Windows XP Themes?

[SonyaM32]

Can someone tell me a good site or two where I can get them? I did a search, and I really want a site that will at least show the thumbnail examples on the first page. ;D
Thanks
I hate to have to click on everything just to find a screenshot of the theme, lol ;D 8) ::) :D

[Meltdown]

deviantART (http://browse.deviantart.com/skins/windows/visualstyle/?view=1&order=5&limit=24)
StudioTwentyEight (http://www.studiotwentyeight.net/vstyles.htm)
Neowin (http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showforum=36)

Neowin also has the free UXTheme multi-patcher so you can use these themes (aka visual styles) - it beats paying for StyleXP :)

[SonyaM32]

-{ Quote: "deviantART (http://browse.deviantart.com/skins/windows/visualstyle/?view=1&order=5&limit=24)
StudioTwentyEight (http://www.studiotwentyeight.net/vstyles.htm)
Neowin (http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showforum=36)

Neowin also has the free UXTheme multi-patcher so you can use these themes (aka visual styles) - it beats paying for StyleXP :)" }-
Thanks for the info. Meltdown!
I have a question. I want one from Devian Art. How do I install it? I unzipped the files, and it only shows jpeg icons and folders. I don't see an install ::)
Thanks

[Ailric]

Sonya,

1. First you should download the latest UXTheme patcher.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/UXTheme-MultiPatcher.shtml
I had to use the Romanian mirror.

2. Patch your system according to instuctions. Reboot your computer.

3. GoTo My Computer>Tools>Folder Options>View and select Show hidden files and folders. Click OK.

4. GoTo My Computer>Local Disk C:>Windows>Resources>Themes and unzip the file you downloaded here.

5. Click the Visual Style icon for the theme. The Display Properties dialog should appear with the Appearance Tab highlighted. Click OK.

That should do it.

[SonyaM32]

-{ Quote: "Sonya,

1. First you should download the latest UXTheme patcher.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/UXTheme-MultiPatcher.shtml
I had to use the Romanian mirror.

2. Patch your system according to instuctions. Reboot your computer.

3. GoTo My Computer>Tools>Folder Options>View and select Show hidden files and folders. Click OK.

4. GoTo My Computer>Local Disk C:>Windows>Resources>Themes and unzip the file you downloaded here.

5. Click the Visual Style icon for the theme. The Display Properties dialog should appear with the Appearance Tab highlighted. Click OK.

That should do it." }-
Thanks Ailric,
I tried to get the patch, and after I downloaded , it asked for me to put in my Windows XP CD, which I don't have. It came installed on my computer.
Do I have to have the patch? Or is there a way I can get it without having to have the CD?
Thanks

[mikel108]

I got the same thing SonyaM and I just canceled then rebooted.

I then downloaded a mac theme. Followed Ailric's instructions on where to go, clicked the zipped mac folder and clicked on the i.theme icon. It came up in the theme command, and I clicked apply and now I have this great theme.

[Ailric]

You don't need the cd.
Just wait a minute until it asks you for your CD.
Click CANCEL.
You will then get the reboot dialog.
Reboot.

This is perfectly safe. If you ever want to unpatch, simply run the patch program again.

[SonyaM32]

-{ Quote: "I got the same thing SonyaM and I just canceled then rebooted.

I then downloaded a mac theme. Followed Ailric's instructions on where to go, clicked the zipped mac folder and clicked on the i.theme icon. It came up in the theme command, and I clicked apply and now I have this great theme." }-
Thanks Mike, It already rebooted, so I will go try that now! :)Thanks

[SonyaM32]

-{ Quote: "You don't need the cd.
Just wait a minute until it asks you for your CD.
Click CANCEL.
You will then get the reboot dialog.
Reboot.

This is perfectly safe. If you ever want to unpatch, simply run the patch program again." }-
Thanks, I am off to try it now, I will be back to let ya know :) Thanks

[mikel108]

Ailric,
thanks for your help. This is just great stuff...for free!!

[dog]

The reason you're getting the CD prompt is do to Windows File Protection - As it recognizes the new uxtheme.dll as different and it's attempting to replace it with the default. Ignore it like Mike has done and reboot, the patcher has the ability to place back the original uxtheme.dll should you ever want to, but there shouldn't be a need to. :)

[Ailric]

Your welcome,

There are some really good styles here:
http://browse.deviantart.com/skins/windows/visualstyle/
Lots of great Mac, Tiger, Longhorn and Aero styles.
Just check out the top favourites.

