Like Coke? Like Windows 7? Your life's about to get a whole lot better

LONDON - Coca-Cola, Ducati and Twentieth Century Fox are among the first companies to create branded versions of the new Windows 7 operating system, in a deal with Microsoft Advertising.

Microsoft is allowing you to 'brand' Windows 7
Microsoft is allowing you to 'brand' Windows 7

The brands have created what Microsoft Advertising is calling - skins for the Windows 7 operating system to be downloaded by consumers who are big fans of a brand.

The branding appears on the user's desktop as well as in Internet Explorer 8 add-ons, web-connected gadgets, backgrounds, borders and audio elements.

Along with Coke and Ducati, the branded themes available so far include 7UP, Ferrari and Porsche. There are also seven different Microsoft themes; two for the Microsoft Xbox game 'Gears of War'; three for the Microsoft MP3 player Zune; and one for fans of the Microsoft search engine Bing.

These are part of a pilot programme that runs until October next year, Microsoft revealed today.

At the same time it has launched a personalisation gallery that lets Windows 7 users choose their own backgrounds, borders and audio elements from a gallery.

Darren Huston, corporate vice-president of consumer and online at Microsoft, said: "The new Windows Theme Experience and Windows Personalisation Gallery in Windows 7 allow consumers to customise their technology to reflect the things in life they are most passionate about."

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