I am typing this on a Windows 2008 Server install on my laptop, and I have disabled all the UI enhancements I can, running Windows Classic theme, and disable all cleartype/ Aliased fonts. I am running XP and Vista in Vms. Likewise have Classic UI on both and all font aliasing disabled Going to be trialling Win7 and my in Vm for it, I have just finished setting up with Classic UI and Aliasing turned off. At least I can use the machines for more than 1/2 an hour and not get a headache now. All i need to do now is replce the god awful alisaed fonts and I will be happy Anyone know how to revert start menu in 7 back to classic mode? Any one know how to get Windows explorer back to WinXP classic mode?

Here Here At last someone that thinks like I do First Thing I do on any machine is to set the OS them to "Windows Classic" and disable themes Just doing this alone makes Vista usable Windows 200 was the cleanest interface yet from MS. I also do the Ubuntu turn of Compiz as well for the same reason you mention Ken

It worked for me Firefox on Ubuntu 7.1 Slow as crap but at least worked