Recommended Posts

Changelog

 

20-06-14: Warning for uxstyle issue

13-06-14: First revision

 

 

Download themes
 
Windows 8.1 themes can be found on multiple places:

 

 

Install themes
 
Your system must be patched  to support 3rd party themes, there are multiple methods available for this:

The big difference between these two methods is that Uxstyle injects code into the memory and Uxtheme patches the uxtheme.dll file to modify the windows theme signature requirements.

 
methods_neowin_by_seahorsepip-d7m7sjf.pn

 
The theme files are inside a .zip file in most cases which must be opened first to get the actual files, this file can be opened with windows itself by doubble click or with programs like 7-zip and winrar. Sometimes the theme files are inside a .rar file, this file can not be opened by windows itself and must be opened with programs like 7-zip and winrar.
 
The theme consists of 1 file and 1 folder(with folders and files inside it) in most cases, as example:
-example.theme (file)
-example (folder)

--Shell (folder inside example)

---NormalColor (folder inside Shell)

----en-US (folder inside NormalColor)

-----shellstyle.dll.mui (folder inside NormalColor)

----shellstyle.dll (file inside NormalColor)

--example.msstyles (file inside example)

 
Copy this file and folder of your theme to C:/Windows/Resources/Themes.
On most PC's the windows partition letter is C but it can be also a different letter.
 
To apply your theme go to Control Panel\Appearance and Personalisation\Personalisation and select your theme.

 

 

Create themes

 

Themes for windows 8.1 can be created with Windows Style Builder: http://vistastylebuilder.com/

This is not freeware, if you want to create themes for free you can try modifying aero.msstyles with a resource editor.

 

 

Change icons
 
Icons can be modified in multiple ways:

 

Help?

 

If you have any trouble with installing a theme or something else feel free to reply to this thread or to create a new thread.

 

Suggestions, improvements, additional information?

 

You can post a comment or sent me a private message about it.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1217859-guide-for-windows-customization/
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Having a bit of an issue after installing the UXtheme patcher...

 

post-438852-0-36176300-1403965349.jpg

 

This is happening to the start screen, and explorer.exe is crashing. Know of any reasons why this happening?

 

I really liked your Sharp Flat theme and wanted to give it a go, can't even copy the theme over before Explorer crashes.

  • 1 year later...
  • 2 months later...
  On 29/11/2015 at 04:38, illage3 said:

Can UXStyle be used on Windows 10?

Expand  

Yes

For pre november update(Build 10586) windows 10 you can use uxstyle or uxtheme depending on which you prefer. If you got the november update(Build 10586) you have to use a workaround to get themes working which is a combination of uxtheme and uxstyle: http://www.cleodesktop.com/2015/11/install-uxthemepatcher-for-windows-10.html

 

I'll update the OP with this info in a minute.

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 8 months later...
  • Daniel F. unpinned this topic
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • Customers are the only way restaurants make money to pay their employees.  Customers pay for the food supply... the power bill... the rent... and yes payroll.  Without customers... restaurants wouldn't have a business.   The problem here is that people get upset when they see extra fees on their bill. If a restaurant charged $16 for a cheeseburger... no one would care. But if it's broken down to $13 for the cheeseburger and $3 for the extra fee... then people get bothered.  People don't like fees... or simply the appearance of fees. It's like concert tickets.  You buy a ticket for $50 and then you must also pay $25 in fees. Why not just just charge $75 for the ticket? In the end it's the same price... but it feels different.
    • Sony started with 70 Euro games, Nintendo with 80 Euro games.
    • It has only been about 2 years since Microsoft raised prices from $60 to $70! I don't think it's a good idea they are doing it again so soon. Instead of raising prices, manage game development budgets better.
    • Intel's 20-core Ultra 7 processor is now available with a massive discount by Taras Buria The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, Intel's latest 20-core desktop processor, is getting more affordable. Now, the chip is available on Amazon with a 36% discount, saving you $144, which you can spend on a higher-spec graphics card, better cooling, a bigger SSD, or some new games. If you want to build a computer with the discounted Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, you will need a motherboard with the LGA 1851 socket and 800 series chipset. The Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 cores, 8 of which are performance cores, and 12 are efficiency cores operating at lower clocks for less demanding tasks. Performance cores have the maximum clock speed of 5.4GHz, while efficiency cores peak at 4.6GHz. However, the processor is unlocked, which means you can push those clocks higher if you have enough cooling and a motherboard that supports overclocking. Speaking of cooling, the processor has a TDP of 125W. A cooler is not included in the box, so do not forget to add one to your shopping cart. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K has 30MB of level 3 cache (L3). It works with DDR5 memory (rated for 6,400 MT/s) and has a built-in graphics at 2GHz, which is enough for image output, media consumption, and all sorts of tasks that do not require a lot of GPU power. There is also a neural processing unit with 13 TOPS, which can handle on-device AI processing. Intel Core Ultra 7 Desktop Processor 265K 5.5 GHz - $259.99 | $144 off on Amazon US This Amazon deal is US-specific and not available in other regions unless specified. If you don't like it or want to look at more options, check out the Amazon US deals page here. Get Prime (SNAP), Prime Video, Audible Plus or Kindle / Music Unlimited. Free for 30 days. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • It's stuff like this countries like Denmark are giving up by switching to Linux. Good luck to them.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      bukro earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Year In
      Wulle earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Wulle earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      Simmo3D earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Simmo3D earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      552
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      246
    3. 3
      +FloatingFatMan
      167
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      121
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      95
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!