Microsoft Shares Windows XP Holiday Packs

To get into the spirit of the holidays, Microsoft has released special "Fun Packs" for Windows XP featuring winter-themed skins, sounds and templates. The three Fun Packs integrate with Windows Media Player 9 Series and Movie Maker 2 betas, along with Internet Explorer 6.

Windows Media Player 9 Series Winter Fun Pack adds new Ginger Man and Ice skins, winter visualizations, and holiday themed Auto Playlists that use the Smart Jukebox feature.

Digital Video with Windows Movie Maker 2 Winter Fun Pack features a collection of wintery sound effects, holiday music, titles, video titles, and cut scenes. The eight holiday tunes include "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night."

Digital Photography, Communications, and Browsing Winter Fun Pack includes templates for turning pictures into customized greeting cards, and a Favorites list for Internet Explorer containing 50 holiday-oriented Web sites.

The Fun Packs and additional winter screensavers may be downloaded from Microsoft's Windows XP Web site. Windows Media Player 9 Series Release Candidate and Movie Maker 2 Beta are required to use their respective Fun Packs.