About the Windows XP Design

The new look of Windows XP is designed to create a friendly and visually simpler user experience.

There are four key adjectives that describe the Windows XP look and feel: fresh, desirable, colorful, and simple.

Fresh

Rich color, soft curves and subtle gradients breathe life into Windows. High quality graphics and new icons add sophistication and personality. Windows has been completely revamped to make your computer experience more enjoyable.

Desirable

Texture and light give the interface a more tactile feel. The title bar and taskbar have a soft plastic feel and colorful buttons light up on mouseover to invite you to click on them. Subtle three-dimensional buttons and controls use color and light to provide better feedback. Once you use the Windows XP look and feel, you'll never want to go back to Windows Classic.

Colorful

A rich color palette of blues with accents of green, red and yellow define the default look of Windows XP. Subtle gradients and glows give depth and richness to backgrounds and toolbars. Color is used to improve discoverability and convey meaning of buttons such as the green Start button and red Close button. Say goodbye to Windows grey and say hello to smart, friendly colors.

Simple

The Windows XP look is designed to enhance ease of use. Improved typography and layout provide hierarchy and clarity to help users find tasks. Colored buttons provide visual cues to communicate important system functions. Improvements in visual design and interface design combine to make a simpler Windows.