Windows to Mac Customization.pdf - Google Drive

[Last updated on 22nd April, 2014.]

Hello people! In this tutorial, I will teach you how to make Windows 8 look EXACTLY like Mac OS X Mountain Lion. I agree that there are many installers and programs other tutorials show, but trust me, they aren't even close.

Please keep in mind that this tutorial will only make it LOOK like Mac, not work like it.

The minimum requirements for this transformation tutorial are: -Windows 8 -Intel Core 2 Duo or comparable processor -2GB RAM -512MB Integrated Graphics -Mouse or trackpad with keyboard -256kbps Internet Connection -Knowledge on how to operate and customize the settings of a computer to basic levels

The recommended requirements for this transformation tutorial are: -Genuine Window 8 Pro -Intel Core i3 processor or comparable -4GB RAM -1.5GB Integrated Graphics -Mouse or trackpad with keyboard -2mbps Internet Connection -Knowledge on how to operate and customize the settings of a computer to basic levels

Here's the list of programs you'll need for this (you can download them from the net by simply searching, but I’ve provided links for most) -ObjectBar with OS X skin -ObjectDock Plus 2 with Mountain Lion Skin, and trust me, don't even TRY RocketDock. It sucks. -Stack Docklet for RocketDock (it works on ObjectDock)

-Fences -Mac OS X Mountain Lion Cursors (get from anywhere on the net) -Mac OS X Icons (get from anywhere on the net) -iCal Docklet for ObjectDock (available online) -Address Book for PC (available online) -System Preferences Dummy (Google it) -WindowBlinds 8 with Mac OS X Mountain Lion Skin (provided) -OS X Backgrounds (provided) -XLaunchPad (available from maker) -XWidget (provided) -NimiVisuals (available from maker) -iTunes (Apple’s website) -Switcher (available from xpmac) -MacSwitch (not necessary)

Please be a nerd and check these programs out on the net before you install them. I would suggest that you don't take the latest free build as they're all trials. Check FileHippo for older builds. As for me, I’m using cracked softwares, which is pretty good, too. So you can either use cracks, or old free builds. Here's the link of the website I used to get the most convincing softwareswww.xpmac.blogspot.com

Just keep in mind that his tutorial is ONLY for Windows 8. If you use this on Windows 7, the ObjectBar will not let you get the Start Menu. Due to the edges being used in Windows 8, getting the Start Menu is easier. You can get ObjectDock Plus through torrents, so no need to panic. Just keep in mind that you keep your computer safe from viruses, as I will take no responsibility if anything happens to your machine.

How to activate Genie Effect in ObjectDockGo to Dock Settings>On my dock>Show running applications on my dock>Choose show running applications>Choose show minimized windows>Go back to Taskbar options>Choose minimize windows to the dock

To change add an icon on the dock, just drag the program in. To change its icon, Right click on the program>Settings>Edit this icon>Change icon>Browse the icon you want> You can even change the text.

To add docklets to the dock: -Go into Windows Explorer -Locate the folder of the docklet, say, StackDocklet -Cut it -Go into your Windows Disk, Local Disk(C:\) for me, go into Program Files(x86), locate Stardock -Open ObjectDock Plus 2, go into Docklets, paste the folder you had cut before -Now run ObjectDock -Right click on the dock>Settings>Add>Docklets>Stack -Configure Stack -Done. In a similar way, you can add the iCal Docklet too. Just give it the link from where to run iCal as a program.

Here's a list of all the icons on the stock dock on Mac and their names. I'm giving you the programs I used, too. -Finder=Explorer -Launchpad=XLaunchpad -Mission Control=Switcher -Mail=MS Office 2013 Outlook -Safari=Safari -Contacts=Address Book (go to the website I gave you for this one) -Calendar=iCal (go to the website) -Reminders=MS Office 2013 OneNote -Notes=Notepad -GarageBand=Guitar Rig 5

-Game Center=Origin by EA -FaceTime=Skype -Messages=https://www.facebook.com/messages -iPhoto=Picasa -Aperture (Extra)=Photoshop CS5 -Photo Booth=Windows Live Photo Gallery -iTunes=iTunes or any other media player -App Store=BitTorrent -System Preferences=System Preferences Dummy (go to website) -Trash=Recycle Bin

You can mess around with the dock size and skins, but with all these icons, the ideal size is 50px tall. You should just search for the Mountain Lion skin for ObjectDock on Google.

To add the skin to the dock, -Copy the skin folder from the main directory -Local Disk>Program Files (x86)>Stardock>ObjectDock Plus 2>Backgrounds>Zoomers -Paste the folder here -Go into the dock settings>Style/Color>Change Background -Choose the real one, it would be called "Silver Fox" -Apply it -More options>Running indicators>Choose running indicator -Do not change it -Ideal distance from edge is -16px

Giving the Mac look to the Dock: -Dock settings -Position>More options>Reserve edge of screen -Go back

-Effect>None -Go back -Accessibility>Always on top, never hide -Now look up at the two tabs saying Home and Settings -Go into Settings -Hide the Windows Taskbar -Go into Performance Options -Image quality>Top -Zoom in/Zoom out/Auto-hide speed>Extra gradual -Optimize for performance -Go back -Check "Show indicator under running programs", if it's not already checked. -Label font: Myriad Pro (download from the net if not installed), 11px -Attention Effect: Bounce -Under Advanced Tweaks, everything except the second and the last should be checked

All this work should set up the dock.

