Replace explorer.exe in Vista


Recommended Posts

I have started to mod my Vista to look more like Longhorn... I have modded some bitmaps on the startmenu and now I want to replace the original explorer with my modded one.

In XP I always used Replacer to make the changes... I now see that I can?t make it work in Vista.

Can someone give me a "heads up" on how to change explorer.exe safely?

I have got the impression that Replacer should work on vista, but when I drag the original explorer.exe to the commandwindow nothing happens...

Please help me?

Magnus, Sweden

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Start Windows in Safe Mode, kill explorer.exe, rename explorer.exe then move the new explorer.exe over to C:\Windows\

Should be all pretty easy to do in command prompt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Start Windows in Safe Mode, kill explorer.exe, rename explorer.exe then move the new explorer.exe over to C:\Windows\

Should be all pretty easy to do in command prompt

In a command prompt..? Ok, when I have killed explorer.exe I need some commands to move my modded explorer.exe to C:\Windows? What do I need to write in the command prompt?

Mange, Sweden

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never mind... I made it work with Replacer after all. Instead of dragging the files into the commandwindow I just wrote the paths at the promt... worked like a charm!

Thanx anyway!

Magnus

Link to comment
Share on other sites

An easier way to do it is to just rename it while it's in use. Drop another in there. Restart explorer. There's no need to boot into safe mode or kill it then rename it.

Yeah, i was just about to say that.. I dont really see the problem.. Did you even try the most obvious way? (the one panda mentioned)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

An easier way to do it is to just rename it while it's in use. Drop another in there. Restart explorer. There's no need to boot into safe mode or kill it then rename it.

That's what i'd do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
An easier way to do it is to just rename it while it's in use. Drop another in there. Restart explorer. There's no need to boot into safe mode or kill it then rename it.

And how ?

I can't touch this ****ing file

I can't even rename my vista explorer.exe when i'm on my XP session :/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont have the ownership option for explorer.exe

I can only Launch it as Administrator and if i try to change the security option i have an error, impossible to save the modifications (acces error) :(

Edited by Jeager
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys. This was the exact same thing I was trying to figure out when applying the new Windows 7 theme that has been posted around the internet.

1) In Vista, go to Control Panel.

2) Use search keywords "group policy". There should only be one search result for Administrative tools with the a link to "edit group policy", select this. Accept any UAC prompts.

3) Click through folders: User Configuration>Administrative Templates>System>Custom User Interface

4) By default, "Not configured" option is probably selected. Select "Enabled". The text field below will light up.

5) Enter the destination for the explorer.exe file you wish to use. For convenience, move the new explorer.exe into your C drive and then type in "C:\explorer.exe" into the text field.

6) Click OK to apply new settings and close window. There might be a quick desktop flicker as the new explorer.exe takes effect.

7) If you need to revert back to the default Vista explorer.exe, simply go back to this setting and choose the "not configured" option.

Hope this helps!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And how ?

I can't touch this ****ing file

I can't even rename my vista explorer.exe when i'm on my XP session :/

Ok then. Take ownership of the file then follow my instructions.

Take ownership with this: http://www.askvg.com/take-control-easy-way...-windows-vista/

I dont have the ownership option for explorer.exe

I can only Launch it as Administrator and if i try to change the security option i have an error, impossible to save the modifications (acces error) :(

Don't know why I chose to quote this. Above reply still takes.

Hey guys. This was the exact same thing I was trying to figure out when applying the new Windows 7 theme that has been posted around the internet.

1) In Vista, go to Control Panel.

2) Use search keywords "group policy". There should only be one search result for Administrative tools with the a link to "edit group policy", select this. Accept any UAC prompts.

3) Click through folders: User Configuration>Administrative Templates>System>Custom User Interface

4) By default, "Not configured" option is probably selected. Select "Enabled". The text field below will light up.

5) Enter the destination for the explorer.exe file you wish to use. For convenience, move the new explorer.exe into your C drive and then type in "C:\explorer.exe" into the text field.

6) Click OK to apply new settings and close window. There might be a quick desktop flicker as the new explorer.exe takes effect.

7) If you need to revert back to the default Vista explorer.exe, simply go back to this setting and choose the "not configured" option.

Hope this helps!

Good lord. Honestly. "House is on fire, drive 4 hours to a remote lake and get a bucket of water. Oops, no bucket. Drive 30 minutes to purchase a bucket. Drive back another 30 minutes fill up the bucket. Drive back 4 hours to your house to put out the fire." Equivalent to what you suggested.

I just use XYplorer. It is far superior than Windows Explorer.

Here's a tip. He asked to replace it with a different version with new bitmaps. Not for a whole shell. Read. Or at least use logic if you did read.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a tip. He asked to replace it with a different version with new bitmaps. Not for a whole shell. Read. Or at least use logic if you did read.

Maybe I just wrote to much for such a simple method, but I was trying to be thorough in explaining it. Honestly, I really don't see any difference between replacing the explorer.exe file and simply instructing Windows to use a updated version you want. The added benefit with my instructions was the original Windows version of the explorer.exe without messing with its name or anything like that. In the end, the only thing that matters is the method works for me even though there may be other methods. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used Take Control to change my .dll (browserui, shell32 etc..) and it didn't work (i had to use the reg files) and now for explorer I don't have any problems, I really love windows

Thanks for the help

For revreddy : my explorer didn't load at the first reboot with your method but it's a nice tip to know ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For revreddy : my explorer didn't load at the first reboot with your method but it's a nice tip to know ;)

Well, you know computers. Sometimes a certain method works one comp, and then it doesn't work for another. At least you found a method that gets the job done. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

    • No registered users viewing this page.