I recently had a chance to preview both of these programs, that allow the user to “skin” their GUIs to whatever color, shape, size and structure you can think of. I wanted a way to add a personal flair to my desktop far beyond what my wallpaper could offer. I had heard good things about TGTSoft’s Style XP, so I started there.

**Review Style XP version 3.1**

I purchased this program with the promise of the utility using “No system resources” in order to run. I browsed the library of files available for download, and quickly learned that they had a whole site: ThemeXP.org dedicated with user uploads, and a huge library to choose from. The program costs $19.95 and gives you a year of free updates on the software. I downloaded my registered version, headed over the themexp.org and found a skin I wanted to download. I noticed that when you download the files, they save to your desktop, and don’t automatically “extract” themselves into StyleXP. What is worse, is that they download as .exe file that require you to “install” them and they attempt to install 6 unwanted programs with the file. What is even worse than that, it that you cannot even install the file without saying yes to install 2 of the programs. Beware that all files are like this, and the following programs each file comes with the following unwanted mess: Acoona Toolbar, Accona Assistant, Hyperlinker, NewNet Domain, Freeze.com screensavers, DVD Resales coupon and some other unidentified file in my add/remove programs called ThemeXP.org.

Needless to say this program is total crap, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. TGTSoft should be ashamed of this kind of support with their program and unwanted software bundling of their skin extensions. I can’t believe anyone uses this program with each file being stuffed with crap.

Pros: Does more than just skin toolbar, it does boot screens, icons, logon screens, and wallaper

Cons: Use of windows directory to manage skins, skins are bundled with lots of unwanted software, skins download to desktop and require an install, instead of self-extracting

Rating: 0 / 5
Company: TGTsoft
Program: Style XP 3.1
Support Site: ThemeXP
Cost: $19.95 USD
License: 1 Year