[SonyaM32]

COOL, I got it!!!!!!!!
Thank you!!!!
Now do I need to go back to "show hidden files" and re-hide them , lol
Will this theme always be in my desktop properties now? So I can get toit easier?

[SonyaM32]

OMG! I'm addicted now!!! ::) ::) ;D ;D

[Ailric]

Go to desktop properties and have a look.
Right-click on desktop. Select properties>Appearance and look in Windows and Buttons.

I wouldn't re-hide the hidden files and folders since you will probably want to add more themes.

Some of my favourites:

Longhorn Inspirat (Longhorn Mac hybrid)
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/7631106/

Opus OS (nice theme)
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/4591314/

Luna Element (excellent XP theme)
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/18552868/

Tiger VS (Mac OSX theme)
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/17625638/

Opus OSX (excellent Mac theme)
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/4990239/

[SonyaM32]

Ok thanks! :)

[SonyaM32]

I tried to install a new one, actually I tried more than one, it will say there is already a file named whatever, and it askes me "yes" "yes to all" " no" or "cancel" :-\

[iceni60]

i like element too, here are some more nice ones
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/14623680/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/9889460/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/11034691/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/10955957/

[SonyaM32]

-{ Quote: "i like element too, here are some more nice ones
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/14623680/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/9889460/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/11034691/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/10955957/" }-
Thanks iceni60, those are nice! Now I HAVE to get those too! ;D

[SonyaM32]

Now I can't get anymore to install??? Any sugestions ;D ;D ;D

[iceni60]

-{ Quote: "Now I can't get anymore to install??? Any sugestions ;D ;D ;D" }-
how about these?

[iceni60]

-{ Quote: "I tried to install a new one, actually I tried more than one, it will say there is already a file named whatever, and it askes me "yes" "yes to all" " no" or "cancel" :-\" }-
do you know which file? it's normally something common which can be replaced or a readme. most of the time you can click yes to all. but, make a note of what it is it's asking about

[SonyaM32]

-{ Quote: "do you know which file? it's normally something common which can be replaced or a readme. most of the time you can click yes to all. but, make a note of what it is it's asking about" }-
;D Silly me, I was trying to install the same one I already did, lol ;D That is what was wrong there ::)
Wow, that's alot of themes you have ;D 8) I have 2 now, lol
Thanks

[iceni60]

-{ Quote: ";D Silly me, I was trying to install the same one I already did, lol ;D That is what was wrong there ::)
Wow, that's alot of themes you have ;D 8) I have 2 now, lol
Thanks" }-
it can become abit of a problem - you spend more time looking for themes then using them :D

but these links you have already been given are good to browse
http://skins.deviantart.com/windows/visualstyle/
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showforum=36

[SonyaM32]

Oh Geez, I did something wrong :-\ My entire desktop is blakened out, the only things visable are the icons, but when I open them, they are blackened out too. :( I had to switch to my daughters to put this here. Someone help. I would do a sys restore, but I can only do that under admin. account, and my daughters is not one. :-\

Edit: Ok, somehow restore worked, I panicked, lol ;D Now I have to try again 8) I want these themes ;D

[Tassie_Devils]

Currently I am using StyleXP program for a variety of things including themes, etc. [alas, not free]

My is called GraphiteD but I tweaked it and renamed it to Latest_Graphite. :)

TAS

[mikel108]

For some reason when I reboot all the colour from the themes turns to a really light grey and I have to re-apply the theme. Any ideas why this happens??

Mike

[mikel108]

-{ Quote: "Oh Geez, I did something wrong :-\ My entire desktop is blakened out, the only things visable are the icons, but when I open them, they are blackened out too. :( I had to switch to my daughters to put this here. Someone help. I would do a sys restore, but I can only do that under admin. account, and my daughters is not one. :-\

Edit: Ok, somehow restore worked, I panicked, lol ;D Now I have to try again 8) I want these themes ;D" }-


I had this happen once too Sonya. I had to restore my PC too. In my case, I think what happened is that I opened the file from the download box. I noticed the next time I tried this that the preview would be black. I then went in through Start-My PC-C-Windows ect........and opened the file that way and it then previewed right. ??? I never have that problem doing it this way so far.