Turn older versions of Windows into Windows 10 with a transformation pack
Whenever a preview of a new operating system is shown chance is good that someone will create a transformation pack that turns older versions of an operating system into the new one.
We have seen transformation packs for a variety of systems in the past. You can turn current versions of Windows into Mac OS X Yosemite for instance.
Attention: Most transformation packs modify files on the system and install new programs on it. This can lead to unforeseen consequences which is why it is always suggested to create a backup before the installer is run on Windows.
The Windows 10 Transformation Pack, as the name suggests, turns current versions of Windows into a Windows 10 look-a-like system. It is compatible with all versions of Windows starting with Windows XP all the way up to Windows 8.1. In addition, it is also working on server systems.
The transformation pack is a collection of programs, themes, icons and designs that are installed as one package on compatible systems.
Note: Some programs and features require various .NET framework versions. The start menu and Aero auto-colorization require the .Net Framework 2.0 for instance, while Newgen (Metro UI), the Framework 4.0.
Integrated are the important UxStyle memory patching program which makes necessary modifications to Windows system files in memory so that third-party themes can be loaded, specific themes for each supported operating system, and six additional programs that add various features such as a start menu or virtual desktops.
As you can see from the screenshot above, there are limitations in regards to how close it comes to Windows 10. The start menu for instance looks different even though it combines tiles and programs just like the Windows 10 start menu does.
The transformation pack has a size of 92 Megabyte. It comes as a zip file that you need to unpack on your system after the download. A single executable file is extracted that you need to run on the system to install the transformation pack on it.
This brings up the an options menu that you can use to customize the installation. It is for instance possible to disable the installation of virtual desktops or the start menu (which only works in Windows 7 or newer anyway). The Immersive UI (Metro) is not enabled by default. If you want the Charms Bar or Metro Start Screen, you need to enable that separately as well.
What you may want to do is disable the set to homepage option which is checked by default. Your browser's homepage will be changed by the installer if you don't.
Once you have made your selection the installation begins. It may be necessary to restart the PC after the installation before all the changes are visible on the screen.
You should be able to uninstall the transformation pack again at any time using the default program uninstaller or any third-party program.
Closing Words
The Windows 10 Transformation Pack does a great job at turning current versions of Windows into Windows 10. The customization options are mighty useful, I like that it provides you with options to block certain programs from being installed. The start menu for example is not really that usable in my opinion.
What mental age of reader are you targeting with the first sentence? 10?
Why not write an article on how to *avoid* upgrading from W10 to W11. Analogous to those like me who avoided upgrading from 7 to 10 for as long as possible.
If your paymaster Microsoft permits it, of course.
5. Rufus
6. Ventoy
PS. I hate reading these “SEO optimized” articles.
I used Rufus to create an installer for a 6th gen intel i5 that had MBR. It upgraded using Setup. No issues except for Win 11 always prompting me to replace my local account. Still using Win 10 Pro on all my other PCs to avoid the bullying.
bit pointless to upgrade for the sake of upgrading as you never know when you’ll get locked out because ms might suddenly not provide updates to unsupported systems.
ps…. time travelling?
written. Jan 15, 2023
Updated • Jan 13, 2023
This happens when you schedule a post in WordPress and update it before setting the publication date.
Anyone willing to downgrade to this awful OS must like inflicting themselves with harm.
I have become convinced now that anybody who has no qualms with using Windows 11/10 must fit into one of the following brackets:
1) Too young to remember a time before W10 and W11 (doesn’t know better)
2) Wants to play the latest games on their PC above anything else (or deeply needs some software which already dropped W7 support)
3) Doesn’t know too much about how computers work, worried that they’d be absolutely lost and in trouble without the “”latest security””
4) Microsoft apologist that tries to justify that the latest “features” and “changes” are actually a good thing, that improve Windows
5) Uses their computer to do a bare minimum of like 3 different things, browse web, check emails, etc, so really doesn’t fuss
Obviously that doesn’t cover everyone, there’s also the category that:
6) Actually liked W7 more than 10, and held out as long as possible before switching, begrudgingly uses 10 now
Have I missed any group off this list?
You have missed in this group just about any professional user that uses business software like CAD programs or ERP Programs which are 99% of all professional users from this list.
Linux doesn’t help anyone who is not a linux kid and apple is just a fancy facebook machine.
Microsoft has removed KB5029351 update
only from windows update though
KB5029351 is still available from the ms update catalog site
1. This update is labaled as PREVIEW if it causes issues to unintelligent people, then they shouldn’t have allowed Preview updates ot install.
2. I have installed it in a 11 years old computer, and no problems at all.
3. Making a big drama over a bluescreen for an updated labeled as preview is ridiculous.
This is probably another BS internet drama where people ran programs and scripts that modified the registry until they broke Windows, just for removing stuff that they weren’t even using just for the sake of it.
Maybe people should stop playing geeks and actually either use Windows 10 or Windows 11, but don’t try to modify things just for the sake of it.
Sometimes removing or stopping things (like defender is a perfect example) only need intelligence, not scripts or 3rd party programs that might mess with windows.
Windows 11 was a pointless release, it was just created because some of the Windows team wanted to boost sales with some sort of new and improved Windows 10. Instead, Microsoft cannot support one version well let alone two.
Windows 11 is the worst ugly shame by Microsoft ever. They should release with every new W11 version a complete free version of Starallback inside just to make this sh** OS functionally again.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released a statement regarding the “unsupported processor” blue screen error for their boards using Intel 600/700 series chipsets & to avoid the KB5029351 Win11 update:
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/MSI-On–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–Error-Message-of-Windows-11-Update-KB5029351-Preview-142215
check out the following recent articles:
Neowin – Microsoft puts little blame on its Windows update after UNSUPPORTED PROCESSOR BSOD bug:
https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-puts-little-blame-on-its-windows-update-after-unsupported-processor-bsod-bug/
BleepingComputer – Microsoft blames ‘unsupported processor’ blue screens on OEM vendors:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-blames-unsupported-processor-blue-screens-on-oem-vendors/
While there may be changes or updates to the Windows 10 Store for Business and Education in the future, it is premature to conclude that it will be discontinued based solely on rumors.
My advice, I left win 15 years ago. Now I’m a happy linux user (linuxmint) but there is Centos, Fedora, Ubuntu depending on your needs.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released new BIOS/firmware updates for their Intel 600 & 700 series motherboards to fix the “UNSUPPORTED_PROCESSOR” problem (Sept. 6):
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/Updated-BIOS-fixes-Error-Message–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–caused-BSOD-on-MSI-s-Intel-700-and-600-Series-Motherboards-142277