Themeing your PC without wasting computer resources

[Innes]

Unlike stylexp or windowblinds which takes resources because it is a program itself, UXtheme uses the default theming program on windows xp which doesnt waste resources, heres a tutorial which i learned in 2 minutes;




Basic Questions

Q: What is uxtheme?

A: Uxtheme.dll is the file in Windows XP that controls the theming engine. By default, uxtheme.dll is locked, so third party (i.e. non-Microsoft) visual styles cannot be used. Fortunately, it is easy to unlock uxtheme.dll to allow the use of non-Microsoft visual styles.


Q: How do I use uxtheme.dll?

A: Luckily, hacked uxtheme.dll files are readily available. One need only replace the default, locked uxtheme.dll with the hacked, unlocked version.


Q: How do I replace uxtheme.dll?

A: This is very easy to do.

1. Download the unlocked uxtheme.dll. Extract the file to the desktop. Here is a version for sp2 2180 English: http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?a ? ;id=122794

More are here: http://www.extended64.com/blogs/rafael/
2. Download Replacer. Extract Replacer to the desktop (create a folder called Replacer and extract the contents of the compressed file).
3. Run replacer.cmd. A black command prompt window should appear.
4. Browse to C:\Windows\system32 and find uxtheme.dll. Drag this file into the command prompt window. Press enter.
5. Drag in the unlocked uxtheme.dll from the desktop into the command prompt window. Press enter.
6. Confirm the replacement and wait for Replacer to finish. Press any key when prompted.
7. Reboot.


Q: How do I use visual styles (msstyles) now?

A: This, again, is very simple.

1. First, download a visual style. The Completed Visual Styles Section and Deviantart are two good places.
2. Extract the visual style to a folder with the same name in the following directory: C:\Windows\Resources\Themes. For example, if the msstyles file is xyz.msstyles, create a folder called

[DayC]

I think Anthonyyy already posted this tutorial here somewhere, I personally couldn't get it to work for me so I resorted to style XP, I don't really notice a difference.

[Liam]

Nice one Innes

[Innes]

your welcome liam.

DayC - what was your problem like? have you tryed looking at the trouble shooting bit;


Troubleshooting

Q: My uxtheme did not patch! What do I do?

A: Now hold on there. How do you know it failed? The easiest way to check to see if uxtheme.dll was patched is to simply double-click the msstyles file of a third party theme. If double-clicking loads the display properties dialog with the correct visual style, then the patching process was successful. If not, re-patching is necessary. You can try to re-patch in safe mode and make sure the themes service is set to automatic. To make sure it is set to automatic, go to Run > services.msc > and set Themes service to automatic.

Also, you should do a search for uxtheme.dll and delete all instances of the file NOT in C:\Windows\system32. Extra uxtheme.dll files can conflict and cause problems. Deleting them will solve almost every issue regarding patching.


Q: Uxtheme was patched successfully, but visual styles do not appear in the Appearance tab dropdown list. What do I do?

A: This is a common problem, but one that deserves more attention than it is currently given. The problem is caused by a misnamed visual style folder. For the style to appear in the list, the folder name in which it is residing must correspond to the name of the msstyles file. For instance, gloss.msstyles must be in its visual style folder named ?€œgloss?€? in the correct directory (C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes) and it will appear. The correct path for the file itself should then be:

C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\gloss\gloss.msstyles

And equivalently, the shell folder should be in the same ?€œgloss?€? folder: C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\gloss\shell.


Q: I patched, but my start menu and taskbar are not skinned or visual styles do not work. What is wrong?

A: First, check to make sure the correct version of the dll is being used. Also try patching in safe mode. Then check the directories to see if uxtheme.dll has been misplaced. It should only appear in the system32 folder, and not in the Windows folder. If all else fails, try replacing uxtheme.dll with Replacer in safe mode several times. Some have indicated that this fixes their problem.


Q: My system freezes during "Please wait..." when I try to apply a visual style. What's wrong?

A: This is most likely caused by extra uxtheme.dll files. Do a search for all uxtheme.dll files and delete the ones that are not in C:\Windows\system32.



hope this helps ;)

[Mazzy]

you seem to like makeing these threads, do you type these out yourself? or is this just good to know info that you have picked up on your travals?

[DayC]

Q: I patched, but my start menu and taskbar are not skinned or visual styles do not work. What is wrong?

A: First, check to make sure the correct version of the dll is being used. Also try patching in safe mode. Then check the directories to see if uxtheme.dll has been misplaced. It should only appear in the system32 folder, and not in the Windows folder. If all else fails, try replacing uxtheme.dll with Replacer in safe mode several times. Some have indicated that this fixes their problem.

This was what was wrong with mine I tried all that stuff by common sense and it still didn't work.

[Innes]

hmm . well i will think about it - but if you've tryed everything on their it could prove hard

[Pirate Balloon]

you seem to like makeing these threads, do you type these out yourself? or is this just good to know info that you have picked up on your travals?No, it's like a lot of people trying to gain easy respect on forums, just copy and paste :rolleyes:

[Innes]

No, it's like a lot of people trying to gain easy respect on forums, just copy and paste :rolleyes:

lol i odnt type them all out ymself, they are just tuts i found and saved onto word document's throughout the years so i thouhgt i'd share them

[Mazzy]

lol i odnt type them all out ymself, they are just tuts i found and saved onto word document's throughout the years so i thouhgt i'd share them

thats what i thought, and im greatfull for your threads, ive used 2 of them which seems to have worked out nicely.

kudos to you.

even with your low post count, you have gained more respect than others around here, in your short time on here.

[Innes]

glad to hear it mazzy