Windows 7: How to change explorer's sidebar

Hello!
I'm new here, and not sure if i'm posting into the correct place.

I always wanted to revert Seven back to Beta visuals, i already have the Fish wallpaper, and know apps to change the logon screen, but i discovered something that i can't figure out how to change it. That's the Explorer's sidebar on the left side which was blue back then and not silver like in the RTM. Any idea?

Welcome to the Seven Forums

That is bitmap images #632 and 633 in the shell32.dll in C:\Windows\System32

You would need to find the bitmap images from the beta.

If you get them let me know and I can tell you how to change them.

Jerry

Got it!
I used a virtual computer and i extracted shell32.dll from the beta.
I think reshack is the correct tool for the job, but i'll wait for your recommendation...

BTW, i only found #633 in the old dll, #632 is the reflection graphic in the RTM's dll

Any resource hacker would probably work just fine, I believe you are right one of those two images is just a reflection. Just export the image from the beta and then imported into your shell32.dll.

Hint: put a copy of the shell32.dll on your desktop and modify that one so you did not corrupt the original.

Hint #2: make a System Restore Point - Create before you get started just in case.

To properly change a system file you need to take ownership give yourself permission and rename the old file and then copy in the new one look at Post #6 of this thread will tell you how to do it Basic Networking Information

Jerry

Thanks! I'll try it when my new PC ha built. I won't risk with the current, because my mother will kill me for that

If you do not want to edit system files try How to use theme resource changer it works very well for this.

If you need help let me know.

Jerry

Ok, so i installed Theme Resource Changer and made everything as it is described in the readme, but it doesn't seems to be working. Can you describe me a bit more exactly how should i do this?

Switch to the Windows Classic theme then logoff/logon then do the following.

Make a new folder in C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero folder and name it shell32.dll


Now open the 633.bmp in a image editor(Gimp is free) and save it as 633.png then put it in the shell32.dll folder you just made.


Switch to the aero theme.

Jerry

Almost done, now just need to change the fonts to white on the left

The only way I know how to change that text color on the left side is to use Ave's Windows7 Style Builder

Jerry