Now for the Desktop.

Let's start by applying the main theme for the windows. -Install and patch WindowBlinds 8. If you’re not able to find it, here’s the link https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bz-4A7TSgzCbZktFLS1qS1B5Zmc&usp=sharing -In the patcher, after patching the thing, save the license or it wouldn't work. -Get the most convincing theme of Mac OS X Mountain Lion for WindowBlinds 8 from Google. Here’s the one I’m using - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz-4A7TSgzCbLVlCNGhqOHdoelk/edit?usp=sharing -Apply it -Restart your computer -Don't mess around with this theme

Now that you've applied the theme, let's go over to the FinderBar.

-Install ObjectBar. Most of the results on Google are giving a pretty old build, which is fine for us, as they give a keygen which actually works. Use the keygen and install it. -Download my link - https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bz4A7TSgzCbVUZCQldfTkR0RUk&usp=sharing -DO NOT RUN ON STARTUP -No need to restart the computer yet, just don't run it -Go to Google and search for Mountain Lion Skin for ObjectBar -If you’re not able to find the theme, here’s a link https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bz-4A7TSgzCba29qXzRFLXhEYUU&usp=sharing -Download the skin -Just copy the folder to Program Files (x86)>Object Desktop>ObjectBar -Just run your installed ObjectBar and choose the Lion 10.7 skin -Your FinderBar is now set

For the overall desktop now, -Install Fences -After the install, choose Computer, right click on it, and choose "Exclude from quick hide" -Do the same with Network and any one folder -Now make a separate fence for these three in the following order, Computer, Network and Folder -Do not name this fence -Align this fence carefully to the right edge of the screen just like a Mac's -Double click in an empty place -Now you can only see these three icons -Rename Computer to Macintosh HD -Go into the fences settings -Go into Appearance and make fences totally transparent -Close the settings -Right click on the desktop and go into Personalize -Change desktop icons -Only select Computer and Network -For computer, change the icon to the Main Hard Disk

-For Network, change icon to Generic Air Disk -Close Personalization -Right click on the folder, go into the Customization tab and change the icon to a Mac Folder icon

This makes the desktop look pretty much it. Just change the desktop background to the stock background for Mac, the galaxy, in simple words. If you’re unable to find the right ones, I’m putting some links to a few folders blow which include the right backrounds per releaseOS X Mountain Lion Retinas - https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bz4A7TSgzCbZHRmT3UzcUlBRHc&usp=sharing

OS X Mavericks Retinas - https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bz4A7TSgzCbdEFQNF9uYWZoWXc&usp=sharing

Good pictures come at no cost. Just save these pictures to your computer in any folder and make a theme or two out of them on shuffle every 3 minutes. That’ll give the exact effect of a Mac. Now for the mouse pointers. -Go onto Google -Search for "Mac OS X Lion Cursors" -Download these cursors -Go into Personalize from the Desktop -Change Mouse Pointers -After applying every single one of them, your computer is almost there. Let's get the Launchpad now. -Download and install the latest build of XLaunchpad. -After installation, open it -Go to its settings -In General, enable full screen mode, max memory mode, allow mouse to drag and drop, and allow auto check for updates -FadeIn animation style can be quick, it doesn't matter that much -In Layout, check Auto Arrange Icons, icon size should be medium, or to be exact, 72 -Numbers from up to down should be 7, 5 and 35 -Margins should be Horz=100 and Top=70 with the Page Indicator Bottom Offset at 30

-In the Activation Tab, Hot key can be anything you want, no hot mouse button, and hot screen should be top right corner -Don not activate when a full screen app is running -In Appearance, check "Show Shortcut Caption", Enable background blur, blur radius should be 2.1 and you should enable scale animation effects when mouse clicks icon -In the "Others" tab, just check the "Show Confirm Dialog" thingy

To get the real Mac feel, do the labelling as I say, all on one single page, with all the icons in the order shown below -Firstly, delete ALL the pages and start from scratch Here's the order -Safari=Safari -Mail=Outlook -Messages=https://www.facebook.com/messages -Contacts=Address Book (the website again) -Calendar=iCal (the website has the links) -Reminders=OneNote -Notes=Notepad -FaceTime=Skype -Photo Booth=Windows Live Photo Gallery -iTunes=iTunes or any other media player -App Store=BitTorrent -Game Center=Origin by EA -QuickTime=VLC Media Player -Preview=MS Paint -Xcode (optional)=CodeBlocks -Other (folder)= +Macintosh HD=Local Disk (C:) +DVD=Local Disk (the one with the dvd drive) +Network=Network +Activity Monitor=Task Manager +Trash=Recycle Bin

-Pages=Word -Numbers=Excel -Keynote=PowerPoint -GarageBand=Guitar Rig 5 -Calculator=Windows Calculator -Dictionary=www.dictionary.com -iWeb=Chrome or other browser -Aperture=Photoshop CS5 -Preferences=Control Panel That's the Launchpad.

