Adding Customized themes to Windows XP and Vista

FallenSpiral · Mar 09, 2008, 10:39 PM

Alright before I ask my question let me get you set up.

In Windows XP open Display Properties and click the Appearance tab. There it'll have windows and buttons: selection box... Color scheme... selection box... and font size....

Well... under the Windows and buttons option there is Windows Classic style and Windows XP style. I'm wanting to add some more styles because I really don't like Windows Classic and I'm tired of Windows XP style.

Here's my question.

Does anyone know how to add some more really really cool styles in that drop down box without totally hacking up the computer?

aceman67 · Mar 09, 2008, 10:47 PM

There are more styles, you just need to disable the restrictions that only allow Microsoft "Digitally Signed" themes to be used.

My recomendation is to use this tool here: Home of XPero - XPize homepage

It will remove the restriction on the theming engine, add several new themes, and update all the old icons and settings left over from Windows 95, 98 and 2000.

To install new themes that you can download from here: Browsing Visual Styles on deviantART (Have to be careful here, while this is the section for Windows XP visual styles, people STILL post Vista styles here even though its got its own section).

All styles are installed here: C:\Windows\Resources\Themes

If the file you download is a zip or Rar file, unpack it into that folder.

Stay away from StyleXP and Windows Blinds. They are not needed to have custom themes and are actually a drain on your system resources, especially windows blinds.

Here are a couple of my recommendations:
RoyaleDX2 by ~avenger3871 on deviantART
Reluna 3 by ~bant on deviantART
GuiStyle VS by *yingjunjiu on deviantART
Pristine OS 1.2 by ~MohsinNaqi on deviantART

Thats it, enjoy your new interface

Also, before someone asks, Yes, you can use custom themes in Windows Vista, you just need this tool here: VistaGlazz - Reviews and free VistaGlazz downloads at Download.com

And you can download themes for it here: Browsing Visual Styles on deviantART

Thread Stickied since its pretty useful.

FallenSpiral · Mar 09, 2008, 10:55 PM

Thank you so much, ... sigh... I wish I could be more like you. Waa.. I wish I had someone to teach me all the things I wish I knew how to do.

Mar 09, 2008, 10:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
FallenSpiral Otaku Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mena, Arkansas Posts: 100 Thanks: 3 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Adding Customized themes to Windows XP and Vista Alright before I ask my question let me get you set up. In Windows XP open Display Properties and click the Appearance tab. There it'll have windows and buttons: selection box... Color scheme... selection box... and font size.... Well... under the Windows and buttons option there is Windows Classic style and Windows XP style. I'm wanting to add some more styles because I really don't like Windows Classic and I'm tired of Windows XP style. Here's my question. Does anyone know how to add some more really really cool styles in that drop down box without totally hacking up the computer?
Status: Offline

Mar 09, 2008, 10:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
aceman67 Apathetic Bastard Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Coalhurst Alberta, Canada Posts: 2,458 Thanks: 10 Thanked 136 Times in 106 Posts	Re: Windows XP Apperance There are more styles, you just need to disable the restrictions that only allow Microsoft "Digitally Signed" themes to be used. My recomendation is to use this tool here: Home of XPero - XPize homepage It will remove the restriction on the theming engine, add several new themes, and update all the old icons and settings left over from Windows 95, 98 and 2000. To install new themes that you can download from here: Browsing Visual Styles on deviantART (Have to be careful here, while this is the section for Windows XP visual styles, people STILL post Vista styles here even though its got its own section). All styles are installed here: C:\Windows\Resources\Themes If the file you download is a zip or Rar file, unpack it into that folder. *Stay away from StyleXP and Windows Blinds. They are not needed to have custom themes and are actually a drain on your system resources, especially windows blinds.* Here are a couple of my recommendations: RoyaleDX2 by ~avenger3871 on deviantART Reluna 3 by ~bant on deviantART GuiStyle VS by yingjunjiu on deviantART Pristine OS 1.2 by ~MohsinNaqi on deviantART Thats it, enjoy your new interface Also, before someone asks, Yes, you can use custom themes in Windows Vista, you just need this tool here: VistaGlazz - Reviews and free VistaGlazz downloads at Download.com And you can download themes for it here: Browsing Visual Styles on deviantART Thread Stickied since its pretty useful. __________________ Please, in the name of all that is holy and good, Raptor Jesus, Read the RULES.* I think; therefore you are : Xfire : Art Portfolio : DevART : AnimePaper : SheezyART : Last edited by aceman67; Mar 09, 2008 at 11:07 PM.
Status: Offline

Mar 09, 2008, 10:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
FallenSpiral Otaku Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mena, Arkansas Posts: 100 Thanks: 3 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Windows XP Apperance Thank you so much, ... sigh... I wish I could be more like you. Waa.. I wish I had someone to teach me all the things I wish I knew how to do.
Status: Offline

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