Cannot get 3rd party themes working on Windows 7

By Paul Birkett
in Tips, Tweaks & Customization

 Share

Recommended Posts

Neowinian

Paul Birkett

Posted
Posted

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone may be able to shed some light on this problem I have with my Windows 7 install and using 3rd party themes.

I was a big fan of 3rd party themes when I used Windows XP, and although I have been relatively happy with the appearance of Windows 7 so far, I'm getting bored with it. I saw the Elune theme posted elsewhere so I thought I would try it.

My Windows 7 version is Home Premium 64-bit (Build 7600).

First I tried an application called CustoPack Tools. This allowed me to download and apply theme... by all accounts, it was meant to do the patching etc for me. However, when it tried to apply it I was greeted with Windows Classic rather than the theme I was expecting. Fair enough, my immediate thought from my XP days was that the system files were not correctly patched.

So, I downloaded the UniversalThemePatcher and ran the x64 version as administrator, but it told me that my files were already patched. I restarted, no difference. I unpatched and re-patched, and restarted. Still cannot apply the themes.

Tried downloading another theme, exactly the same problem.

I then tried the UX Style Core Beta, which installs a system service to apply unsigned themes. I verified this was running correctly in services, but my machine will STILL not apply the themes.

I can apply the Aero theme no problems, and the themes service is running.

I am out of ideas. Does anyone else have any ideas?

The only thing I can think of as to why it isn't working is that it is the Windows that is preloaded on my laptop so not a "Vanilla" version of windows (it's a Sony Vaio E-Series FWIW).

Very disappointing. I would be most grateful for any help I could get.

Cheers, Paul

Grand Master

TCA

Posted
Posted

did you patch all 3 files? sometimes you will have to unpatch and repatch then restart.

http://deepxw.blogspot.com/2008/11/universal-theme-patcher.html

Neowinian

Paul Birkett

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Right, I unpatched the 64-bit files and restarted, now I run the x86 Theme Patcher, but the themeservice.dll file (the top one of the three is missing).

I've checked and the file is definitely there in C:\Windows\System 32 and I've changed the permissions so I have full control but the file is still not listed when I run the 32-bit patcher, so could this be my problem, and if so how do I get this program to find the file that is there?

Edit: I've just tried patching the 5 files but it still will not apply the theme :(

Neowinian

Paul Birkett

Posted
  • Author
Posted

From the screenshot, I _might_ know why the themes never applied, do you use the default DPI value?

No, I use the "125%" setting....?

Edit: WE HAVE A WINNER!!! I've just set it to default and its working!!! Cheers mate :) though its a shame I seem unable to use the higher DPI setting (I use a 15" laptop with a 1080 display)

Veteran

SkyDX

Posted
Posted

No, I use the "125%" setting....?

Edit: WE HAVE A WINNER!!! I've just set it to default and its working!!! Cheers mate :) though its a shame I seem unable to use the higher DPI setting (I use a 15" laptop with a 1080 display)

Glad I could help^^ Your screenshot looked a bit off DPI-wise and I knew there was another thread on DPI and themes recently, so I figured it might be the case here too. It's unfortunate that it doesn't work with other DPI serrings yeah, well technically it would work, the theme designers would just need to redo the theme for each value :pinch:

  • 1 year later...
  • 1 month later...
Neowinian

MrDeathchop

Posted
Posted

i have same problem . . themeservices.dll missing . . current & backup empty . . help me please . . :cry:

Glad I could help^^ Your screenshot looked a bit off DPI-wise and I knew there was another thread on DPI and themes recently, so I figured it might be the case here too. It's unfortunate that it doesn't work with other DPI serrings yeah, well technically it would work, the theme designers would just need to redo the theme for each value :pinch:

i have same problem . . themeservices.dll missing . . current & backup empty . . help me please . . :cry:
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Citizen Sleeper and Robobeat are free to claim on the Epic Games Store

      By LoneWolfSL · Posted

      Citizen Sleeper and Robobeat are free to claim on the Epic Games Store by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe PC gamers have two more games they can add to their library without needing to open their wallets, as the Epic Games Store's freebie offer has just refreshed. That means last week's Warhammer 40K Speed Freeks and The Ouroboros King offer has been replaced by two new games, which happen to be Robobeat and Citizen Sleeper copies. From the duo, Robobeat lands from developer Simon Fredholm, offering a rhythm-based action game. Released only last year, the title puts you into the shoes of Ace, a bounty hunter that's targeting the robot showman Frazzer. The fast-paced title offers movement techniques like wall-running, sliding, and bunny hopping to zoom around while shooting enemies, but the requirement is doing everything to the beat. Outside of built-in tracks, the title also lets players upload their own music to populate its levels too. Next, Citizen Sleeper lands from Jump Over The Age, a sci-fi RPG adventure taking place in a ruined space station where thousands of people are trying to survive. The tabletop RPG-inspired title uses things like dice and clocks to change how the player approaches situations and survives their day-to-day lives. There is a large range of characters to meet with in the station, each with their own storylines and alliances. "You are a sleeper, a digitised human consciousness in an artificial body, owned by a corporation that wants you back," says the developer about the setting. "Thrust amongst the unfamiliar and colourful inhabitants of the Eye, you need to build friendships, earn your keep, and navigate the factions of this strange metropolis, if you hope to survive to see the next cycle." The Citizen Sleeper and Robobeat giveaways are set to run until June 25 on the Epic Games Store, giving PC gamers seven days to claim the latest offer. Once this closes out, new freebies will take its place on the same day. They are supposed to be copies of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 and Voidwrought. Don't forget that mobile gamers can check out the Epic Game Store's weekly giveaways on Android and iOS to grab a freebie there as well.
    • Politically funny images of the World

      By Xenon · Posted

    • Vivaldi 8.0.4033.48

      By erpster3 · Posted

      Vivaldi version 8.0.4033.50 released June 17: https://vivaldi.com/blog/desktop/minor-update-eight-8-0/
    • Rockstar confirms Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders begin next week, unveils cover art

      By Lamp0 · Posted

      The Online part hasn't even been announced and probably won't be included on day one. This is a massive singleplayer game.
    • This is how much iPhone 18 Pro could cost after Apple's price hike confirmed

      By cork1958 · Posted

      While I agree with all that, it just proves there's an a** built for every seat.

  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Huge Trailer earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      Classifyskilleducation earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      eurospharma62 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      With What earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      Harris Gilbert earned a badge
      Week One Done

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      562
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      169
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      72
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      64
    5. 5
      ATLien_0
      64
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!