How to use the UXTheme Multi-Patcher

[1o9]

Don't know what it is?: Information/Download Here

Beginner's Guide:

1. Download the file from the link provided above

2. Extract the file to the desktop (or a place you will absolutely remember)

3. Reboot your machine, and hammer on the "F8" key after the inital-bios screen, you should see a menu popup.

4. Select "Safe Mode"

5. Click "Yes" to the dialog that will popup.

6. Look for "UXTheme Multi-Patcher (Neowin Edition) 1.01" on your desktop and Open it.

7. Click "Patch" and it will prompt you in a few seconds with a dialog box asking you to restart...

8. Wait at least 15-20 seconds before clicking "Restart"

9. Your machine will restart, let it boot into WindowsXP normally and give it another 15-20 seconds time to think about things after it loads the desktop.

10. Your done, if you don't know how to add themes, refer to "Adding Themes/Styles" below.

Regular Guide:

1. Download the archive (link above) and throw the file on your desktop.

2. Reboot, go into safe mode.

3. Run the file, wait 15-20 seconds after the dialog pops up asking you to restart...

4. Restart, load WindowsXP normally and enjoy the new world of Themes :)

Adding Themes/Styles

Any StyleXP compatible theme will work.

Put the *.Theme/*.Style file in the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\ directory.

Then go into Display Properties and it should be under "Appearance" if the patcher worked correctly.

Theme Resources

ThemeXP.org

deviantART: Visual Styles

Neowin.net: Completed Visual Styles

GetSkinned.org: MS Styles

If you have critism/suggestions/whatever else (such as links to add), please just PM me!

Thanks for the sticky!

Edited February 5, 2004 by 1o9

[1o9]

I would like to make note that I made this guide as I've seen alot of people that are totally baffled on howto install the theme patcher.

Not to insult the experts at neowin of course ;)

[1o9]

*bump*

[Flash]

Good guide! I think this should be stickied because of "how to get themes" or "how do i install...." topics appearing often.

[kylejn]

Cool; the patch never did work for me, but I never thought to do it in Safe Mode. I've always just installed StyleXP and disabled it (StyleXP), leaving StyleXP's patch enabled.

Thanks!

[uniacidz]

  1o9 said:

I would like to make note that I made this guide as I've seen alot of people that are totally baffled on howto install the theme patcher.

Not to insult the experts at neowin of course ;)

Nice guide.

As for insulting anyone, nah. But as far as the question about patching UXtheme files etc with patches, alot of the users here dont do a good search and so thats why you get these threads all the time.

I honestly believe that one day a UXtheme thread should be sticky.

Edited November 26, 2003 by Davey

[1o9]

Thanks everyone!

If you have any suggestions on how I can improve this guide, please tell me!

[Zip]

well its sticky now! i was looking for the link for the patche, i forgot what forum it was in... aww well.

great guide!

i'd just like to add http://www.getskinned.org themenorth is amazing

[1o9]

  Tyler Durden said:

well its sticky now! i was looking for the link for the patche, i forgot what forum it was in... aww well.

great guide!

i'd just like to add http://www.getskinned.org themenorth is amazing

Thanks for the link and sticky! I added GetSkinned to the guide. :cool:

[Iain]

Erm, I never had to go into the BIOS or anything. Just patch 'n' play!

[1o9]

  Pulse said:

Erm, I never had to go into the BIOS or anything. Just patch 'n' play!

It's a 50/50 situation, sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.

[DeKay]

is this a definite change or there's an option to uninstal lthe changes this does ?

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

nevermind, it is, but then if i understand correctly, if i want to patch windows after having patched uxtheme, i need to unpatch that file first?

[1o9]

  DeKay said:

is this a definite change or there's an option to uninstal lthe changes this does ?

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

nevermind, it is, but then if i understand correctly, if i want to patch windows after having patched uxtheme, i need to unpatch that file first?

err, yes?

[Moker]

hey thx 1o9,

it supports dual monitors correct?

[martinsc]

nice guide... (Y) good for beginners...:)

should get a sticky ...

[1o9]

  martinsc said:

nice guide... (Y) good for beginners...:)

should get a sticky ...

Ether I'm blind or it is a sticky :D

[1o9]

  Moker said:

hey thx 1o9,

it supports dual monitors correct?

It should do! I can't see in any possible way it wouldn't! :)

[JoHideo]

I've personally found more success in this program

PatchXP.exeFetching info...

[Babs]

Looks like we'll need a new version of the patcher for XP SP2 now.

[CoLdFuSi0n]

yea we do :(

[freakyfriday]

this patch works fine for me.. all i do is just run it in normal mode, reboot and i can use themes

[1o9]

  freakyfriday said:

this patch works fine for me.. all i do is just run it in normal mode, reboot and i can use themes

Yeah,

Some people including me had to do it in Safe Mode. I'm not sure why this is but perhaps one of the neowin ubergeeks can explain.

[DeKay]

  JoHideo said:

I've personally found more success in this program

looks like we're in the same basket...

that files works much better, any idea why?

[iron2000]

Can't get this to work after doing a HP non-desuctive recovery.

Always get this error(see pic) in either normal or safe mode.

Tried the manual method but didn't work.

How can I work the patch?

[EDIT] Patched it using PatchXP and it worked!

Edited December 23, 2003 by iron2000

[jay rod]

if you are not in luna you are using stylexp.dll so you have to do safe mode if your theme is in lua naturally then you can replace without using safe mode. I think....