Software
Microsoft's got a hidden Windows XP theme that made it look like a Mac
Microsoft has developed a hidden Windows XP theme that makes the operating system look more like a Mac. A recent Windows XP source code leak exposed Microsoft's early work on the operating system and some unreleased themes that the company developed during its early XP development back in 2000.
One is called "Candy" and includes a style that strongly resembles Apple's Aqua gui, which was first introduced at the Macworld Conference & Expo in 2000. Although the theme is incomplete, the Windows XP Start button and various buttons and UI elements are specifically designed to fit Apple's Aqua.
Microsoft has never published its Aqua theme for Windows XP, though we understand that it was used in the early source code for the OS. Windows developers seem to have used the theme as a placeholder to create a Windows XP theme engine. The theme itself is defined as "Whistler skin with eye candy," and classified as "only for internal use." Whistler was the code name for Windows XP.
Microsoft has famously switched to the blue and green Luna theme for the final version of XP, which many called Fisher Price when the OS was first launched in 2001. The Windows XP theme engine was a big update to the OS, allowing third-party themes and a lot of customizability.
Microsoft was designing Windows XP in the age of heavy competition with Apple over desktop operating systems. Later in the '00s, Apple made fun of Microsoft's banners at its annual developers conference, "Redmond, launch your photocopiers." Apple also ran a Mac ad campaign based on the shortcomings of Windows, and in particular Windows Vista.
During the '90s and' 00s, Windows was highly inspired by the classic Mac OS and later became OS X. Apple also borrowed some of the features of Windows, such as windowing, searching, control panels, and searching files and directories.
A leak is a rare glimpse into the early development of an operating system used by millions of people. We've contacted Microsoft to comment on the unreleased Windows XP theme, and we'll update you accordingly.
