Making skins without 3rd-party programs

[stuartwood89]

I was just wondering whether anyone could tell me how to make a windows theme (skin) without using third party programs such as WindowBlinds and StyleXP. The skin I'm currently using is the 'zune' theme by Microsoft, and that was applied with just a simple installer, as if you were installing a program.

Could anyone tell me if/how I can find the skin elements for the default windows themes on my PC and also how I can edit them and package it into an .msi or setup file, so that I can apply it onto my PC.

Help much appreciated

P.S. I've heard something about UX files or something, but can't seem to find anything about them.

[Akira]

if you want to change your theme, google for "uxtheme.dll patch"

It won't be that hard to find. Once patched, you can use any msstyles theme you like as long as they are in the x:\windows\Resources\Themes folder.

[stuartwood89]

Ok, I downloaded the patch from SoftPedia and now I need to know how to patch/apply it into windows (the file's just sitting in my downloads folder at the moment).

Sorry to be awkward guys.

[WiLLiSTER]

I don't get how to use that patch. Never could. Why not use something like StyleXp though. Does a lot more than just change the skin.

[sнυи]

Originally Posted by Anti_gilbert

I don't get how to use that patch. Never could. Why not use something like StyleXp though. Does a lot more than just change the skin.

Yeah man, uses meaningless resources!

Most visual styles come foldered (typically labeled the name of the VS) with a folder within it called "shell" and possibly the direct VS file. Just drag that folder into X:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\ and then (how I do it) right-click desktop, properties, and then appearance.

[stuartwood89]

Originally Posted by Anti_gilbert

Why not use something like StyleXp though. Does a lot more than just change the skin.

Yeah, but I don't really want WindowBlinds/StyleXP running in the background all the time. Are you supposed to just replace an existing file within the windows directory with the one I've just downloaded? I've read about auto-patchers but I've also read that most people have problems with them.

[stuartwood89]

Finally I've done it, I have managed to find a really cool zune theme variation which comes in many colours (collect em all, and I have), so how do i go about using themes from sites such as wincustomize etc?

[sнυи]

Originally Posted by Stuart Wood 1989

Finally I've done it, I have managed to find a really cool zune theme variation which comes in many colours (collect em all, and I have), so how do i go about using themes from sites such as wincustomize etc?

Took you a month to get it? Sheesh. Anyways, it really depends on what the skin is for you're looking at on Wincustomize. When I used to use WindowBlinds, I went only to Wincustomize, and I don't recall that site having any visual styles for the UXTheme.dll patch. If they haven't changed the site much (I'm too lazy to check right now), the side sections should be titled after the program the skin is for...

[WiLLiSTER]

Can't you use msstyles with the uxtheme patch?

[stuartwood89]

Yeah, I download the file, but it comes as '.wba' or something, so I download it as a zipped folder. I've tried looking for the actual theme file amongst all of the little graphics and configuration documents, but I cannot find it. I've tried right-clicking on the desktop and clicking 'appearance' but the theme isn't there either.

[WiLLiSTER]

A wba file is for Windowblinds by Stardock. You won't be able to use that.

[stuartwood89]

I see. Oh well, I suppose the theme I have is good anyway. What about StyleXP? Will skins for that work? I'll try to find out, but if anyone can tell me who knows before I do, the help will be appreciated.

[WiLLiSTER]

Stylexp supprts msstyles.

[stuartwood89]

I'm on the TGTSoft site now, I've found a few links that look good.

[WiLLiSTER]

You should hit up deviantart. They have a lot of nice skins for both Stylexp and Windowblinds.