Recommended Posts

1. Download tranformation pack.

2. Run it in a dos box with the "/x" (no quotes) switch.

3. Extract the files you need.

4. You may need to mix and match a little with the shellstyles and themes. :p

5. The grass paper is Aero Grass.jpg in the LTP.

memodude: I've read through this thread (over the course of several weeks), and want to know if I can just get Slate 2.0 and Aero 2.0 as themes separately from a link or download location somewhere without, and I emphasise without, having to transform my entire Windows. I don't want Longhorn, I just want an Aero-ish or Slate 2.0 theme?

Is there such a thing, or have I already forgotten or missed it somewhere... for the benefit of everyone else who's asking the same thing, can you provide a download link? Thanks heaps!

:huh: KyocEr@~*'s right, most of us want just the themes, and i mean its not hard for windows x to post just the themes on themexp.org or somthing. i dont want to transform my whole computer

and btw, how do i "Run it in a dos box with the '/x' " ? i dont get what you mean?

@audioscheine & KyocEr@~*: Just follow my instructions above.

To extract using a DOS box:

1. Open a DOS box (Start > Run > cmd)

2. Use the CD command to get to the folder (if my LTP installer is in C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\lhtrans\, use "cd C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\lhtrans\" [no quotes])

3. Run the following command: "Longhorn Transformation Pack 4.0 Refresh.exe" /x (including quotes). If the filename of the pack is different, change the filename between the quotes.

4. A box will appear asking which files you want. Select the themes you want AND all the shellstyle.dlls consecutively following the theme. eg (glow indicates selected):

Some-other.file

Longhorn Aero.msstyles

shellstyle.dll

shellstyle.dll

Some-other.file

5. A save box will appear for each file. Give a different name to each shellstyle to avoid overwrites.

6. It might be hard getting the shellstyles in. Ask someone else about that. For Slate, just install Slate 1.0, switch to Luna, put one of the shellstyles in each subfolder of C:\Windows\Resources\Slate PDC or XP\Shell, overwrite Slate PDC or XP.msstyles with the new version.

Just install the transformation pack and choose not to install/change anything but the msstyle.

The problem is it's confusing. What I get is this:

Login:

[*] Aero

[ ] M4

[ ] M6

[ ] PDC

[ ] Don't change it

Progress dialog and toolbar (1):

[*] Aero

[ ] M4

[ ] M6

[ ] PDC

[ ] Don't change it

Start button flag (2):

[*] Aero

[ ] M4

[ ] M6

[ ] PDC

[ ] Don't change it

Additional installations:

[ ] Change boot screen to Longhorn

[ ] Install Longhorn Sidebar

[ ] Set Toolbar to Longhorn Style

--------

Footnotes

(1) What is "Progress dialog and toolbar"?

(2) What does "Start button flag" change? The Start button flag is determined by the selected theme.

Comments

(1) I do not see a choice whether to alter the Windows About box to say "Longhorn".

(2) I don't see an option not to patch UXTheme.dll.

(3) I notice your lhtrans.bat batch file:

@echo off

if not exist %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\LHTrans md %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\LHTrans > nul

move /y %SYSTEMROOT%\explorer.exe %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\LHTrans > nul

move /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\moricons.dll %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\LHTrans > nul

move /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\msgina.dll %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\LHTrans > nul

move /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\ntoskrnl.exe %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\LHTrans > nul

move /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\shell32.dll %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\LHTrans > nul

move /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\uxtheme.dll %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\LHTrans > nul

copy /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\dllcache\explorer.exe %SYSTEMROOT% > nul

copy /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\dllcache\moricons.dll %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 > nul

copy /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\dllcache\msgina.dll %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 > nul

copy /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\dllcache\ntoskrnl.exe %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 > nul

copy /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\dllcache\shell32.dll %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 > nul

copy /y %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\dllcache\uxtheme.dll %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 > nul

will move and copy all the above files regardless of whether the user chose to patch their boot screen. If the user has chosen not to patch their boot screen and they have removed their dllcache it will render their system unbootable. This might have been the cause of Chris123NT's problem.

