Proof of Windows Update breaking Themes

[teconsee14]

Please start reading first reply post. This starting post is not relevant anymore :)

Lots of themes, not just this one, and unfortunately the best themes (IMO), have exactly this display error.

(this theme: http://bruellkaefer.deviantart.com/art/Mac-OS-X-Snow-Leopard-mod-207837333 )

After having tried to find out what causes this I finally did the following:

1) installed Windows 7 Pro x64 with integrated SP1 (legit CD) on VMware Workstation 7.1 (supports Aero)

2) patched 3 files with Universal Theme Patcher (I believe newest Version is 2009/04/09)

3) installed only the theme into the Theme folder, without replacing any system files

4) tested theme -> no display errors, fine

5) installed first batch of Windows Update stuff, exactly these files:

6) reboot

7) theme was now broken, see above picture

This demonstrates that you will have to disable Windows Update when using themes. OR you could do a Rollback directly after update if nessecary (but I believe only in clean system images). But what if you used a theme where you see no display error after an update, but it's just because of that specific theme? Not all themes have this display error after Windows Update. This is really bad stuff I suppose. Best you never update, IMO.

I have a Windows 7 system that can not use a lot of themes because of this. And lots and lots of stuff that just holds me back of reinstalling Windows. Now, I believe, my situation is helpless without a reinstall? I don't have any system restore points that far back...

[Seahorsepip Veteran]

eh you ever used windows before...

Just set your dpi at lowest again :rolleyes:

P.S.

you use a display with high resolution or a touchscreen display, because that could be causing microsoft to set your dpi higher?

[teconsee14]

WOW, setting DPI to 100% again fixed it, that's amazing. But how should I be able to know this, you seem to imply I should know^^?

No I use a standard 22" TFT screen. I just set DPI higher for more comfort.

But I would like the text to be larger again.. is there a way to do that without display errors? Maybe manually setting global fontsize somewhere?

(as I read your post, I remembers setting DPI large in the VM, just forget that part -.- All that hassle with the VM... -.-)

edit: I have another Problem.. In Firefox 4 the theme goes transparent sometimes...if someone knows why please let me know.

[Wakers]

Altering dpi always messes with custom themes.

Firefox and third party themes however never mix, because Mozilla insist on using an ass backwards GUI.

[Ambroos]

It's pretty normal. Using a higher DPI means Windows will use different icon sources etc for some stuff. Unless the theme creator makes sure all images in all DPI versions of his theme are replaced correctly there's nothing you can do about this.