Vize 2.0 Release 1 for Windows

by XPero

Avg. Rating 4.2 (77 votes)

File Details

File Size 9.5 MB
License Freeware
Operating System Windows Server 2008/Vista
Date Added
Total Downloads 4,092
Publisher XPero
Homepage Vize

Publisher's Description

Vize is a GUI enhancer for Windows Vista. It replaces most of the non-Vista icons, animations and bitmaps that Microsoft is still overlooking. It automates the process of replacing resources in system files, applying the real fit and finish to Windows Vista. The patching process will not disable Vista's built-in security features. Vize will automatically restore all files and folder permissions, making your Vista experience nicer without sacrificing security. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can completely uninstall Vize.

Latest Reviews

mfaccone

mfaccone reviewed v1.1 Beta on Jan 6, 2008

robmanic44 said "It will wipe Stardock desktops from your system."
That may be the only benefit I could possibly see about this program.
I tried this on a standard vista install and it was ok... nothing really outstanding with it. But since I have Vista SP1 RC1 on my computer now I won't install it.

robmanic44

robmanic44 reviewed v1.1 Beta on Jan 5, 2008

Don't use this if you are using Stardock. It will wipe Stardock desktops from your system.

Neoprimal

Neoprimal reviewed v1.1 Beta on Jan 4, 2008

The program isn't dangerous, but it destabilizes systems for sure...not by itself, but in contact with certain other applications. I'll explain - I used to use XPize religiously. At one point I had a virus scare (false positive) and ran one of those Symantec Check and Remove files from their site - after that was run, many hidden files showed up (mostly .ini) and couldn't be hidden again. I deleted a few (desktop.ini) since I knew XP would just recreate them....and that worked. Anyhow, checking hidden in the boxes didn't work for the exposed files, neither did flipping the show hidden, hide system files in the options. In addition to this, I could no longer run apps from the run menu or under command, I'd have to type out their paths fully under command. This was the truly annoying effect.

After extensively narrowing down the files on my home machines I realized it was XPize, as 2 machines in my home are identical apart from XPize and Winamp which run only on my PC.

I ran the symantec utility on other machines and it didn't do the same thing. To make this 100% for myself, I simulated my XP install in VirtualBox and recreated the issue, since then I have not messed around with programs that patch system files. The problem isn't necessarily XPize or Vize, it's other software that use specific methods to uproot viruses/malware.

khancicek

khancicek reviewed v1.0 on Dec 18, 2007

atleast i can install it but what is difference ??
i cant see any changes ?

rustik_one

rustik_one reviewed v0.8 Beta on Nov 28, 2007

So long as nothing goes wrong during/after the install, and resources within *.exe & *.dll files are replaced and not the files themselves, I suppose it could be cool - I've used the XP product XPize with no trouble. I've also manually done that with several of my own system files with ResHacker to make my Vista wanna-be theme on XP a bit more complete, with no ill effects. Windows Update will occasionally replace an edited file when said file is part of an update, making it necessary to re-apply changes from time to time.

If, however, such editing changes file size and checksum values of the system file(s), I can also see it given users problems.

NOT recommended for someone who doesn't know how backup and undo what may go wrong!

Tool_XP

Tool_XP reviewed v0.7 Beta on Nov 28, 2007

This is an excellent way to destabilize your system.

Avoid like the plague!

Ryusennin

Ryusennin reviewed v0.5 Beta on Oct 2, 2007

Again, it does *not* replace system files. It replaces the *graphic resources* embedded in them. The files themselves are left untouched and perfectly functional.

Prospero424

Prospero424 reviewed v0.5 Beta on Oct 2, 2007

It looks kinda pretty, but replacing such interdependent components seems like a REAL gamble if long-term stability is a major concern.

Be very, very careful about stuff like this. Replacing Windows system files with "newer versions" that Microsoft has supposedly "overlooked" can lead to version conflict hell. To me, it's just not worth it.

But it is free...

khancicek

khancicek reviewed v0.4 Beta on Sep 25, 2007

i got error when tried to pach files. (.net framework error)

darthbeads

darthbeads reviewed v0.4 Beta on Sep 24, 2007

Would really like to see a x64 version of this....

Avg. Rating 4.2 (77 votes)
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mfaccone

mfaccone reviewed v1.1 Beta on Jan 6, 2008

robmanic44 said "It will wipe Stardock desktops from your system."
That may be the only benefit I could possibly see about this program.
I tried this on a standard vista install and it was ok... nothing really outstanding with it. But since I have Vista SP1 RC1 on my computer now I won't install it.

robmanic44

robmanic44 reviewed v1.1 Beta on Jan 5, 2008

Don't use this if you are using Stardock. It will wipe Stardock desktops from your system.

