windows 7 Milestone 2 build (that we managed to exclusively reveal), this skin is a must for those of you who want a M2-esque look and feel on your desktop.



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Clearscreen Sharp

Something that I noticed with the majority of Vista styles out there is that, all the skins which have the Aero look (meaning the majority of them) looked pretty hideous. I don’t know what it is; maybe Aero is just perfect the way it is, but whatever it is custom skins having Aero’s transparency with their own unique twist often botch the clean, crisp look of Aero. However, I personally loved Clearscreen Sharp’s take on the clear Windows Aero UI.

It maintains a nice, crisp glassy feel without looking tacky, ugly, or just plain “n00bish”, to put it simply, and that’s why I like it. With the right wallpaper and perhaps some custom icons for superbar items, Clearscreen Sharp is definitely a winner in my book.



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Soft7 1.7 for Windows 7

Something that I personally admire about this skin in particular is the clean gradients, transparent yet sleek windows, and the way the superbar looks with certain icons that seem to fit in perfectly with this skin. The clean silver start button, and how it has a dropshadow also looks pretty good to me.



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NEXTLevel Port for 7

For those of you thirsty for a darker, enthusiast-ish look for 7, NEXTLevel may suit your needs.



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Well, I hope you enjoyed this list of 7 Windows 7 skins that I personally found to be good looking.

source: geeksmack.net

This post has been edited by DiTECH: 02 November 2009 - 03:06 AM

[pcHuntqwerty]

These are really the best themes available for Windows 7!

[Laguna]

WOOOOW!! These are absolutely awesome!! Great list. Thanks a lot

[PurplePeopleEater]

You hit the nail on the head with Clearscreen Sharp. Best Vista VS by far, and when I found out it was ported to 7 I shatbrix

[PcModer]

Clearscreen Sharp FTW!

[fediaFedia]

Although Cleanscreen may seem awesome on the preview, I never get to use it more than 20 minutes, something doesn't feel good about it. Using my own personal "Frankenstein" mod which includes parts from Vista, Stardock impulse, 7, skype

[maac]

Big fat thanks for this thread, I love you

[USG Ishimura]

Really great thread!

[coldemone]

Quote

Something that I noticed with the majority of Vista styles out there is that, all the skins which have the Aero look (meaning the majority of them) looked pretty hideous. I don’t know what it is; maybe Aero is just perfect the way it is, but whatever it is custom skins having Aero’s transparency with their own unique twist often botch the clean, crisp look of Aero.

irl, flattened glass looks good. Any bumps and engravements only makes it look crappy. One perfect example is the start orb button. It doesn't look cool with an uneven tint too.

[alphatonic]

Cool styles! Thanks dude

[CAS91572]

Wow nice list! I already have Nextlevel, but I'm going to get the other ones!

[fredekt]

I like the Soft 1.7, and im using it right now

[Liskiller]

Most of these are Vista msstyles ported to 7.