Can't use Visual styles?

[Code.Red]

Today when i turned on my computer.. i noticed that my Vis wasnt on so i went to display properties and tried to put my vis on again, but then i got this error:

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Error Loading Visual Styles

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The visual styles could not be loaded because the file failed to load.

Details:

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OK

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And i get that no matter what i choose.. the only one i can have is the classic. windows xp luna and silver etc dont work either...

I dont remember uninstalling/installing anything so i dont think that could be it.. any ideas?

[dreamz Veteran]

is the themes service turned on?

[todd]

Start -> Run -> net start themes -> OK

[Code.Red]

I tried what you just said with the net start themes and a dos prompt came up then disappeared fast, so i tried selecting a vis theme and got the error message again.

When i go Start >> Run >> cmd then type net start themes it says

  Quote

The requested service has already been started.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2182.

When i type NET HELPMSG 2182, it says

  Quote

The requested service has already been started.

EXPLANATION

You tried to start a service that is already running.

ACTION

To display a list of active services, type:

        NET START

Any help? :(

[_R2D2]

I had the same problems when patching my uxtheme.dll with the neowin patcher, downloaded a pre-patched from a site (someone knows the adress?), replaced with replacer - done.

Is the preview still looking like windows classic - even though you have loaded a new? Then do what I did.

[slyydrr]

maybe try using the uxtheme 2.5 path utility, restore your default uxtheme.dll file, and the refer to this thread for patching it "manually": https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=220573

[Code.Red]

OK, kinda late reply here but ived tried everything, replacing manually with replacer etc and nothing.

Here is clarification just in case:

OK, i go to display, then appeareance.. in the first drop down list i choose another vs, and a second after i choose it i get the error i show in first post, and the preview still is on the classic one.

Also, if i chose a different color scheme for the classic , it shows in preview, but when i press Apply (or OK) it seems to be working, but then i get the crashed app thingy with the error report for "Run DLL as an App" and then Display properties window closes and nothing is different..

i tried using SFC /scannow and it did find some stuff but didnt help..

[Code.Red]

Noone??

OK well.. i just found out that my friend uninstalled StyleXP and that is when it started happening.. I don't remember installing StyleXP in the first place but...

Maybe that can help?

[bcheck]

  whcodered said:

The visual styles could not be loaded because the file failed to load.

I have had this exact problem for a while, and finally found a solution that fixed it for me:

http://www.mcse.ms/message1004436.html

[Code.Red]

  bcheck said:

I have had this exact problem for a while, and finally found a solution that fixed it for me:

http://www.mcse.ms/message1004436.html

That looked really promising, but when i tried it it didn't work! Thanks for trying, though!

In the new account, i also tried to change the style there and it didnt work..

[_R2D2]

  whcodered said:

That looked really promising, but when i tried it it didn't work! Thanks for trying, though!

In the new account, i also tried to change the style there and it didnt work..

Read my post.

[Code.Red]

  Quote

OK, kinda late reply here but ived tried everything, replacing manually with replacer etc and nothing.

I did, as I said... I guess I will try again, can't right now though. :pinch: Progress on this later.

In the meantime, all other ideas are welcome!

[chau]

im getting that same message but i've just recently installed SP2 and tried using the uxtheme patch but it screwed it up and now i only get windows classic and get that message when i try something else

[Pabs]

Same problem but I only get the Failed dll as an app.

[Pabs]

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=222547

That's where I posted what worked for me.