“XP Style” and “Windows XP theme background”

[d125q]

Can anyone explain to me what exactly the "XP Style" option in the button bar and the "Windows XP theme background" in Options -> Layout do? The help file isn't very helpful.

Should I have them on or off? I'm running a 64-bit TC on a 64-bit Windows 8.1.

Thanks a lot.

[MVV]

It is something visual, perhaps background coloring. If you don't see any difference under W8, just ignore this setting.

[Lefteous]

Microsoft introduced so called visual styles in Windows XP. A visual style defines many parts of the look of programs and the OS itself.

'Windows XP theme background' draws a background color or picture for the buttonbar in TC.
'XP style' is for the buttons in the buttonbar. It defines how the button border looks.

If these settings actually make a difference depends on the currently set visual style. The default styles in Windows XP and Windows Vista/7 definitely change the buttonbar and buttonbar button appearance.

[d125q]

Yep, they do seem to make a tiny difference (a pleasant one), so I guess I'll keep them turned on. Thanks a lot!