This is my Desktop:

Click To Enlarge

What I have done here is two things. I have Patched my UxTheme.dll file, so as to apply a Windows 7 ’skin’ in Windows XP. This also works with Vista. I have also installed Rainmeter, which provides real time Sys/ weather/ time/ date updates on your desktop. I will provide links and directions for both processes.

Patching the UxTheme.dll File/ Applying Win7 Theme

• Step 1. Download and install SP3 UxTheme.dll Patcher 1.2 Click Here for Download

This is the link for people running Service Pack 3. There are other versions of this program that work with previous service packs.

(Warning: This is a system hack that can make your system unstable. If you dont know what you are doing, maybe you shouldn’t do it? Always Back-up!)

• Step 2. Download and install SevenVG Black Theme Click Here for Download

After Downloading and installing the Win7 theme from the link above, your desktop properties will automatically open and you can select the theme from the drop down menu.

Desktop Real Time Widgets

There are a couple ways of getting updated widgets on your desktop. I have played with a couple of different options and the one I have settled on was Rainmeter.exe. I am using it for two main reasons, 1. ease of use, 2. skins are applied with little to no effort. The effects of skins on Rainmeter can be stunning. I can only imagine what my Desktop would look like on duel 22″ flat screens. Anyway, here is what you will need.

• Step 1. Download and install Rainmeter from Google Code Click Here for Download
  

Here is what the stock looking Rainmeter will look like:

• Step 2. Now you need to find some skins. I will provide the link to the Rainmeter skin I use, as well as two other sits that have skins for download.

Click Here for Dark Rainmeter

You can also find skins at: Lifehacker and deviantART

There are plenty of forums and answers on how to configure Rainmeter. Its pretty easy for the computer savvy, the rest of you will need to search around Google. There is almost no limit to what you can make your Desktop look like with these two system mods.
And if any one was wondering how I changed my system tray icons, I used This. All the icons I used on my Desktop and System Tray I found on deviantART.