I am trying to change the theme of my machine but I cannot figure it out.

The following link is the theme I want if someone can walk me through the steps of how to go about making this work!


:: Striped VS Vista Port :: by ~sweatyfish on deviantART (http://sweatyfish.deviantart.com/art/Striped-VS-Vista-Port-111672941)

I cannot figure out what to do!

Thanks in Advance

Rick

I think it's the same as in Windows XP:

Right-click on the desktop. Select "Properties"
Selec the "Themes" tab and select a theme from those in the drop-down list.

You can also download themes from the Internet.

Yes I know this! THe theme I want is not a regular theme. It's off the internet and it's a lot harder then simply changing it in the desktop properties. I know I have to path the uxtheme.dll, hvsvc.dll, themeux.dll files, after renaming them and yada yada yada...

I apologize but your info was juvenile!! 1 Thanks anyway though!

Actually, if you look at the drop-down list, one of the items is "browse". That's how you find the theme file and how you install it

Yadda yadda yadda

Maybe it was juvenile but it was right. This is, after all, the "Computers for Beginners" forum.

Apology accepted.

Guide to Windows Vista Multilingual User Interface (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721887.aspx)

Neowin Forums > FAQ: Using msstyles for Windows XP (http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t339820.html)

You need to patch uxthemes.dll file before you can use other themes than what came with windows

What version of windows do you have and I will post link for the patcher you would need

Let me know if you are using vista, here is for XP

Download UXtheme.dll Patch For Windows XP SP3
Download UXtheme.dll For Windows XP SP3 (http://www.sizzledcore.com/2008/05/20/download-uxthemedll-patch-for-windows-xp-sp3/)

Windows XP sp2
Download UXTheme Patch For Windows XP SP2 Final - Now you can use any theme for Windows XP with SP2 Build 2180 - Softpedia (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Themes/UXTheme-Patch-For-Windows-XP-SP2-Final.shtml)

-Now with themes you downloaded
Copy and move themes to in
C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes

-Reboot Computer and then go to your Display settings and change your theme to New one


For Vista:

*Download and instructions in link below

Download UxTheme Patcher for Windows Vista - A patched uxtheme.dll gave you the freedom to use un-signed custom visual style - Softpedia (http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/UxTheme-Patcher-for-Windows-Vista.shtml)

Thanks for the info seahawk. I am actually using Vista.

I don't know how to path, I did have Vista Glazz. I am nit sure if it worked though. I renamed th three dll files .old and downloaded the updaded dll. Files of the net.

If you could recommend a good patch app. Like I said I have Vista Glazz but I think it's a bogus app.

Perito, I put this thread in this category because there isn't a theme category and desktop is too narrow I wanted to keep it broad so as to attract even the simple minded opinions.

Thanks for replying though I do appreciate that!

Not sure about glazz, but vista is same path as XP -
C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes

Search for that folder first to see if it is there or not

If so, take a look how it is setup and add downloaded themes to that folder

If it is not, Create the folder

Ok, here is what I've done so far.

1. I have taken ownership of the three Window Theme files (shsvcs.dll, uxtheme.dll and themeui.dll)

2. After taking ownership you must verify you have full control on the account you're attempting to use the new themse on. If not then enable full control.

3. After taking ownership and verifying full control you must download a patched uxtheme.dll, themeui.dll and shsvcs.dll and keep them somewhere handy so you remember where there at for later usage.

4. After downlaoding the new .dll files (which will be .zip) you need to rename the current .dll's (which will be [for vista n e ways] c:\windows\system32) you must rename themeui.dll you themeui.old and uxtheme.dll tou uxtheme.old and finally shsvcs.dll to shsvcs.old.

5. After renaming the existing dll files you can then copy the three dll you downloaded off the internet into the c:/windows/system32 folder.

6. Reboot(this is a must I am told)

This is were I am right now and I am not sure what to do after this? Can I just copy the themes I download into the c"/windows/resources/themes??
HELPPPPPPP MMMEEEE

Thanks

Rick

As far as any sites that I have looked into this for, yes. I have looked for this in the past also, so it is not just for this particular question

If not sure about the structure of c"/windows/resources/themes if iti s not there already, take a look at an XP machine and follow the folder structure as shown there - same structure as Vista

And of course for vista, after that, right click desktop and go to themes

Every time I download a theme off the intrnet it downloads it into an mssstyle format. When I put this into the theme flder and then go into my desktop properties/themes he msstyle format is not recognized as a theme?

I guess my next question is what happens after I download a msstyle theme?

Seahawk thanks for the info, it's greatly appreciated!

Go to c:/windows/resources/themes folder
-Now you should see some themes already there
-Click on the first theme you see there
-In vista, click on Aero - you will see a msstyles file there

A long time ago when trying to download a theme, I cam across the same thing you are gettting now, just an msstyles file and nothing else - That is not enough, you need to see if you can get themes from another source
-As you see there are other folders under Aero, you need to have a Shell folder - this is the folder for the theme itself and has a .dll file there that the msstyles file needs

I would be better if you have access to a XP machine and checkout it's resources folder and subfolders to see what other files/folders needed to change the 'whole' theme

You will get better idea of what file/folder structure you are looking for - just the msstyles file is not enough

Hope this makes sense and should one you look at the other themes that are already in reosurces folder

I looked at the theme folder in Vita and there was a Shell Folder for Aero which hincludd some dll's and there was an msstyle for Aero.

I guess th eonly thing to find out is where to find a complete theme download not just the msstyle

Thanks

Here is a couple
Vista Themes - Free Windows Vista Themes (http://www.myvistathemes.com/)

VistaStyles.org - Vista Themes, Styles, Vista Skins, Vista Icons, Wallpapers, Vista Styler Toolbar, Vista WindowBlinds XP Themes, Vista Ultimate Themes, MSStyles, Aero Glass, LogonXP, Vista XP Customization, Gadgets (http://vistastyles.org/)


-

I have downloaded a bunch and copied them into the destination folder of c:/windows/resources/themes

Everything is the same accept there is no theme file in any of the downloads

Post the link and which one you downloaded

What kind of theme are you looking for, if you have link with one insterested in, let me know and I'll see if I can get you one with all you need and post it for you tomorrow

Ok, I figured it out. I downloaded a bunch. The ones made by a Vista machine will include the theme file. These I can use. The ones made for Xp includes an msstyle file not a theme file. I have to download an application to convert an msstyle file to a Windows Theme file. I can either do this or just download strictly Vista themes which come with the right file.


As far as the themes go, I like the darker look. But I like a different look. The start menu on the bottom left and the informational toolbar on the right is blah so... if you could point me in the right direction that would be greatly appreciated.

Are you running vista or xp?

I could not find one similar to the link you posted in your original question

Are you looking for a vista black theme?

Make sure you have a bootdisk if you change your logon screen, in case something goes wrong.

Cog: Yeah. I am not going to go that in depth. I would like to change that but I am not to worried about it.

Seahwk83:As far as the Windows Vista goes I can make it look like it's all dark. I like the way I have it right now, but I just wanted a little change. I did figure it out though. If you downlaod skinstudio and vistablinds then you can convert a msstyle file into a theme file. Making XP themes work for Vista as well. There is a lot to changing you themes. The three dll files I've mentioned earlier are just the basic dll's you can change. You can also change the forward and back icons, logon etc...
It gets intense.

I thank you all for adding your advice to this situation. If you have any Q's let me know!

Thanks Again

Rick