Make My Mac Look Like Windows

timventura · Jan 13, 2009

Dear Forum:

My workplace recently purchased me one of those aluminum-chassis full-tower workstations; it took a bit of figuring to identify it, but it looks like a pretty good model, with a dual-core 2ghz cpu & 4 gigabytes of memory.

Anyhow, I'm a Windows user and just don't like that OS X Windows GUI. Can you tell me how to get a Windows skin for it so that it handles like Vista? I've already renamed the icons so I can remember them - like "Macintosh HDD" to "My Computer", etc....but I can't figure out how to install a start menu on it.

Also, my Vista computer is pretty good about asking me when applications try to run things without my knowledge - I don't really like all the popups, but at least I know I'm safe. Can I fix my Mac so that it asks me before just running things? I feel nervous that maybe its not secure..

Thanks;

Tim

podraig · Jan 13, 2009

First, its more secure than Windows, and it wont get viruses or trojans.
You cannot change the "skin."
Seems to me that you dont know a good thing when you are on to it, your employer wasted their money on the best OS around!
Of course,if its a new model, you can use it with windows too, depends on whether your workplace will allow you to install it

Alexis · Jan 13, 2009

Either learn how to use OS X (it's not hard) or get your company to get you a Windows machine.

You can't alter to look of OS X to Windows and even if you could it would still *be* OS X.

Unless this thread is a windup?

johnnyluu · Jan 13, 2009

timventura said:
Anyhow, I'm a Windows user and just don't like that OS X Windows GUI.

Get off the machine and let someone who will appreciate it use it.

* I suspect a windup also

Jaygray · Jan 13, 2009

Macs are PCs just like any other brand. Why don't you just reformat the HD and install Windows on it?

Also, the "Are you really, really sure you want to start the application you clicked on?" box in Windows is there to protect you from Windows viruses and other malware. Since OS X is immune to Windows viruses, it is unnecessary to have the OS asking you "Are you sure?" every time you run a program.

cwa107 · Jan 13, 2009

Sounds like you have no need for Mac OS X, it seems odd to me that your employer would have gone to such expense if there wasn't a particular piece of software or facet of the system that you needed OS X specifically for.

The good news is, as Jaygray alluded to, there's no reason you can't just install Vista on it and be done with it. OS X is not really skinnable and certain aspects of the Windows GUI just follow a different paradigm than OS X does. So, if it's going to be a huge problem for you, I'd suggest you check with your IT department about getting Windows installed on it instead. It can be done either via Boot Camp, or you can just blow away the OS X partition altogether and start with a clean install of Vista.

dtx · Jan 13, 2009

sounds like a spoof post to me.

cwa107 · Jan 13, 2009

dtx said:
sounds like a spoof post to me.

I thought the same, but will give the benefit of the doubt.

Discerptor · Jan 13, 2009

This is the closest I've seen to someone pulling it off without just installing Windows:

InterfaceLIFT: Mac OS X Themes (shapeshifter)

dtx · Jan 13, 2009

Discerptor said:
This is the closest I've seen to someone pulling it off without just installing Windows:

InterfaceLIFT: Mac OS X Themes (shapeshifter)

blasphemy!
This thread hurts my soul... lol Angels are crying right now reading this thread.

cwa107 · Jan 13, 2009

dtx said:
blasphemy!
This thread hurts my soul... lol Angels are crying right now reading this thread.

What is it they say? Different strokes for different folks. For some people, Windows is the best fit. More power to them.

bad.heron · Jan 13, 2009

Hahahahaaaa.. hahahahaaa. ah.

Thats a joke right?

scathe · Jan 13, 2009

there rly isn't anything to rply to this

it just hurts to see this

"install a start menu" now that rly throws me off ... no hope for u man!

G3XOI · Jan 13, 2009

Discerptor said:
This is the closest I've seen to someone pulling it off without just installing Windows:

InterfaceLIFT: Mac OS X Themes (shapeshifter)

haha why would someone want to make their Mac so ugly

.

safarisurfer · Jan 13, 2009

Honestly there is no reason to make either os look like each other. all you need to do is understand the differences.

instead of going to control panel you go to system preferences. Instead of clicking start-> shut down you hit apple ->shut down. instead of hitting start-> applications you hit go-> applications

installing and uninstalling is even easier and more organized in osx. just use osx for awhile. its not as difficult to change as it seems

Khris · Jan 13, 2009

safarisurfer said:
instead of hitting start-> applications you hit go-> applications

Or drag your Applications folder and make a Stack out of it........instant (but much more useful) "Start" menu.

Jenifur · Jan 14, 2009

you know.. give it a try. i am new to mac.. and the only thing i don't like.. is the fact that i don't KNOW it. the look of mac though?? wayyy nicer then windows. it looks a lot cleaner. yeah.. you know pc.. but that is probably because you are used to it. give your mac a try.. the way that it is.. and get even just a little used to it before wanting to change your mind. you might just really like it

/hopes that makes sense... it's 12 30 and i'm tired..

shfle · Jan 14, 2009

This is so obviously a wind up, stop wasting your breath replying to trolls!!!!!!

Discerptor · Jan 14, 2009

timventura said:
Dear Forum:

My workplace recently purchased me one of those aluminum-chassis full-tower workstations; it took a bit of figuring to identify it, but it looks like a pretty good model, with a dual-core 2ghz cpu & 4 gigabytes of memory.

Anyhow, I'm a Windows user and just don't like that OS X Windows GUI. Can you tell me how to get a Windows skin for it so that it handles like Vista? I've already renamed the icons so I can remember them - like "Macintosh HDD" to "My Computer", etc....but I can't figure out how to install a start menu on it.

Also, my Vista computer is pretty good about asking me when applications try to run things without my knowledge - I don't really like all the popups, but at least I know I'm safe. Can I fix my Mac so that it asks me before just running things? I feel nervous that maybe its not secure..

Thanks;

Tim

One more thing... if a Start menu is your main concern, there's a trick you can pull off that produces something similar. Drag your Applications folder into your dock (to the right of the divider somewhere). Right-click it and make sure it sorts by name, displays as a folder, and has "View content as" set to "List." Now when you click on the icon for your Applications folder in the Dock, the contents of your applications folder appears right there in a tidy fashion similar to how the Start menu's "All Programs" option does it. System Preferences is already in the Dock, and you can drag your most-used apps right into the Dock yourself. Then, if you go into the Dock section under System Preferences and set it to display your Dock on the left, I'm sure it can feel pretty similar to a start menu.