xxyx Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I downloaded StyleXP, used it, loved it, bla bla. Then my trial ran out and I simply do not want to pay to have it (I am such a bum!). I was wondering if anyone knew of any other programs that enable you to use visual styles (not just themes) but is totally free and trial-less. I guess there is a program to use Windows Blinds but I saw a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages, but it seemed very complicated to use. Fixing patches, .msstyles this and that. :( Thanks for any help, it's appreciated. :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_loblaw Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Use UXTheme Patcher. It's stickied on the forum but it's an old version so search google for UXTheme Patcher version 5 or something like that. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588299713 Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin10018 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Or google for "Styler" (the homepage is down) which is also free. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588300003 Share on other sites More sharing options...
synchro Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Hows about this? https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=283284 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588300178 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxyx Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 synchro said: Hows about this?https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=283284 Holy crap, I used NeoTheme v2 and it did not work. When I went to "install visual style" it said it was already installed, when I went to apply it I got this thing that popped up six or seven times, and it scared the crap out of me because I don't know what it was doing to my laptop. Sorry I can't explain the popup more, it was a black box with a message popping up with it saying basically that's a no-no. It came up almost ten times, and it would of continued if I hadn't closed out NeoTheme (which was hard to do since I didn't have enough time to click the x almost). I'll try UXTheme Patcher but I'm hesitant, I don't understand why I need patchers or patching to use visual styles when StyleXP (from the knowledge i have of it, which isn't much!!) didn't do that.... I'm so confused, sorry I can't explain all of this better. Oh, I also downloaded Samstyle Visual Manager but that seems to not accept my visual styles either. I got all the styles from DeviantArt and they worked perfectly fine with StyleXP so they shouldn't be having a problem now... right? martin10018 said: Or google for "Styler" (the homepage is down) which is also free. I typed in "styler visual" and got Visual Styler, however, all of them are trials. I want a program I can use for a long time for free. But thanks. :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588300225 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NienorGT Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 UXTheme patchers patch a file in XP's system files called UXtheme.dll to enable unsigned themes not made from Microsoft to run. The pop up said that the xp system files as been modified and ask you to re-put the CD of XP for replacing original files. just says NO and it will be ok. Don't worry. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588300261 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamz Veteran Posted February 7, 2007 Veteran Share Posted February 7, 2007 how about reading the stickies? https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=339820 https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=140707 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588300262 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxyx Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Thank you so much! I installed UXTheme and used Samstyle Visual Manager and everything works fine. The reason I used Samstyle was because I'm afraid that NeoTheme will still give me those scary pop-ups, but now that UXTheme is installed do I not have to worry about them? Another question, with Samstyle I have to log off and log back in (switching users doesn't work) for the styles to be there. Does NeoTheme apply the styles without having to log off and back in? Thank you all, really, you saved me. :D Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588300360 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxyx Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Oh! I figured out if I go to the resources folder (under windows, I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about :D) and just double click on the visual style it opens up in display properties and I can use it from there without having to log off and in. But once again, thanks for all your help. :blush: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588300378 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NienorGT Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Yea, you don't need any Visual style manager, Windows as it's own, it just won't "always" refresh itself since it's basically not designed to have new styles. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588300454 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rado354 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Well, I just patched my Windows installation CD so now I can use 3rd party Visual Styles since the first boot (or even totally replace the default theme on the CD) ;) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588300698 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxyx Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 rado354 said: Well, I just patched my Windows installation CD so now I can use 3rd party Visual Styles since the first boot (or even totally replace the default theme on the CD) ;) I don't know what that means..... ?u｀* Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588300927 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Frank B. Subscriber² Posted February 7, 2007 Subscriber² Share Posted February 7, 2007 xxyx said: I don't know what that means..... ?u｀* Quite simple: You can 'slipstream' patches like the uxtheme patch into your Windows CD. This way the desired functionality is available right after you have installed Windows - in this case the ability to use non-Microsoft visual styles. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588301391 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxyx Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 Mephistopheles said: Quite simple: You can 'slipstream' patches like the uxtheme patch into your Windows CD. This way the desired functionality is available right after you have installed Windows - in this case the ability to use non-Microsoft visual styles. Ohhh, thanks. :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588305680 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafael Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 I plan on releasing an application soon entitled "OpenStyler" that should render Uxtheme patches obsolete. Stay tuned. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588444479 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamz Veteran Posted April 2, 2007 Veteran Share Posted April 2, 2007 Rafael said: I plan on releasing an application soon entitled "OpenStyler" that should render Uxtheme patches obsolete. Stay tuned. what will it do exactly? how will it work? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588445623 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMELTN Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Rafael said: I plan on releasing an application soon entitled "OpenStyler" that should render Uxtheme patches obsolete. Stay tuned. sounds interesting. I to would like to know more about it Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588445642 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraftman Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 OpenStyler: http://anti-tgtsoft.com/?p=8 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588445659 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafael Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Patches Uxtheme in memory using my open-source library above. Basically a free StyleXP clone/alternative. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/536826-i-need-a-program-like-stylexp-but-free/#findComment-588450373 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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