Clean, Minimal Theme for Windows 7?

[jitspoe]

So I built a new machine and put Windows 7 on it.  I really don't like the UI - so much wasted space and bloat.  I've searched briefly for themes, but it seems they're just more of the same with different colors/backgrounds.  Are there any nice, simple, clean themes out there for Windows 7?  Something like this:

(Note the sharp corners and 1-pixel borders - pretty much no wasted space, except on the bottom... oh well, almost perfect)

[zimtstern]

Use the old of win2k

[jitspoe]

That's what I'm using now, but it looks really ugly in Windows 7 for some reason, plus it's not quite as clean and minimal as I would like.

[Eiii]

+1 for people who name their laptops 'lappy'.

A more minimalist UI isn't a default option from what I can tell, and I don't think there are any serious UI hacks for aero yet.

[jitspoe]

I feel like I'm the only person who wants a clean, minimalist theme.  There are some windows 7 UI hacks out there, but no good themes have come of them (that I can find).  I'm looking at window blinds now, but even stuff you have to pay for seems to be craptastic.  It's either more bloated, or so minimal it won't even give you minimize/maximize buttons.

[vLaD]

there is the windows classic theme. but it still sucks.

[jitspoe]

http://djabytown.deviantart.com/art/Elegant-GRAY-VS-Windows-7-RC-126480033

Best I've managed to find so far, but it doesn't quite work 100%.

Edit: This one's not terrible:

http://mini-slash.deviantart.com/art/SlanXP-2-0-For-7-134955170

[vLaD]

eh i would rather tweak too my own desire then have those they seem to be more of a pain to get used too then their efficiency

[jitspoe]

I'm not sure how to go about making my own yet.  The visual style file seems to be some sort of executable.  I'm fairly content with SlanXP for now, though.

If anybody is interested in Windows 7 themes, you need to either patch the theme dlls, or install this: http://www.uxstyle.com/

[mewa]

alright jitspoe, heres what ive got for you.

i had the same frustration, of going from an os whom's territory i felt i could walk on the water of, to this new and seemingly better thing (more convinced everyday this is the case) that i can just tread its water. seems most serious users bypassed the vista option all together, for known reasons, and left this new planet without due products to make it the way it could and should be. anyways things are definitely more tied down in 7 and it makes me think im on a mac half the time (but i kiss the carpet everytime i realize im not), but this program has helped me for the few hours ive had it.

http://www.vistastartmenu.com/index.html

not a full fix to the lack of customization that made pc's what they are, but a good start. seems to run lite'ish, but has a hell of a time creating the initial cache (i hope it's only initial). all in all a lot more flexibility and showing of what i'd like to see in a start menu, so im going with it till it does something to really piss me off. check it out.


ps - if you can figure out how to set the "menu delay" in this program, let me know. i havent gone into the reg yet, but playing with the programs options while writing this doesnt show anything. way too slow though, by far is gonna be my gripe with this program.

[jitspoe]

Cool, though I don't really use the start menu.  I'm tempted to buy one of the apps for theming Windows 7.  Not sure if it's worth spending $20 on, though.