force the XP theme onto old apps

[dafonzken]

I found out how to "force" the XP theme onto old applications that weren't compiled with XP themes in mind.

For example, here is putty.exe before the trick:

and after:

You can see how all the buttons and checkboxes (radio buttons too) are Luna-sized!

What you need to do is create a text file and paste this into it:

code:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>Your application description here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do not change the contents of the file. Now rename the file to be "application.exe.manifest" where application is what ever program you have. Now put the .manifest file into the same directory as your application.

Caveat Microsoft Excel and other programs crash or don't start up if you have the manifest

I found this at arstechnica but haven't tried it yet (@work)

There are program?s with which this trick doesn't work, like excel, dreamweaver, parts of icq. But hey, worth the try:))

Here's the link to ars technica: http://arstechnica.infopop.net/OpenTopic/p...43&m=9720903992

[Frogboy Administrators]

Some programs are already theme aware.

Now here's the interesting thing (conspiracy hats on) - DELPHI apps don't work. They'll crash. Very odd.

Plug alert: The enhanced version of WindowBlinds will do this automatically in memory - and works on Delphi apps. Though WB currently uses .UIS skins, not .MSSTYLE skins.

[Jezz_x]

Oh thats nice to know

[Rudy]

you have to make a .manifest file for the app

Ex: if the name of the exe is: rudy.exe then you need a file named rudy.exe.manifest

How to make that manifest file?? just search for one on ur computer (YES you DO have one....if u have XP) and just put it in the exe directory and rename it and there yah go lol

The only app that was not working for me was VB6 and the only thing that was not working was when u have to pick a color it didn't show the colors

(BTW what's in the manifest file doesn't matter (ex Name of the app and ****) just make sure all the original stuff is in it)