Neoprimal

Neoprimal reviewed v1.1 Beta on Jan 4, 2008

The program isn't dangerous, but it destabilizes systems for sure...not by itself, but in contact with certain other applications. I'll explain - I used to use XPize religiously. At one point I had a virus scare (false positive) and ran one of those Symantec Check and Remove files from their site - after that was run, many hidden files showed up (mostly .ini) and couldn't be hidden again. I deleted a few (desktop.ini) since I knew XP would just recreate them....and that worked. Anyhow, checking hidden in the boxes didn't work for the exposed files, neither did flipping the show hidden, hide system files in the options. In addition to this, I could no longer run apps from the run menu or under command, I'd have to type out their paths fully under command. This was the truly annoying effect.

After extensively narrowing down the files on my home machines I realized it was XPize, as 2 machines in my home are identical apart from XPize and Winamp which run only on my PC.

I ran the symantec utility on other machines and it didn't do the same thing. To make this 100% for myself, I simulated my XP install in VirtualBox and recreated the issue, since then I have not messed around with programs that patch system files. The problem isn't necessarily XPize or Vize, it's other software that use specific methods to uproot viruses/malware.

khancicek

khancicek reviewed v1.0 on Dec 18, 2007

atleast i can install it but what is difference ??
i cant see any changes ?

rustik_one

rustik_one reviewed v0.8 Beta on Nov 28, 2007

So long as nothing goes wrong during/after the install, and resources within *.exe & *.dll files are replaced and not the files themselves, I suppose it could be cool - I've used the XP product XPize with no trouble. I've also manually done that with several of my own system files with ResHacker to make my Vista wanna-be theme on XP a bit more complete, with no ill effects. Windows Update will occasionally replace an edited file when said file is part of an update, making it necessary to re-apply changes from time to time.

If, however, such editing changes file size and checksum values of the system file(s), I can also see it given users problems.

NOT recommended for someone who doesn't know how backup and undo what may go wrong!

Tool_XP

Tool_XP reviewed v0.7 Beta on Nov 28, 2007

This is an excellent way to destabilize your system.

Avoid like the plague!

Ryusennin

Ryusennin reviewed v0.5 Beta on Oct 2, 2007

Again, it does *not* replace system files. It replaces the *graphic resources* embedded in them. The files themselves are left untouched and perfectly functional.

Prospero424

Prospero424 reviewed v0.5 Beta on Oct 2, 2007

It looks kinda pretty, but replacing such interdependent components seems like a REAL gamble if long-term stability is a major concern.

Be very, very careful about stuff like this. Replacing Windows system files with "newer versions" that Microsoft has supposedly "overlooked" can lead to version conflict hell. To me, it's just not worth it.

But it is free...

khancicek

khancicek reviewed v0.4 Beta on Sep 25, 2007

i got error when tried to pach files. (.net framework error)

darthbeads

darthbeads reviewed v0.4 Beta on Sep 24, 2007

Would really like to see a x64 version of this....

horsecharles

horsecharles reviewed v0.2 Beta on Sep 19, 2007

It's not just icons.... and 15mb for a 15 gb monster os is not out of line as compared to xp @ a bit under 4gb....

smarterthanyou

smarterthanyou reviewed v0.2 Beta on Sep 15, 2007

I don't see any significant UI enhancements. It looks like Vista already includes most of the UI improvements found in XPize for Windows XP.

dhry

dhry reviewed v0.2 Beta on Sep 14, 2007

Um, like Vista needs it's GUI enhanced. At 15Mb, I'll pass thanks.

mfaccone

mfaccone reviewed v0.2 Beta on Sep 13, 2007

Came up with a few errors while trying to restore the system files. Took a couple reboots and running the restore feature several times to fix.
Now that it is off... a big sigh of relief that it didn't hurt anything.

kronix2

kronix2 reviewed v0.2 Beta on Sep 13, 2007

XPize is one of the first things I install on a new XP installation. Hopefully Vize will become as essential, but it'll be a while before this is as mature as XPize.

The program UI is much improved, and the few changes Vise makes at this stage help to correct what Microsoft overlooked.

Ryusennin

Ryusennin reviewed v0.2 Beta on Sep 13, 2007

@ JeremyMoron

XPize replaces the obsolete graphic resources in many system files left over in XP since Win95. Vize does the same for Vista, nothing more, nothing less.

terminalx

terminalx reviewed v0.2 Beta on Sep 13, 2007

Well it installed with no problems, but I don't see any noticeable changes like with xpize.

lucianct

lucianct reviewed v0.2 Beta on Sep 13, 2007

i use XPize and i like it very much. But i don't think i'll use Vize at this moment because i'm contended with the Vista UI. it would be nice to see os tweaks included!

ogman

ogman reviewed v0.2 Beta on Sep 13, 2007

Found some more info:

http://www.msfn.org/boar...ex.php?showtopic=101955

And, the same person made this:

http://www.xpize.net/?page=about

JeremyGNJ

JeremyGNJ reviewed v0.2 Beta on Sep 13, 2007

huh????

WHy would beta news post this software. It does not AT ALL describe what it does. Just that it "patches a lot of system files"

Scary stuff. Even the maker's website doesnt explain anything. I'm not trying it!

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