Please listen,

You can do just screensaver, themes and wallpaper installation not whole transforming too! Just choose all options to "Don't change it" and do not mark any checkbox. If you mark "Don't change it" to all options, you will not get anything about Longhorn like many folks said. That's all. I very da busy in this week and I couldn't do any uploading before mid-night so it wasn't possible to do on school day. Now it's Friday so I could do it soon because it was planned already. And boot screen was fixed already as i mentioned in readme. thanks memodude in help and support. I'd rather busy to do on day-time.

Footnotes

(1) What is "Progress dialog and toolbar"?

Ans: Progress dialog is dialog while you run shutdown, log off and changing themes dialog. Toolbar is image button on toolbar

(2) What does "Start button flag" change? The Start button flag is determined by the selected theme.

Ans: start flag in Aero will look smaller for common Start button theme not my special ones.

Comments

(1) I do not see a choice whether to alter the Windows About box to say "Longhorn".

Ans: Just choose "Don't change it" in all options

(2) I don't see an option not to patch UXTheme.dll.

Ans: Because it was required for themes so it's best to do forcely add (Avoid user's prob about can't do changing theme)

(3) I notice your lhtrans.bat batch file:

Ans: this won't be any problem because it will do as "Don't change it" by copying original files in dllcache folder before run batch files

Hope this will clear all of your question.

Footnotes

(1) What is "Progress dialog and toolbar"?

Ans: Progress dialog is dialog while you run shutdown, log off and changing themes dialog. Toolbar is image button on toolbar

(2) What does "Start button flag" change? The Start button flag is determined by the selected theme.

Ans: start flag in Aero will look smaller for common Start button theme not my special ones.

Comments

(1) I do not see a choice whether to alter the Windows About box to say "Longhorn".

Ans: Just choose "Don't change it" in all options

(2) I don't see an option not to patch UXTheme.dll.

Ans: Because it was required for themes so it's best to do forcely add (Avoid user's prob about can't do changing theme)

(3) I notice your lhtrans.bat batch file:

Ans: this won't be any problem because it will do as "Don't change it" by copying original files in dllcache folder before run batch files

Hope this will clear all of your question.

Thanks for your response. :)

memodude: I've read through this thread (over the course of several weeks), and want to know if I can just get Slate 2.0 and Aero 2.0 as themes separately from a link or download location somewhere without, and I emphasise without, having to transform my entire Windows. I don't want Longhorn, I just want an Aero-ish or Slate 2.0 theme?

Is there such a thing, or have I already forgotten or missed it somewhere... for the benefit of everyone else who's asking the same thing, can you provide a download link? Thanks heaps!

im sure it wouldnt be too much trouble for someone (Windows X) to release the themeson their own ...

..after all, the first versions of the themes are out there and normally creators update them from time to time....

as for me, I like slate PDC, and Windows X did a great job, but no way am I touching that longhorn transformation pack after what I've read or using any dos boxes .... anyway .. how come a dos box is needed ... cant the installer just have had an option to install into a folder then run from there on choice ? ... like lots of other stuff has ....

...until the revised themes are released ... just stick with slate 1.0 .... its no biggie that a color is out of place or somethin like that... better a usable pc with a stand alone VS, than, what would appear to some, a more complicated install pack which has, undeniably, caused some users problems ...

:shifty: :shifty:

memodude: I've read through this thread (over the course of several weeks), and want to know if I can just get Slate 2.0 and Aero 2.0 as themes separately from a link or download location somewhere without, and I emphasise without, having to transform my entire Windows. I don't want Longhorn, I just want an Aero-ish or Slate 2.0 theme?

Is there such a thing, or have I already forgotten or missed it somewhere... for the benefit of everyone else who's asking the same thing, can you provide a download link? Thanks heaps!

im sure it wouldnt be too much trouble for someone (Windows X) to release the themeson their own ...

..after all, the first versions of the themes are out there and normally creators update them from time to time....

as for me, I like slate PDC, and Windows X did a great job, but no way am I touching that longhorn transformation pack after what I've read or using any dos boxes .... anyway .. how come a dos box is needed ... cant the installer just have had an option to install into a folder then run from there on choice ? ... like lots of other stuff has ....

...until the revised themes are released ... just stick with slate 1.0 .... its no biggie that a color is out of place or somethin like that... better a usable pc with a stand alone VS, than, what would appear to some, a more complicated install pack which has, undeniably, caused some users problems ...

