Recommended Posts

WindowBlinds 6.02 is largely a maintenance release of the program fixing some bugs and dealing with some non-standard UI work Microsoft did (like on the Live apps).

It also adds support for the upcoming MyColors 2.0.

Here's the info from WinCustomize:

Stardock has released WindowBlinds 6.02. WindowBlinds is a program that allows users to change the look and feel of Windows XP and Windows Vista by applying a new visual style. Users can download thousands of free visual styles from websites such as WinCustomize.com, deviantART, SkinBase, Customize.org, and more.

Thanks to years of optimization, WindowBlinds not only won't slow down your computer, it is faster than Windows XP or Windows Vista is by default thanks to making use of video acceleration features in ATI, nVidia, and Intel-based video adapters. Moreover, WindowBlinds makes heavy use of resource sharing and as a result typically uses less memory than when using the default Windows XP or Windows Vista visual styles.

WindowBlinds 6.02 is a maintenance release designed fix some reported bugs, improve skin changing speed, and add support for MyColors themes.

WindowBlinds is a free download at
http://www.windowblinds.net
. Users can purchase an enhanced registered version which adds additional functionality for $19.95 (or get it as part of Object Desktop which adds several additional programs and costs $49.95).

Download:
www.windowblinds.net

Here's some screenshots:

wbjan08_thumb.jpg

[full view]

wbjan08a_thumb.jpg

[full view]

Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/614037-windowblinds-602-arrives/
Share on other sites

MyColors themes are where the theme itself includes all the software you need to run them. So for instance you might want to apply the Corvette (car) theme, the theme itself would provide stubs of WindowBlinds, IconPackager, gadgets, etc. under the covers so that users don't have to worry about whether they have a certain program or not.

Here's a tour of it:

http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=172162

20080107_2109.png

Sweet, thanks =) I couldn't live without WindowBlinds. Need to renew my subscription though =\ Curse Apple charging me $20 for an update..*shakes fist*.

EDIT: Offtopic a bit here, but might I ask when Stardock Central will get a UI update? I just find it pales in comparison to all the other spiffy looking programs. It might have already, but whenever I open it, it seems to update. (I only say that because my subscription's been out for a while now, and I was thinking I might need the subscription up to update it properly).

Sweet, thanks =) I couldn't live without WindowBlinds. Need to renew my subscription though =\ Curse Apple charging me $20 for an update..*shakes fist*.

EDIT: Offtopic a bit here, but might I ask when Stardock Central will get a UI update? I just find it pales in comparison to all the other spiffy looking programs. It might have already, but whenever I open it, it seems to update. (I only say that because my subscription's been out for a while now, and I was thinking I might need the subscription up to update it properly).

Stardock Central is an endangered species. Its replacement comes within a matter of weeks actually and provides a state of the art experience in every sense of the term.

Stardock Central is an endangered species. Its replacement comes within a matter of weeks actually and provides a state of the art experience in every sense of the term.

That's what I like to hear =) Good job, Frogboy. Might have to renew my subscription 'coz of this :)

Both those themes are really ugly. Anyone want to entice me with some more beautiful ones?
Eminence: http://rjsmith2007.deviantart.com/art/Eminence-36197070

Aerial: http://danillooc.deviantart.com/art/aerial-33781910

WTM: http://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?ski...349&libid=1

They are some of my favorites.

One to look over when it will be released: http://mrrste.deviantart.com/art/Coming-Soon-74538400

Wow those are some super themes, I think I'm going to reinstall WindowBlinds just to have a look!

I like the look of Aerial (even though I'd probably never use it) but the upcoming theme looks even better... finally something to rival Vista's default theme? We'll have to wait and see but it's the first theme that's caught my interest in a long while (since LunaElement2). I just hope they don't mess it up - the fonts already look a bit dodgy.

+1 for Eminence. I've used that theme for as long as I can remember :)

MyColors themes are where the theme itself includes all the software you need to run them. So for instance you might want to apply the Corvette (car) theme, the theme itself would provide stubs of WindowBlinds, IconPackager, gadgets, etc. under the covers so that users don't have to worry about whether they have a certain program or not.

