23 replies to this topic

[sebazwin]

It's been over a year since I last checked the visual styles for Windows 7, and I started browsing the forum but I can't find quickly what I want to know, so I thought I would ask.

Since 2009, has any new patcher been released that is updated often? I just checked UxStyle, and it still says "Last Updated: July 13, 2009", which is even before Windows 7 retail was released. I get a feeling that something so old might mess up something, especially since SP1 was released.

Also, is there a thread, website or whatever that shows all the finished current visual styles available for Win 7 SP1 x64? I see there's a Window Blinds forum, but I don't want to spend money on the WindowBlinds suite.

Thanks

[omnicoder]

sebazwin, on 08 May 2011 - 17:06, said:

It's been over a year since I last checked the visual styles for Windows 7, and I started browsing the forum but I can't find quickly what I want to know, so I thought I would ask.

Since 2009, has any new patcher been released that is updated often? I just checked UxStyle, and it still says "Last Updated: July 13, 2009", which is even before Windows 7 retail was released. I get a feeling that something so old might mess up something, especially since SP1 was released.

Also, is there a thread, website or whatever that shows all the finished current visual styles available for Win 7 SP1 x64? I see there's a Window Blinds forum, but I don't want to spend money on the WindowBlinds suite.

Thanks

UxStyle's website specifically says "[yes, this works on Windows 7 SP1 even.]".
It patches the files in memory instead of on your drive.

I've been using it on Windows 7 x64 and I haven't had a problem.

[warwagon]

The overall idea with custom themes for Windows 7 is change the taskbar color, add a new wallpaper and release as a custom theme. BOOM! Done!

[+Jamushroom]

^That's "themes", not "Visual Styles". The topic is clearly about Visual Styles, which is something completely different then a theme.

I was working on my own version of Aero in which all graphics have been remade from scratch. Though I might just wait with compiling it until Windows 7 comes around. I'm currently still in the design stages so it'll be a loss if I'd made it for Windows 7.

Let me tell you this though, it looks a lot different compared to the default Aero.

[Paul Ferson]

Visual Styles for Windows 7 don't really seem as awesome as they did on Windows Vista and Windows XP. I've been using Windows 7 with its standard Aero theme because of the lack of exciting themes. UxTheme Patcher should still work, even though I personally use TuneUp Styler because everything is straightforward.

[inferniac]

I also use custom VS with patched uxtheme with no issues, on all Win7 machines Shine 2.0 is my VS of choice.

[liju]

deepxw's Universal Theme Patcher works without any issues on Windows 7 SP1

[sebazwin]

I'm looking for a style that doesn't look like a circus vomited on the screen, which are about 90% of the visual styles and Windowblinds themes out there. And I'm also looking for one that is not a rip off of a Mac theme, because as much as I like the Mac OS X interface, when elements of it are mixed with the Windows interface, it looks hideous. I also want something that is easy on the eyes, since I suffer from migraines and the more light colors on the screen, the sooner I will get a migraine. So far the closest I've seen to what I want is this: http://skins12.wincu...view-1-7372.jpg, but it's not that great either.

Is there a free program that makes it easy to change the default folder icon? I read how to do it in a forum but it involves way too many steps with a registry and so on. And, it seems to change only the default folder when it's an empty folder, but as soon as the folder has content inside it defaults to the hideous yellow folders. My two biggest problems with the Windows interface are the horrible baby blue color that is present almost everywhere and cannot be changed from Windows' Personalization CP, and the also horrible yellow folder icons. If I could just change those two things I'd be happy. Suggestions (that are free and don't involve me designing my own style) are very welcome.

[liju]

sebazwin, on 08 May 2011 - 17:43, said:

I'm looking for a style that doesn't look like a circus vomited on the screen, which are about 90% of the visual styles and Windowblinds themes out there. And I'm also looking for one that is not a rip off of a Mac theme, because as much as I like the Mac OS X interface, when elements of it are mixed with the Windows interface, it looks hideous. I also want something that is easy on the eyes, since I suffer from migraines and the more light colors on the screen, the sooner I will get a migraine. So far the closest I've seen to what I want is this: http://skins12.wincu...view-1-7372.jpg, but it's not that great either.
.....

The 3 best dark visual styles for Windows 7 IMHO:

Dark Soft
Dark Agility
APPOWS2010

[sebazwin]

liju, on 08 May 2011 - 17:56, said:

The 3 best dark visual styles for Windows 7 IMHO:

Dark Soft
Dark Agility
APPOWS2010

Thanks. The first two look OK, if not great, but I'm looking for something that while dark, it's not pure black like those. Or, if it's black, then with a glass effect. Years ago when I had XP I used this great black glass style, I can't remember the name now. If I can't find anything I might have to spend time building my own style. I had bought Windows Style Builder in 2009, but it takes way too much time to build a style from scratch, and even then, I can't change all of the ugly features in the Windows GUI, just some of them.

[Ap0X]

CustoPack Tools

Its free. Its awsome.

[ajua]

Which is better? UxStyle or Universal Theme Patcher.

I'm on the same corner as many that forgot about Visual Styles because the lack of great options and the hassle to install the first that came out but after reading this thread I might give it a second chance...

[harjeet]

IMO Universal Theme Patcher is much better because its a one time patch (except for Service Pack updates).

Glass Onion http://solmiler.devi...or-W7-202355689 is a great theme. If its too glassy you can always add colour, even change it to black, in the personalization panel.

[Wakers]

Deviantart has some amazing Visual Styles.

Wave (also available as a custopack, which is an awesome piece of software), Hmm7 and Elune are fantastic.

[sebazwin]

Ap0X, on 08 May 2011 - 18:21, said:

CustoPack Tools

Its free. Its awsome.

This one seems good. I've been trying to find a set of good icons for half an hour now, and it's very frustrating because most of the icons are either for children or Mac OS X knockoffs. I would love to find Windows icons that look good, even if it's the default ones but in a graphite variation, anything but that horrible yellow.