Now for you to get the Mission Control as seen on Mac, in simple words, the beautiful way to multi task.

-Download and install Switcher. Link's there on the website provided to you -After installation, run it. A window will come up showing the settings of the program -On the main screen, choose "Dock" and check the "remember" box -Edge of screen to dock is Top -Selection Zoom to be 100%, rest at default -In Windows Style, uncheck label, frame and number -In Shortcuts, make the mouse shortcut a global shortcut when the mouse has moved to the left side of the screen with ctrl pressed -Press OK -Press hide This gives you the main multi-tasking feature.

Now, you must've seen that when you press Alt+Tab, you get this small multi-tasking feature in which there's a small window. In Mac, it's a little bigger than that. To get that, -Download and install MacSwitch. The link's up on the website. -Run the setup

-Run the program after the setup -Done. There are still a few more things you’ll be needing to install to get the exact effect of a Mac on your Windows PC. For example, when you move your windows in a Mac, they move around nicely. To get that and similar effects, do the following. -Go onto Google and type NimiVisuals. -Click on the first link which’ll take you to mynimi.net. -Under the “Downloads” section, click on NimiVisuals. -Follow the instructions and proceed with the download. -When it’s complete, install it. -Go into Program Files in C:\ drive and open the NimiVisuals folder. -Run it. When the program runs, go into your taskbar’s side panel and double-click on the icon. -Choose the Jellify effect. Now try to move the title bar of any open window. -Magic. -You can mess around for more effects, but you’ll need lots of ram and a good video card for that.

You know, there’s that thing called the Dashboard on a Mac, in which you have widgets and that kind of stuff which gives you information, right? Here’s how to get that. -Search for XWidget on Google, or you can get mine - https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bz4A7TSgzCbaGxidHo4RUdXUTQ&usp=sharing -Download and install the program. -Tinker around with the things in the settings window. -Keep the transparency around 25% as it’s the best available. The original has a textured background. -Assign the top left screen edge for activation. -Done.

Now for the last thing, which is actually pretty complicated. Adding the Spotlight Search into your ObjectBar. Right now, it would either be working like a dummy, or it would just be a button. We're gonna add the real thing now. Here's how: -Download MacSearch from the website I've given you -You'll get a zip. Extract it to a folder on your desktop. -After double-clicking, you'll see the folder. Open it.

-Run MacSearch as an administrator. -After running it, close it. It will now be in your taskbar. Don't open it from there. -Close the folder. -Right click on the ObjectBar and choose Properties. -Scroll down until you find Spotlight. Expand it. -Click on the shortcut image. Change the title to "Spotlight". -In the "Behavior" tab, check "Run a program" and then check "File or Web address" -Click on browse, locate the folder with MacSearch, and choose "MacSearch_Trigger", basically the .exe with no icon. -Close the properties. -On your ObjectBar, click on the search button -There, you will get something called MacSearch -Right-click on it and choose "Preferences" -Select all except 8 and 12 -Go into the "Preferences" tab -Select appearance to be blue, program name to be "Spotlight" -Set spotlight menu keyboard shortcut to Ctrl+Space -Close this dialog box -Open Spotlight again by clicking on the search button -Right-click on it and click on "Reload" -The spotlight will now work

Alright. Now that you've done all these things, your computer should be looking pretty much like a real Mac now. Thanks to all those pathetic tutorials that use CustoPacks and shit like that. Don't get into those things. They'll destroy your computer. Now that you're here, you just need to do this thing: -Set your Windows 8 lock screen picture to any Mac logon background

Here’s what your Windows PC will finally end up looking like-

Desktop

Launchpad

Mission Control

Dashboard

Close enough?

I will give you one warning, though. The website I've given you shows that you can get the exact Finder windows like that of Mac with the MacIndexer or something. Don't use that. Don't even install Styler for the bars for the Explorer. Those applications are made for operating systems uptil Windows 7. Due to the new ribbons, Windows 8 cannot support them fully.

Another warning. Don not go full screen in Windows Explorer or Paint. They will lose the close and maximize/minimize buttons because of the Ribbons. You'll have to quit ObjectBar, open Explorer and paint, go back to the small windows, and then open ObjectBar all over again. Too much bullcrap.

Yet another problem. DO NOT INSTALL A THIRD PARTY BOOT SCREEN OR LOCKSCREEN ON WINDOWS 8. Those screens are only supported uptil Windows 7 and there is no guarantee that they will keep your Windows 8 PC alright.

Special thanks to Aaryan Budhiraja for helping me combine all these programs.