Author Topic: Do you use any Desktop Theme Software on Windows? (Read 38,190 times)

Eóin · « **Reply #25 on:** August 08, 2007, 07:28 AM »

Interestingly the very first uxtheme.dll patch came from the styleXP crowd. I recall back then that they marketed their program to beginners but offered a patched dll as a download for 'experienced' users.

In fact their app really just performed the same patching but did so in ram making it a temporary change.

iphigenie · « **Reply #26 on:** August 08, 2007, 07:35 AM »

I have been using Stardock software for 10 years, and I often have windows blinds on - although usually on a more minimalistic, feature rich skin than on eye candy $:-\$

sri · « **Reply #27 on:** October 06, 2009, 01:09 PM »

I purchased WindowBlinds today so I can use this cool theme.

Here is a screenshot of my computer:

[attachthumb=#]

scancode · « **Reply #28 on:** October 06, 2009, 04:13 PM »

I swear for Allure (to patch uxtheme in-memory) and the Foton Compact visual style when I'm ok, and the XXL High contrast colourscheme when I can't see.

lanux128 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 07, 2009, 03:18 PM »

i'm curious about Allure, if the patching is done in memory. what will happen when the user reboots with a non-standard theme/style? i couldn't find any info on this at their site.

scancode · « **Reply #30 on:** October 07, 2009, 03:24 PM »

Quote from: lanux128 on October 07, 2009, 03:18 PM

i'm curious about Allure, if the patching is done in memory. what will happen when the user reboots with a non-standard theme/style? i couldn't find any info on this at their site.

You get the standard windows theme for a second, and then allure kicks in and you get your custom theme.

mouser · « **Reply #31 on:** October 07, 2009, 03:39 PM »

not me -- i prefer the plain minimalist windows 2000 (Windows Classic) theme. makes me feel all calm inside

fenixproductions · « **Reply #32 on:** October 07, 2009, 05:16 PM »

Quote from: mouser on October 07, 2009, 03:39 PM

not me -- i prefer the plain minimalist windows 2000 (Windows Classic) theme. makes me feel all calm inside

I had the same thoughts for years but since I found SlanXP2 theme I changed my mind...

rgdot · « **Reply #33 on:** October 07, 2009, 05:57 PM »

I try many but keep ending back with Royale Noir

tomos · « **Reply #34 on:** October 07, 2009, 07:41 PM »

Quote from: fenixproductions on October 07, 2009, 05:16 PM

Quote from: mouser on October 07, 2009, 03:39 PM
not me -- i prefer the plain minimalist windows 2000 (Windows Classic) theme. makes me feel all calm inside
I had the same thoughts for years but since I found SlanXP2 theme I changed my mind...

SlanXP2 theme looks good,
maybe a bit dark for my taste http://lassekongo83.deviantart.com/art/SlanXP-2-0-51492944

I usually use the classic theme as well - but I dont like the default grey especially, and I tend to mess around with the colours on top every now & again

[attachimg=#]

fenixproductions · « **Reply #35 on:** October 07, 2009, 08:03 PM »

2tomos
Slan was too dark for me at the beginning but I've used to it.

Or maybe I had some predispositions for it? AFAIR I had always had "black to red" colour set for title bar and black desktop wallpaper within Classic theme.

P.S. Where are you working? I could swear that I saw the same settings as yours on some training video recently

tomos · « **Reply #36 on:** October 07, 2009, 08:14 PM »

Quote from: fenixproductions on October 07, 2009, 08:03 PM

P.S. Where are you working? I could swear that I saw the same settings as yours on some training video recently

they must have copied from one of my screenshots here at dc

macs also use a very lite grey -
maybe they copied me too

Curt · « **Reply #37 on:** October 07, 2009, 10:08 PM »

I don't use any desktop theme on my Vista, (other than light-blue Vista altered by QTTabbar and StExBar), even though I really don't like the colours. I would rather like it to use some fancy, updated aero-glass version of XP's Silver - I just don't know where or how to get it and set it.

Darwin · « **Reply #38 on:** October 07, 2009, 11:21 PM »

Same as Curt, here. I have Vista running Aero and that's it... I dallied with WindowBlinds under XP Pro for years trying to find the perfect Vista theme!

[Off-topic] my Windows 7 disc is in the mail so I'll be upgrading to it, soon

[/Off-topic]

Eóin · « **Reply #39 on:** October 08, 2009, 12:39 AM »

shameless plug: Curt you might like one of my two Vista styles both are ports of lassekongo83's, designer of the already mentioned SlanXP.

Curt · « **Reply #40 on:** October 09, 2009, 11:26 PM »

@Eóin,
- you were warned. I did say I don't use themes, meaning I have no idea what to do!

1) When I click Desktop > Change Theme, Vista is asking me for a *.Theme-file.
So what do I do with the CleanGlass (♥) folder, which has no .Theme files, please?

Can I say right away that I only would like to change the look of Explorer, if possible.
Everything else is already looking good... As is CleanGlass :-)

MilesAhead · « **Reply #41 on:** October 09, 2009, 11:53 PM »

I use VistaGlazz on Vista64 with the Purple theme. The only negative side-effect I've noticed is that desktop icon position save/restore programs don't seem to work. That provided the impetus to get rid of desktop icons altogether. I use RocketDock with 6 folders to hold my shortcuts in various categories.

It's nice with W7 that you don't have to patch anything to apply themes.
On XP I really like the Shine_vs Theme

The trouble with Shine though, is centering the caption obliterates too much text on dialog and message boxes. I tried to hack it myself with a resource hacker but I could never get it right. All themes I use, for that reason, have left justified captions.

Here's some screenshots. The wallpapers I did with fractal programs.

Curt · « **Reply #42 on:** May 16, 2010, 10:12 AM »

bumping...

Quote from: Curt on October 09, 2009, 11:26 PM

1) When I click Desktop > Change Theme, Vista is asking me for a *.Theme-file.
So what do I do with the CleanGlass folder, which has no .Theme files, please?

tanis424 · « **Reply #43 on:** May 16, 2010, 11:45 AM »

Quote from: Curt on October 09, 2009, 11:26 PM

- you were warned. I did say I don't use themes, meaning I have no idea what to do!

From the text file included in the themes ...

Quote

"Requirements: Windows XP with a patched uxtheme.dll file.

An universal uxtheme patcher for XP can be found here:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/UXTheme-MultiPatcher.shtml

Doubleclick on the *.msstyles file to use the theme."

Curt · « **Reply #44 on:** May 16, 2010, 12:08 PM »

-thanks, tanis424