Thinking UxTheme? STOP AND READ.

[kryptonate]

I don't have a dllcache folder (yes, every hidden folder is being shown) in system32, but I do find uxtheme.dll in system32 :huh: strange

Edited May 9, 2004 by kryptonate

[Si Veteran]

but I do find uxtheme32.dll

It's uxtheme.dll

[kryptonate]

yeah srry, typefault. I used the Replacer but it f*cked up my themes. I managed to get the original Windows XP to work by using the windows cd but any other theme is screwed :(.

[memNOC]

i really don't see how Replacer/batch files/manual installation seems to work for some and not for others..

in my case (and everyone whom i patched uxtheme on XPPro) manual installation as described by vorte[x] has worked every single time without errors.. i've only done that like 5 or 6 times tho.. the rest, Replacer is the easiest, fastest, and most reliable way to do it..

if a certain method doesn't work for you (and there's no hardware issues, obviously) you're just not doing it right..

i can understand vorte[x]'s frustration and i can just picture the countless messages he gets just because some idiot is dumb enough to get in stuff way over his head..

right on brother (Y).. i hope this will be the last time (christ, it's been 3 years since people started patching uxtheme) you'll have to explain this..

spread the joy.

[propeller]

Thanks. Worked great. Does anyone know if the neowin uxtheme patcher program have an updated dll or an old one?

[fpd]

yeah srry, typefault. I used the Replacer but it f*cked up my themes. I managed to get the original Windows XP to work by using the windows cd but any other theme is screwed :(.

Didnt work for me either. Try it in safe mode :yes:

[bfoos]

Just an addendum to vortex's original post.....

For anyone with doubts as to the safety of patched uxtheme.dll files I highly suggest that you patch your own original source file. Fire up a hex editor and search for 81EC800000005657 (for xp, xpsp1 and some earlier builds of sp2) or 81EC88000000A124 (for sp2 build 2126 (realy not sure when they changed the sub routine) and replace it with 33F68BC6C9C20800 (it's at offset 0x13250 in sp2 build 2126) . Save it and swap it using the manual method.

That way you have complete control over the modding and replacing of your file. :)

.....Hey vortex, is the changing of the last 2 bytes of the file some sort of mark for you?? Just curious.

[CubanPete]

Batch didnt work for so i did it manually but like has already been said windows didnt replace the file in system32 so i had to manually do it before i could start explorer

Thanks!

[Robbie Khan Reviews]

... and when it doesn't work, you'll be the first to complain so. Do it the manual way and save yourself troubleshooting any problems down the line. :yes:

eh. if you use replacer correctly it works 100% just like any other method.

[Celo]

No, DLLCACHE folder here?

[Celo]

Got it, thanks!

Edited May 22, 2004 by Celo

[ToryAmos]

attached is a patched uxtheme.dll from xp pro+sp1a. if anyone wants it

uxtheme.dll.rar

[hornett]

Why not just use the Neowin uxtheme multipatcher, or am I missing something here?

I find it only works in safe mode though...

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=140707

:)

Not meaning to rain on your parade...

[configure Veteran]

Well, it's nice to do it manually so I love it when these guys share how things can be done ;)

[hornett]

Yeah, that's cool.... Just wondering. :) I suppose it's useful in case the multipatcher doesn't work.

[Slimy]

mod should make this a sticky

i just use winstyler in tu2004

saves me tons of time

[A.K.R.]

Before you continue, please don't misinterpret my bluntness as being "full of myself". I'm not, ask around - This is just me.

I'm sick and tired of the constant spewing of misinformation from message board to message board, therefore I took the time out of my schedule to write this up for all current and future users. Read this before wasting someone's time with your stupid questions.

Common Questions

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

https://www.neowin.net/forum/style_images/N...-674/icon11.gif *grumble* Why does Microsoft keep changing the uxtheme.dll?

What are you talking about? This file has undergone very minor alterations. Did you not realize that this file is replaced after the application of a service pack? The signature analysis subroutine that is patched hasn't changed (or changed much) since late Whistler builds.

https://www.neowin.net/forum/style_images/N...-674/icon11.gif Why would I use this altered DLL? This compromises overall security!

