Software Update: XPize 5 Beta 3
XPero released the third beta release of version 5 of XPize on Sunday. This program can refresh the user interface of Windows XP or 2003. There are still pictures and icons in Windows that were already available in Windows 95. XPize modifies the original images in over 150 system files to reshape icons, animations, and the like. So no separate software is needed to display them. Furthermore, the screensaver, the start-up and login screen can also be adjusted.
In version 5 not much has changed in the end result. However, the installation process has been completely overhauled and the program will now also be able to handle 64-bit versions of Windows XP and 2003 Server. In order to do its job, XPize needs version 2.0 of the .NET FrameWork and Windows XP SP3 must also be installed. This beta release is only for the 32bit version of XP, but more versions will be supported in the next release. If you get the error message that SP3 is not installed or if you want to try it on the 64bis version of Windows XP, you will find here more information. Below are the release notes for XPize 5 beta 3:
XPize 5 Beta 3 Release Notes
This is the second public release of xpize 5, released to coincide with the second release of the Anolis Installer software.
Change List:
- Now includes the Blue, Luna Element, and Black resource color schemes. The Black scheme includes contributions by Zedox (author of XPize Darkside) and is a superset of XPize Darkside.
- Built on a newer release of the Anolis Installer framework
- XP navigation buttons brought back to Internet Explorer 7
- Windows Defender now patched
- Other than that, most of the other changes are in the Installer framework
Installer Issues
- The “Download Tools” feature doesn’t work because I haven’t configured the server yet, you’ll notice the error is 404.
- Not all strings have been localised. If a localized string is missing the English equivalent will be used as a fallback. I’ll need to get the translation volunteers to finish off the tables when it hits final. Let me know of any mistranslations.
- There is no way to opt-out of checking for updates, which means your IP address will be logged by my server. This is used only for geostatistical purposes and never used to identify you personally.
- Progress is not shown for the extraction of the package beyond “LZMA”.
- The installer is not customized with xpize banner and watermark images.
- The “Show Log” button doesn’t keep the log window up-to-date.
Installation Issues
- For some reason screensavers aren’t being applied. I’m setting the registry key right, but the Display control panel just isn’t picking it up. I’m actively investigating.
- Custom file type icons aren’t being set. This is because the code to work with file types hasn’t been finished.
- The UxTheme patcher (based off DeepXW’s Universal-patching heuristics-based approach) has not been tested. All but two of the included visual styles are compatible with the original unpatched UxTheme.dll. Let me know if it doesn’t work or causes any kind of system error.
I386 Installation Issues
- The installer will refuse to handle the package if its condition=”” doesn’t match your system (ie if you’re running XPx64 and want to patch an XPx86 ISO on your computer). Until the next release is out you can bypass this by adding the /ignorePackageCondition command-line switch (note that it is case-sensitive)
- Custom Windows setup artwork is not applied.
Uninstallation Issues
- Wallpaper files aren’t removed, but the wallpaper setting is reset.
- Cursors aren’t removed nor reset to their original setting.
Click on the image for a larger version.
Version number | 5 beta 3 |
Release status | beta |
Operating systems | Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 |
Website | XPize |
Download | http://www.xpize.net/downloads/xpize5B3.exe |
File size | 17.60MB |
License type | Freeware |