:shifty: :shifty:

Just follow my DOS box instructions and you'll be happy. :) I did it...

thanks memodude ... I'll pass on that though .. like a lot of others ;) ;)

The only reason I, and everybody else, haven't posted the styles by themselves is because Windows X indicated in the LTP thread that he doesn't want any redistribution/posting of component parts. :(

I present you...*drumroll*...my sidebar in a totally pre-alpha state! Well, it sorta works. :)

It has 4 modules:

1. Clock It is currently an empty space. I'll add a clock there soon.

2. Windows Media Player It contains an empty WMP control. You can't load anything yet.

3. Notepad The only finished module. Take notes. When you exit the sidebar the notepad content is saved.

4. Weather This used to work, but the weather web service I was using is gone now, so it will say "FMT Sidebar Weather | Error" on it.

To exit, click the down arrow at the top and click Exit Sidebar. You need the .NET Framework for it to run.

To develop a module:

1. In VS.NET create a new user control project.

2. Reference interfaces.dll from the sidebar folder.

3. Add a class (I call it ModuleInformation.vb) and implement the IModule interface in FastMemo.Longhorn.Sidebar.Interfaces.

4. Return values for all the read-only properties. In the Control property, return a new instance of the usercontrol. Your usercontrol should have a internal/friend field as FastMemo.Longhorn.Sidebar.Interfaces.IModuleHost. Set that field to the value of ModuleInformation.Host in get_Control.

5. Implement the interface of the module in the usercontrol.

6. Compile it and put it and any dependent DLLs in the modules subfolder of the sidebar folder. Do not put Interfaces.dll in the modules folder, the .NET Framework will automatically find it in the main sidebar folder.

7. Start the sidebar and your module should load. If an error occurs, press Ctrl+C and paste the message into a post here. If it just doesn't load make sure you have a valid class implementing IModule.

Sidebar_Content.exe

The only reason I, and everybody else, haven't posted the styles by themselves is because Windows X indicated in the LTP thread that he doesn't want any redistribution/posting of component parts. :(

Hello memodude, I understand completely - but to me and people like Tai (and I'm sure, alot of others), we aren't sure what we are doing and we don't want to break our computer. Not all of us are that familiar nor are we that willing to risk breaking our computer when it could be as simple as just clicking a normal file that could be downloaded from themexp.org or something (but of course, you know that already - and I'm just stating it again, for the benefit of everyone else).

Thanks for your effort in typing out the DOS commands again, though! I just don't want to risk Windows dying with quite a few of my settings and my backup documents already in place (it's just too troublesome, and it's Uni exam period down in Sydney, so if I lose my Windows now - I may risk not being able to get to all my documents, or files may get corrupted or something... the Transformation Pack is too risky at this stage, for the novice user who just wants to click a theme, and change it).

Again, thanks for explaining, and I know, Windows X is under no compulsion/obligation to have to do anything for us. It's good to see he's moving on to more advanced stuff, although it does leave a few novice users behind. Sawadee Krap, Windows X!