The subroutine that's patched simply and effectively skips over the theme signature check. Nothing more nothing less. You should be more worried about letting users use your floppy disk drive. If you still feel uncomfortable using the patched file, then don't and shut up. Spare us having to read your babble.

https://www.neowin.net/forum/style_images/N...-674/icon11.gif Is there a patch for X? Where do I get it?

You can always find the latest UxTheme patches on my site at http://vReality.net (or http://vortex2050.dyndns.org:8080) I do not distribute my patches anywhere else - Mirrors claming such are lying.

https://www.neowin.net/forum/style_images/N...-674/icon11.gif Are you the uxtheme vorte[x]?

Yes and no. I am not the originator of the patch however I do patch newer files to keep current. As far as I know, the original patch was rolled out by TGTSoft as a temporary solution at bypassing the signature checking subroutine (I say temporary because they now use kernel mode drivers/etc. to do the patching on-the-fly).

I do, what I do, to continue offering the public with a totally free alternative to their StyleXP product.

https://www.neowin.net/forum/style_images/N...-674/icon11.gif Do you test your patches? It doesn't (insert adjective here) work!

You obviously do not know what you're doing and/or didn't install it correctly. I have only screwed up one UxTheme in my life, and I rectified the issue and pulled down the invalid file that same hour. It's unlikely you have a bad patch, trust me.

Installation, the correct way.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Ok, now that we cleared that up, here's how you PROPERLY install the patched uxtheme.dll in 3 easy steps. Throw away/delete your silly patchers and whatnot as they're too slow to keep up with new releases. You DO NOT need safe-mode for this - Don't be silly.

https://www.neowin.net/forum/style_images/N...-674/icon11.gif 1) Remove (delete) the uxtheme.dll files in the following directories in the correct order:

- C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 (if path doesn't exist, ignore)

- C:\Windows\System32\Dllcache (hidden directory, duh)

https://www.neowin.net/forum/style_images/N...-674/icon11.gif 2) Copy the patched uxtheme.dll file into C:\Windows\System32\Dllcache folder.

https://www.neowin.net/forum/style_images/N...-674/icon11.gif 3) Rename the uxtheme.dll file in C:\Windows\System32 to uxtheme.original and reboot (ignore windows file protection errors)

An alternative to using the steps above would be to use a simple batch script (put in same dir as patched uxtheme.dll)

@echo off
del /q c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386\uxtheme.dll
del /q c:\windows\system32\dllcache\uxtheme.dll
echo Allowing WFP to do it's work... (cheap sleep hack)
@chkdsk >nul
copy uxtheme.dll c:\windows\system32\dllcache\uxtheme.dll
ren c:\windows\system32\uxtheme.dll c:\windows\system32\uxtheme.original
@shutdown -r -c "Restarting! shutdown -a to abort!" -t 10

Hope that helps clear up some things - I'll add onto this, should the need arise!

Revision 01: Spelling mistake of the word 'compromises'.

Revision 02: Fixed batch (Thanks Liquid)

Revision 03: Added disclaimer to beginning of post

Revision 04: Cleared up batch file usage.

Thanks for creating this FAQ. Mods, please make this a sticky.

[bfoos]

attached is a patched uxtheme.dll from xp pro+sp1a. if anyone wants it

Thanks for sharing but, that uxtheme is the same for ALL versions of XP SP1. :)

[vortex2050]

Hey vortex, is the changing of the last 2 bytes of the file some sort of mark for you?? Just curious.

It's for source control.

[bfoos]

It's for source control.

Yeah, I gathered that after I posted.... vx=vortex.

Anyway, thanks for responding, and thanks for the patched files. :yes:

On a off topic note.............

You wouldn't happen to know the offset/s for sfc_os.dll xpsp2 build 2126, would ya?

[Banzai]

I think this should be in the guides forum, it needs to be filled a bit more.

[QuarterSwede]

Awesome guide! Thanks for the help.

[QuarterSwede]

Yeah, that's cool.... Just wondering. :) I suppose it's useful in case the multipatcher doesn't work.

I thought the post was great because there isn't a multipatcher for SP2 yet (that I could find). This Guide worked perfectly.

Mod sticky please!

[Nelsinho]

Hi friend Vortex 2050

Congratulations, congratulations and again congratulations

YOU are the best friend on the WEB is true, why I never more have problems with Uxtheme.dll since first builds of SP2, your patch is perfect without comments, only congratulations.