Here's a tour of it:

http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=172162

Snip

Stardock used to have a similar application right? I can't remember the name right now but I remember using an application just like that by Stardock some time back.

It's there since WB 6.00, but has been improved along the way in 6.01
OK, thanks - I've been looking into buying WB since visual styles aren't Vista x64's thing and you've got a bit more freedom with it, however I couldn't find anything on the stardock site or their forums that 64 bit support was already implemented, just talk about beta's. Great to hear this though

I love how the release notes always state "speed improvements" for every single version they've ever released. I mean come on...

Maybe they do make it a little faster each release, but I doubt it's noticable. Maybe .004 seconds faster or something, enough so they can say that without lying. :laugh:

I just hope they don't mess it up - the fonts already look a bit dodgy.

With WB6 you can change the font and the font size, along with the ability to change the color of the skin as well. Here is a quick walkthrough of the new UI and features in WB6.

http://islanddog.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=164792

OK, thanks - I've been looking into buying WB since visual styles aren't Vista x64's thing and you've got a bit more freedom with it, however I couldn't find anything on the stardock site or their forums that 64 bit support was already implemented, just talk about beta's. Great to hear this though

Yes, there is support for both x64 XP and Vista. :)

Thanks for the update, had to get it via the email update as it kept failing through SC. Just tried that aero executive wood theme thingy( saw thread was closed ) anyway was going to mention it would look good with a black ash sub theme as well as the bright red cherry/maple look but remembered the remove colour in theme options, and i think it looks bloody stunning.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • I think he means you haven't reviewed previous UFC games. Of course it doesn't matter... Every time you just report on something that involves the President even if just simply what happened you guys usually get accused of being anti-Trump. We live in fun times.
    • So how did you solve the problem? Disabling Secure Boot isn’t a solution.
    • Another devilish issue surrounding these certificates is what can happen with old, unsuspecting PCs that nevertheless have Secure Boot enabled. In my case, it was a Dell with a 3rd-gen Core chip (so about 13 years old). As of the last few weeks, it was suddenly BSOD'g within about 5 minutes of booting. Turns out it was because of MS's "Secure-Boot-Update" scheduled task, which is scheduled to run 5 minutes after login. It's explained in gory detail here (this is not my post, but it was where I found the answer), but the short version is that this legacy system would need fairly elaborate, manual certificate intervention since MS's automatic cert update method cannot work. How to do that is linked late in the thread. https://www.bleepingcomputer.c...od-caused-by-scheduled-task Secure Boot wasn't at all important for this particular PC, so I disabled it to be done with the problem.
    • Winhance 26.06.12 by Razvan Serea Winhance is an open-source Windows enhancement utility designed to help users debloat, optimize, and customize Windows 10 and 11. It provides a user-friendly interface for removing unwanted apps, legacy components, and optional features safely, giving you more control over your system. With Winhance, you can improve performance, reduce clutter, and enhance privacy without the need for a clean install. Beyond basic debloating, Winhance offers extensive optimization tools. Users can tweak power plans, adjust gaming and performance settings, control notifications, and manage Windows Update behavior. Privacy-focused settings allow you to limit telemetry and data collection, while system customization options let you personalize the taskbar, Start menu, Explorer, and Windows themes. Winhance also supports installing or removing software efficiently, including external apps via WinGet integration, streamlining both new setups and daily maintenance. New AI privacy groups have been added for Windows AI, Microsoft Edge AI, and Microsoft Office AI, giving users clearer control over AI-related telemetry and feature usage. In addition, new settings in Gaming & Performance introduce AI taskbar pin toggles, options to remove AI apps, and controls for AI services and scheduled tasks, allowing users to better manage how AI components run in the background and appear in the system. For advanced users and IT professionals, Winhance integrates WIMUtil, a tool for creating custom Windows installation ISOs with automated configuration. You can generate autounattend.xml files, inject drivers, and apply your chosen Winhance settings automatically during installation. Most changes are non-destructive and reversible, with clear explanations in the GUI. Whether you’re optimizing a single PC or