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Microsoft releases new Windows 11 Media Creation Tool with the latest updates by Taras Buria Patch Tuesday updates arrive every month, bringing users new features and security updates. To make sure customers have access to the most recent images, Microsoft also releases updates to the Media Creation Tool app, its official utility for Windows 11 installation. Today, the company pushed new ISOs to Media Creation Tool, allowing you to create images with the June 2026 Patch Tuesday updates. With the latest update, the Media Creation Tool now downloads KB5094126. It is Windows 11 version 25H2, build 26200.8655, which is also available via Windows Update. Note that the app itself remains on the previous version, which you can check in Properties > Details. The only change is that it now downloads a more recent Windows 11 build, so the only way to check is to download an ISO. The June 2026 Patch Tuesday update is a special release for Windows 11, as it brings a new performance profile to make the operating system more responsive and snappier when rendering various user interface surfaces, including the Start menu, quick settings, and more. It does so by spiking processor speeds for a brief moment, resulting in higher loads for a second or two. The so-called “Low latency profile” is rolling out gradually, but you can force-enable it with the ViVeTool app. Other changes include webcam improvements, Task Manager updates, shared audio support, and more. You can download the Media Creation Tool app from the official Microsoft website using this link. Besides MCT, Microsoft lets you download Windows 11 ISO as a file directly from the official Windows 11 website. However, you will need a third-party app to write it to your USB drive. Check out this guide if you want to know how to do that.
    • Louis Rossmann suing Samsung over "990 Pro SSD warranty scam" by Sayan Sen Back in 2023, if you recall, Neowin reviewer Robbie Khan had a dispute with Samsung over his 990 Pro SSD, which was rapidly losing its health. After significant back and forth, the tech giant had finally released firmware to "stop" the issue. Interestingly, its previous flagship at the time, the 980 Pro was also facing problems leading to two consecutive sets of firmware fixes. Three years later, it looks like a similar conflict has now broken out between tech repair entrepreneur YouTuber Louis Rossmann and Samsung, as it has escalated into a threatened lawsuit after the company allegedly refused to appropriately replace a failing 990 Pro SSD that remained under warranty. According to Rossmann, a 4TB Samsung 990 Pro NVMe SSD purchased for approximately $330 less than two years ago, began experiencing major hiccups and issues, even though he claims it had been operated under ideal cooling conditions. It was installed in a RAID 1 array and cooled by a heatsink and dual high-speed fans. However the drive reportedly started dropping out of the array, exhibiting controller-level failures that eventually became not useable in any meaningful way. Rossmann said Samsung’s support process was marked by delays and confusion from the very start. After initially contacting the wrong regional support channel, he was redirected to Samsung’s memory support division where he submitted detailed diagnostics, logs, and proof of purchase. Rossmann runs a repair company and owns an ACE Lab PC-3000 machine, which is a professional-grade data recovery equipment. As such, he had been confident in his diagnostics. Samsung even seemingly acknowledged that later. Regardless, Rossmann claims that his initial support ticket was automatically closed before a full 24-hour response window had elapsed, forcing him to reopen the case and resubmit documentation. The controversy however intensified further from here after Samsung accepted the drive for warranty evaluation but later returned it with a repair report stating that the drive had passed its testing and that the SSD had been verified as functional. Rossmann strongly disputed those claims citing that his own independent testing on PC-3000 showed write speeds reducing to as low as 40–60 MB/s before the drive failed entirely. Samsung subsequently informed him that the SSD had been reset and reflashed, passing internal stress tests. However, the company also stated that replacement units were unavailable due to an industry-wide memory shortage and suggested that a refund process could be initiated if further testing confirmed the fault. Thus, to settle, the company offered a refund of $330, the amount that was initially paid by him to make the purchase. Here, Rossmann pointed out the seeming hypocrisy of the tech giant as in how no Samsung drive was apparently allocated for warranty replacements, but they were abundantly available for retail sales especially when using business accounts. As you can see, Rossmann is indeed right, there are Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSDs on Amazon currently for $950 (shipped and sold by first-party Amazon US itself), and they are also available on Samsung's own store too, albeit for an even higher price of $1100. Thus Rossmann argues that Samsung’s inability or unwillingness to provide a replacement while the same model remains available for purchase at significantly higher market prices reflects a failure to honor its warranty obligations. He has issued a formal 60-day notice and says he intends to file suit in Texas small claims court, asserting that companies should face greater costs for denying legitimate warranty claims than for fulfilling them. You can check out the full video titled "Samsung's 990 Pro SSD warranty policy is a scam; I'm taking them to court," at the link below. Source and image: Louis Rossmann (YouTube) As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases
    • Was it too much to ask to show the icon in this article?
    • Frankly, I blame whoever is writing such articles. "A big improvement/update and/or new feature is now available to everyone! Also, use this unofficial tweak tool to enable it because it actually isn't available to you yet officially and might not in fact even be entirely ready or whatever, hence why it is perhaps not enabled for you*. But it's great and you should enable it!" I mean there's nothing wrong with sharing info about some feature you might need to enable via unofficial means, of course. It's just that these articles tend to essentially end up being two news pieces in one, and one of them tends to be a bit misleading. (*Yes, yes, the "it's a controlled rollout!" thing. Not a fan of that one either. The argument, not the actual rollout.)
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      davidbazooked earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Jamswaz earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Jamswaz earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Rookie
      Marzoid went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Community Regular
      coch went up a rank
      Community Regular
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      509
    2. 2
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      185
    3. 3
      +Edouard
      158
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      83
    5. 5
      ATLien_0
      75
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!