Windows 7: Custom visual styles not applying titlebars?

So I just installed Windows 7 for the first time and instantly needed my customization fix, so I hunted down a nice visual style and used the UxStyle.com app to get my machine ready for styling.

Only problem is, every visual style I get has a broken title bar and bottom section of the window even if everyone else is enjoying it without problems! Argh!

Screenshot: http://hizost.com/f/88

Anyone have any idea what's wrong here? I can't figure it out for the life of me =(

Edit: Solved. Problem: 'Show shadows under windows' was unchecked. Just make sure that is enabled and VStyles should work properly.

patch your system again, maybe you didn't do it right.

Try restoring your system back to your last known good settings.
Then use this method to apply custom themes - Enabling Custom Themes - Windows 7

Thanks for the replies. I've restored my Explorer.exe and Explorerframe.dll files and uninstalled the UxStyle app. I've tried the other app (Universal Theme Patcher) (which when combined with UxStyle prevents windows from booting btw!) without any luck. I've reinstalled UxStyle plenty of times, with UAC turned off etc etc.

Although I did learn something new with that guide you linked. I'm supposed to have a process called UnsignedThemesSvc.exe but I don't have that at all after installing UxStyle. Weird! I think that's the problem. Like I said, I've turned UAC to the lowest possible level before installing UxStyle and I still don't have the service. No clue what's wrong...

If anyone has any advice or knowledge at this point I'd be sincerely grateful.

Edit: Just to be safe, does anyone have the ORIGINAL uxtheme.dll, themeui.dll and themeservice.dll, which can be found \Windows\system32\ (for Windows 7 32bit Ultimate)?? In order for UxTheme to install properly it looks like it needs to exact original files, and I just want to make sure.

Also, just fyi, this site was pretty helpful. For anyone reading this thread with my problem, check it out!

<rant> On a side note, what's up with Microsoft trying to restrict visual styles that are not digitally signed by them? Did they get the memo that personal computers are... supposed to be personal? </rant>

Hmm, it appears that C:\Windows\UnsignedThemesSvc.exe is running (though not in the process list, only in the services list (services.msc)) as 'Unsigned Themes'

What exactly is ExplorerFrame.dll responsible for in System32? Is it responsible for rendering the top and bottom of the windows?

Sounds like your system is in array after patching...installing UxStyle...

Uninstall all the patches and UxStyle...open an elevated command prompt and type sfc /scannow

Then reinstall UxStyle according to the guide I wrote

Nothing seems to be working, I got frustrated and started to reformat. Ironically, the monitor constantly goes to sleep at about 50% during installation (Expanding Windows Files). Haha. Nothing seems to be working, tried everything including flashing bios. Google says quite a few people have this problem. Just going to reformat back to XP, it actually works!

Appreciate the help none the less though. Take care

Wow, ok I solved it. What you have to do is ENABLE 'Show shadows under windows' under (right click) Computer->Properties->Adv. System Settings->(performance)Settings.

I'm such an OCD ******* that first thing I do when I format is get things sleek so I had disabled that option before installing visual styles. 3 days of reformatting and pulling my hair out and that's the solution. Figures eh?

Hey!
I'm glad you made that side comment about Microsoft's effort to discourage users from applying anything but their themes.....I thought I was the only one who picked up on that! It's like their saying "we given you enough eye candy with 7....shut up and go sit down"!! LOL!!!