10-04-2009, 09:34 PM
Hello.
Okay, so, unless you're using a custom version of XP, it most likely comes with that silly 'bliss' theme. While this may be 'okay', it's just never good enough! Thankfully, there're billions upon billions of 'themes' to choose from. A 'theme' is basically how your OS displays icons, the taskbar, the start menu, which colors to use, what cursors to use; everything! A lot of themes simply change the color/layout, but some themes, aptly named 'transformation packs', will change your cursors and icons as well.
First, you can buy themes. However, if you plan on doing that, please stop reading ^_^ Since Windows has is so simple (or maybe just poorly secured), you have to 'crack' a .dll file so that you can apply any type of theme you want (as far as I know).
So, first, we must decide which patch you must use. This is quite simple; if you use Windows XP Sp2, use this one. If you use Windows XP Sp3, then use this one. So, regardless of which one you had to download, you'll want to extract it, then copy/paste it into your C:\Windows\System32 folder. If Windows complains because it's in use, simply rename the original 'uxtheme.dll' to 'uxtheme1.dll', then paste the one you downloaded.
You MIGHT have to reboot your computer. I don't know. Anyway, let's progress. There're MANY websites out there that have themes available to download, however, my favorite is customize.org. Simply browse the themes until you find one that you like. Then, download it. It'll most likely be in .rar or .zip format. Now, unzip it wherever you want. I suggest you make a new folder purely for the theme. Now, most themes on that site are in MSStyles format, so, you can just go to the folder in which it was extracted and double click the MSStyles file. Wait 10 seconds or so, and your layout should match the theme.
Note that some themes come with different variations of the theme, for example "Midnight Blue", "Midnight Green", and "Midnight Red" all in the same .rar. If you want to switch from one theme to another, simply double click the new MSStyles file. Its contents will overwrite your current ones, but you can always revert back to it by double clicking the original MSStyles.
Transformation packs exist, for instance to make Windows XP look like Windows Vista or 7, but I've never used them, so I won't go into detail. I assume they are the same as regular themes, but I am not certain.
Enjoy!
Okay, so, unless you're using a custom version of XP, it most likely comes with that silly 'bliss' theme. While this may be 'okay', it's just never good enough! Thankfully, there're billions upon billions of 'themes' to choose from. A 'theme' is basically how your OS displays icons, the taskbar, the start menu, which colors to use, what cursors to use; everything! A lot of themes simply change the color/layout, but some themes, aptly named 'transformation packs', will change your cursors and icons as well.
First, you can buy themes. However, if you plan on doing that, please stop reading ^_^ Since Windows has is so simple (or maybe just poorly secured), you have to 'crack' a .dll file so that you can apply any type of theme you want (as far as I know).
So, first, we must decide which patch you must use. This is quite simple; if you use Windows XP Sp2, use this one. If you use Windows XP Sp3, then use this one. So, regardless of which one you had to download, you'll want to extract it, then copy/paste it into your C:\Windows\System32 folder. If Windows complains because it's in use, simply rename the original 'uxtheme.dll' to 'uxtheme1.dll', then paste the one you downloaded.
You MIGHT have to reboot your computer. I don't know. Anyway, let's progress. There're MANY websites out there that have themes available to download, however, my favorite is customize.org. Simply browse the themes until you find one that you like. Then, download it. It'll most likely be in .rar or .zip format. Now, unzip it wherever you want. I suggest you make a new folder purely for the theme. Now, most themes on that site are in MSStyles format, so, you can just go to the folder in which it was extracted and double click the MSStyles file. Wait 10 seconds or so, and your layout should match the theme.
Note that some themes come with different variations of the theme, for example "Midnight Blue", "Midnight Green", and "Midnight Red" all in the same .rar. If you want to switch from one theme to another, simply double click the new MSStyles file. Its contents will overwrite your current ones, but you can always revert back to it by double clicking the original MSStyles.
Transformation packs exist, for instance to make Windows XP look like Windows Vista or 7, but I've never used them, so I won't go into detail. I assume they are the same as regular themes, but I am not certain.
Enjoy!
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