Let's be realistic: Windows 7 is pretty much going to be like Windows Vista with a fresh coat of UI paint and a few needed bug fixes. Granted, some of the new interface tweaks are pretty slick, which is why software developers have already started cranking out copycat tweaks for Windows Vista (and, in some cases, XP). If you don't feel like waiting until the end of 2009, you can trick out your current version of Windows to look and act much like Microsoft's lucky 7.
(Note: Some of the homebrew utilities mentioned below are unsupported and/or still in their beta-testing stage. I've used them all successfully, but proceed at your own risk.)
User Account Control
The Taskbar
Windows 7 has drawn raves for its overhauled taskbar, which sports big, inviting icons and lets you "pin" frequently used applications and documents. Well, guess what: You can get an almost identical taskbar in Vista with just a few clicks.
Finally, make the icons larger and more 7-ish by right-clicking the taskbar a third time and choosing View, Large Icons. (Make sure to click in an open area, not directly on an icon.) To add programs, folders, or even documents to your new and improved taskbar, just drag and drop 'em.
You can take one last, optional, step: When you mouse over a taskbar icon in Windows 7, it produces a pop-up thumbnail preview of the corresponding program (if that app is running, that is). To get the same effect in Vista, install EnhanceMyVista Free, click Customization, Taskbar, and then enable Iconize your Taskbar.
The Taskbar, Part 2
1. Click Start, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Find and click the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics value.
3. In the right pane, right-click in an open space and choose New, String Value.
4. Name the new string MinWidth, and then set the value to -255.
5. Exit the Registry Editor, and restart your system.
Presto! Now you'll have only icons in your taskbar. If you don't like the look after all, return to the Registry and delete the newly created entry.