Themeing windows XP

[Monkey]

I am trying to give my XP a unique look and I have been looking into a lot of XP skins.
I stumbled across windowsblind and SkinStudio ( i think they are the same thing). But, I was wondering if anyone has ever used them and if so how user friendly are they? Also what were your results?

 

[Trotter]

I used WindowBlinds for years. Awesome skinning program, great results. Uses almost no resources especially in light of what it does.

SkinStudio is what you use to make your own WindowBlinds.

 

[Apokalipse]

you could use a uxtheme.dll patcher, and use any .msstyles themes you want using Windows XP's own skinning engine

As an example, my desktop:
http://apokalipse.googlepages.com/desk.jpg (1680x1050, 292kb)
I've also customised more than the themes of my OS though

 

[Yami]

you could use a uxtheme.dll patcher, and use any .msstyles themes you want using Windows XP's own skinning engine

As an example, my desktop:
http://apokalipse.googlepages.com/desk.jpg (1680x1050, 292kb)
I've also customised more than the themes of my OS though

Apok, would mind sending me those settings of yours? I really like the look!

 

[Monkey]

Trotter, I have a couple of questions.
1. Do you just DL and install the WindowBlinds themes or do you have to install WindowBlinds and then make them your self?
2. Does Windowsblinds cost?
3. Do i need WindowBlinds to run a WindowBlinds theme?

Apok,

Your theme looks sweet, but that sounds really complicated.
Is it pretty easy to do?

 

[Apokalipse]

I uploaded the Zune .msstyles theme here:
http://apokalipse.googlepages.com/Zune.rar

To use the .msstyles theme, you just need to replace the uxtheme.dll in C:\Windows\system32
Here's a program that should do it automatically for most builds fo XP:
Download Uxtheme Multi-patcher 6.0 - A patch that will change your uxtheme.dll on Windows XP - Softpedia

and place the folder with the .msstyles theme in the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes folder (you can extract the zune.rar directly there)

 

[synergy]

Thanks Apok. I've never heard of that technique. I've always used Windows Blinds and I didn't really like it that much.

+rep!

 

[Yami]

I uploaded the Zune .msstyles theme here:

Thanks! Looks great.
Blazing fast d/load from your site

 

[Apokalipse]

By using XP's skinning engine, it doesn't use extra resources. And it simplifies things.

It's then just a matter of finding .msstyles themes you like, and putting them in C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\

I've made another .rar file with extra stuff, including icons, sounds, the wallpaper:
http://apokalipse.googlepages.com/Themes.rar (3.85MB)
If you open the Zune + icons.theme, it'll automatically use the sounds and icons which I'm using.

Thanks! Looks great.
Blazing fast d/load from your site

well, it's on Google's servers.

 

[veg1992]

Trotter, I have a couple of questions.
1. Do you just DL and install the WindowBlinds themes or do you have to install WindowBlinds and then make them your self?
2. Does Windowsblinds cost?
3. Do i need WindowBlinds to run a WindowBlinds theme?

Apok,

Your theme looks sweet, but that sounds really complicated.
Is it pretty easy to do?

1. You install WindowsBlinds, and you can eithermake your own themes or download them online (like Deviantart)
2. Yep, its $20
3. Yes