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EatIcons for XP


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Would anyone be willing to make a program like EatIcons that functions on Windows XP?

For anyone who doesn't know, EatIcons is a program that removes a majority of Windows icons at start up, as well as the gaps left behind, leaving menus and explorer looking (for the most part) like this. Many people, myself included, who like minimal desktops would love to do away with their icons. Unfortunately, EatIcons only runs on 9x.

I would attempt this myself, but I don't know any programming languages.

If this is against any rules, I apologize. There was already a thread about this in the Customizing Windows XP forum, but it wasn't very productive. I was told I might try posting here.

Thanks for any considerations. :)

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For Windows XP, there's really no need for an application to do this (probably why EatIcons doesn't function on XP). You can create a theme (or someone else can) without any icons.

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I think that EatIcons doesn't function on XP because it was released before XP. I may be, and most likely am, wrong.

Anyway, by "create a theme without any icons", do you mean using blank icons? I've tried replacing a few icons in shell32.dll with blanks, and the results weren't very good. I've also heard from several people that creating a theme with blank icons causes a few problems, and doesn't really provide the same result as EatIcons. For one, blank icons leave odd gaps in the start menu, explorer, and various other menus that can make using your computer awkward. Using blank icons also fails to remove icons in the title and task bars. Most icon themes and packages that I've used also tend to overlook quite a few icons, leaving many that have to be replaced manually (such as icons for certain apps). EatIcons removes ALL icons on your system, save for system tray icons.

I may be misunderstanding you though. If someone could make an icon theme that replicates EatIcons, I would be more than happy. :)

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So, I suppose no one is interested in doing this?

Is there anyway to tell what language EatIcons is written in? Or to see exactly how it does what it does?

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I guesss running it in compatibility mode didn't work? If you didn't try it, try that, though it might screw up your system if it tries to do something that isn't possible in XP :unsure:

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I'm not sure what compatibility mode is. Is it the same as the Program Compatibility Wizard? Because I ran the Compatibility Wizard and recieved an error message.

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Well... TweakUIXP is an application that lets you customize every single feature about windows XP. And combined with StyleXP... your windows will be 100% customizable.

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Well... TweakUIXP is an application that lets you customize every single feature about windows XP. And combined with StyleXP... your windows will be 100% customizable.

I didn't know you could disable all icons with TweakUI or StyleXP. How do you do it? :huh:

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You can create a theme (or someone else can) without any icons.

Ane everytime I want to have no icons I have to create a new theme with "the current theme as a template ? :huh:

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It's been 4 months now since I made this thread, and I know that there are rules prohibiting the resurrection of old forum posts, but I was curious that there may be new members here now who'd be interested in this topic. If a mod considers this spam, please delete it with my apologies.

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It's not feasible and useful to waste time in writing such application as previously mentioned, you can customize such a layout by doing some manual hacking and tweaking, it purely depends on what you want to remove, and how customised you want your desktop to be, not everyone enjoys a minimal desktop, i personally don't since i do need to use my shortcuts, it just defeats the purpose for shortcuts. Why don't you list down what you want removed etc etc and how want things changed, and post in the Customizing Windows XP forum, and i'm sure they'd be glad to help.

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There have previously been two threads about EatIcons, and no one has come up with a way to do this by manual hacking.

EatIcons removes icons from the start menu, quick launch, the title bar, task bar, desktop, and explorer, along with the gaps left behind. As far I know, it doesn't remove system tray icons. I could post that list in 'Customizing Windows XP' or 'Cursors, Icons, & Wallpapers' and do all of the manual hacking required (which would be terribly extensive, incomplete, and most likely recurring work), but it still wouldn't give the same effect as EatIcons.

The best solution so far leaves behind gaps in menus and icons in the title and task bar, and blacks out the start menu on reboot.

I understand if you don't enjoy a minimal desktop, and no one would be forcing you to use a program like this. But for those who do enjoy minimalism, a program like EatIcons makes just as much sense for XP as it does for 98.

That said, if no one would be willing to try to make this program, could someone at least read the code or something (I've no clue what I'm talking about here) and see how it works? Is it even possible on XP? I tried opening it in Resource Hacker, but received an error message.

Thanks.

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