I Need A Program Like StyleXP but Free

By xxyx
in Tips, Tweaks & Customization

 Share

Recommended Posts

Rookie

xxyx

Posted
Posted

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. :)

Rookie

xxyx

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  synchro said:

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. :)

Grand Master

NienorGT

Posted
Posted

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.

Rookie

xxyx

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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

Rookie

xxyx

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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:

Grand Master

+Frank B. Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted
  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.

Rookie

xxyx

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  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. :)

  • 1 month later...
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • No more catfishing? Tinder is now requiring facial recognition in this US state

      By Liberi_Fatali · Posted

      Well... that's one way to voice your insecurities I guess.
    • PROJECT HAIL MARY

      By LittleNeutrino · Posted

      Im not sure how I feel about most of the trailing being about earth stuff, when none of the book takes place there, but the Rocky bits look cool!, I've been excited for this, and honestly surprised that Artimes never got a movie.
    • Here are all the new features Microsoft added to Teams in June 2025

      By Usama Jawad96 · Posted

      Here are all the new features Microsoft added to Teams in June 2025 by Usama Jawad Microsoft Teams is one of the most used software when it comes to online communication and collaboration, especially in enterprise environments. Even though there are still many features that people want in Teams, Microsoft tries to appease as many as it can with regular updates to the tool. Now, the Redmond tech firm has published a roundup of all the capabilities it added to Teams during the month of June 2025. Starting off with chat and collaboration improvements, we have an enhanced spellchecker offering support in up to three languages, with users being given the ability to add corrections to their personal dictionary too. In addition, the new chat and channels experience is now rolling out to Government Community Cloud (GCC) customers. Next, we have improvements to the meetings, webinars, and town halls experience. Loop-powered meeting notes are now available for GCC-High and Department of Defense (DoD) customers, and non-Teams users have the ability to join town hall meetings through Cloud Video Interoperability (CVI) join codes. It is also possible for those invited to join town halls and and webinars using sign-in details, such as PSTN. In a similar vein, town hall organizers can select individuals to manage the screen that is being shown to attendees. Organizers have more control over the broadcast of notifications too, and can also pull in a participant into the call directly and have them present their screen seamlessly. Lastly, town hall usage reports are now available in Teams Admin Center for additional insights. For those more interested on the hardware side of things, the following devices are now Teams-certified: Yealink MeetingBoard Pro MTRA Series-65, 75, and 86 inch Logitech 4K Pro Webcam (for consumer) Logitech Brio Ultra HD Pro Business Webcam (for business) Yealink RoomPanel E2 (8-inch) and E2 Plus (10 inch) Logitech Rally Board 65 + Tap IP for Teams Rooms on Android (wireless) Crestron Videobar 70 EPOS ADAPT 660 USB-C PolyStudio V12 Logitech Zone 305 (with native Bluetooth) That's not all, though. There are several other enhancements present across frontline worker solutions, security, and Teams Phone and Rooms. Read about them in detail here.
    • Here are the top 5 features people still want in Microsoft Teams

      By Mrwhatever85 · Posted

      not if the other person can see the nickname you are setting ?
    • Everyone seems powerless against Oracle's ownership of the JavaScript trademark

      By leonsk29 · Posted

      Sure, buddy, sure... let's compare the contents of the article to the stupid thumbnail, it's clearly the same thing and it has the same importance, of course.

  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      dennis Nebeker earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Year In
      timothytoots earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      CHUNWEI earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      TIGOSS earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • First Post
      henryj earned a badge
      First Post

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      466
    2. 2
      +FloatingFatMan
      194
    3. 3
      ATLien_0
      163
    4. 4
      Xenon
      78
    5. 5
      Som
      73
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!