managing multiple systems, Winhance delivers a faster, cleaner, and highly personalized Windows experience. The Winhance.Installer.exe includes both Installable and Portable versions during setup. Winhance supports both Windows 10 and Windows 11 64-bit versions. It's regularly updated to ensure compatibility with the latest Windows updates and features. Winhance key features: Debloat Windows – Safely remove unwanted apps, features, and legacy components. Optimize Performance – Tune system settings for speed, responsiveness, and gaming. Privacy Enhancements – Control telemetry, data collection, and notifications. Power Management – Configure power plans and advanced energy settings. Windows Update Control – Adjust update behavior for stability and convenience. Theme Customization – Switch between light/dark mode and adjust system colors. Taskbar & Start Menu Tweaks – Modify layout, icons, and behavior. Explorer Customization – Adjust file explorer appearance and functionality. Software Management – Install/remove Windows apps and optional features. External Apps Installation – Deploy essential apps via WinGet integration. Configuration Management – Save, export, and import Winhance settings easily. Automation with WIMUtil – Create custom Windows ISOs with integrated settings. Autounattend.xml Generator – Automate Windows installations with preconfigured options. Driver Integration – Include current system drivers in custom ISOs. Non-Destructive Changes – Reversible settings with clear explanations in the GUI. Winhance 26.06.12 changelog: Features Builder Mode — build a Winhance config file or autounattend.xml without changing anything on the PC you're sitting at. Flip the new mode switcher to Builder, set everything the way you want it, and save the result as a Winhance config or an autounattend file ready for deployment on other machines. Sponsors & Supporters page — the exit donation dialog is gone. In its place, an in-app page (heart icon or the More menu) recognizes the businesses and individual supporters who keep Winhance free. It works offline and is fully localized. Change History — Winhance now keeps a receipt of everything it does. ChangeHistory.txt records every setting change (before and after values) and every app install or removal, with clear headers for config imports and bulk actions. Open it from the More menu. Hebrew language support — Winhance is now available in 29 languages. New Explorer customizations: desktop icon visibility toggles, This PC folder visibility, an icon cache size setting, and automatic thumbnail cache cleanup. New "All apps view" setting for the redesigned Windows 11 Start menu, and the Windows 11 system tray icons setting is now a dropdown with more control. App-local UI zoom — press Ctrl +/-/0 or use Ctrl+MouseWheel to scale the whole app, just like a browser. New External Apps: EA app, Ubisoft Connect, Battle.net, Rockstar Games Launcher, PowerShell, and Helium Browser. Bug Fixes Layouts no longer clip when the Windows text size slider is set above 100%. Accessibility: Narrator now announces setting names on toggles and dropdowns, previously unlabeled buttons are labeled, and progress updates are announced. Silent updates now respect your custom install location instead of reverting to the default. Cancel in Review Mode no longer clears your app selections. OneNote is now detected correctly for Win32 Click-to-Run installs. Clean Start Menu applies more reliably by also writing the group policy path. WinGet errors are no longer silent — error details now show in the terminal output. Fixed a startup crash on older Windows builds caused by a .NET runtime regression. Config import now converts power setting values correctly and no longer re-applies an already-active power plan. Improvements App icons load noticeably faster and cover almost everything now, including legacy capabilities and optional features — they come from a dedicated, checksum-validated icon repository and are fetched in parallel. Software & Apps polish: per-icon tooltips, extra table columns, an app sort dropdown, relocated search, and a cleaner compact view. A warning now appears when the Connected Devices Platform Service is set to Manual or Disabled, since some Windows features depend on it. Download: Winhance 26.06.12 | 61.5 MB (Open Source) Links: Winhance Website | Github | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Month Later
      Leroy Jethro Gibbs earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Conversation Starter
      flexorcist earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • One Month Later
      AndreaB earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      agatameier earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      agatameier earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      518
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      198
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      147
    4. 4
      ATLien_0
      95
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      77
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!