What to use to customize xp?

[aeros69]

Hi.

I was thinking about switching how xp looks on my pc and was wondering what program to use to give me a complete visual style, ie icons,menus,fonts etc.I havent played around with customizations too much and any advice would be cool

Also wouldnt mind a visual style that looks like an apple os....

Also new icons for existing programs ie explorer.

What program to use? if any?

Best place to find downloads?

How to customize without messing os up( not sure if any customs could or couldnt)

Thanks

[russ0943]

deviantart.com

[aeros69]

  russ0943 said:

deviantart.com

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Thanks, what program u use?

[#Michael]

Let's start with how to change the look of XP:

1. With the built in theme engine (patched uxtheme.dll) https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=140707

*Intro guide to XP customizing

*FAQ: WB vs.StyleXP vs. Uxtheme

2. Windowblinds: Custom 3rd party theme engine: http://www.windowblinds.net

Chaninging Icons

1. Programs that do that for you

*Iconpackager, iconphile

2. Reshack the shell32.dll and system files yourself

* more time comsuming and requires more knowledge but changes a lot more icons

Where TO get themes at:

*Neowin

*Wincustomize.com

*Customize.org

*Deviantart.com

*gfxoasis.com

*studiotwentyeight.com

*aqua-soft.com

*aero-soft.com

Where NOT to go to get themes/icons:

*themexp.org (most of the themes there come wrapped with spyware/adware)

Now then, the best way to make sure to not mess up your machine is to not mess with any of the critical system files. That means not patching the uxtheme and not reshacking the files and changing icons. Of course you should always do a system restore point when you play around just to be safe.

I use windowblinds along with iconpackager and a few others to create a unique desktop for myself. It is as close to an os x desktop as I choose to make it. I like having some XP elements in it still.

Here is the link to my desktop picture as it appears in the June desktop thread over in the GD forum: https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=326531&st=52

Hope that helps.

Edited June 28, 2005 by AthleticTrainer1981

[aeros69]

Thanks for the help athletic, thats exactly what i needed to know :)

[randall.medrano]

yes... that was one of the best resumes of customizing ive ever seen

[dreamz Veteran]

that was a good post, AthleticTrainer1981.

so, in short:

visual styles = use the uxtheme hack.

windowblinds is more extensive and thorough.

reshacker is the tool of choice among customizers. here's a little snapshot of what you can do with it: http://wint.virtualplastic.net/

if you learn how to use reshacker (which is very easy anyway), you can do so much more.

icons:

-iconphile, icontweaker, icon packager.

-reshack system files (much more flexible, extensive, but time-consuming).

[#Michael]

  Quote

cons:

-iconphile, icontweaker, icon packager.

-reshack system files (much more flexible, extensive, but time-consuming).

I knew there was more programs out there for icons, I just coun't remember the names when I made the post.

[dreamz Veteran]

  AthleticTrainer1981 said:

I knew there was more programs out there for icons, I just coun't remember the names when I made the post.

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no worries. icontweaker was quite popular, so i thought i should mention it.

[aeros69]

Kool which program would u say would be better? Style xp, or windowblinds?

Also that anyone knows of is there adware packed with either one?

[dreamz Veteran]

  aeros69 said:

Kool which program would u say would be better? Style xp, or windowblinds?

Also that anyone knows of is there adware packed with either one?

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this has been discussed before: https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?act=...xp+windowblinds

as for adware, no, there isn't any in those two.

if you want to use windowblinds themes, use windowblinds. if you want to use visual styles, use the uxtheme hack. there's no reason to ever use stylexp.

[Matt A. Tobin]

Someone should pin this its a better down to earth intro to an introduction of customizing heh

[sacrifist]

i prefer style xp over windowblinds...if you dont purchase wb there is a stupid splash screen that you have to click continue on everytime you start windows and it gets very annoying, but there are alot of excellent wb themes

[dreamz Veteran]

  Sacrifst said:

i prefer style xp over windowblinds...if you dont purchase wb there is a stupid splash screen that you have to click continue on everytime you start windows and it gets very annoying, but there are alot of excellent wb themes

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but why stylexp? you need to pay for that too.

the uxtheme hack is completely free and better, in my opinion, than stylexp for using visual styles.

and wb doesn't cost that much.

[#Michael]

  dreamz said:

but why stylexp?  you need to pay for that too.

the uxtheme hack is completely free and better, in my opinion, than stylexp for using visual styles.

and wb doesn't cost that much.

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Exactly on both points.

TGTsoft did a terrible job adding new features into stylexp.

Do yourself a big favor and just use the patched uxtheme if you are going to use VS. But if you like what windowblinds has to offer, the cost is very minimal and the enhanced version is great.