Where can I modify the Windows Aero properties?

Is there anyway I can modify the Windows Aero theme properties?
I want to make myself a custom Windows Aero theme, but I don't know where to find the actual folder or file that contains all of the coding.

I've tried searching for files in the start bar with the key phrase Aero, UI, even glass but I can't find anything.

I know I will have to backup all of my files and stuff, and I will.

Thanks,

the files that contain aero - windows 7-windows-resources-themes-aero

grouchpunk08 said:

the files that contain aero - windows 7-windows-resources-themes-aero

Is it possible to modify that?

im not sure, I know people have used a program called reshacker to modify explorer.exe, so that might let you modify the aero files. I'm not exactly sure tho.

Codfish said:

Is it possible to modify that?

Yep, 'C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero\aero.msstyles' is just a .dll file named different. ResHacker will let you open the file and then you can extract the images to a folder. you can then open them in your favourite graphics editor and import your files back inside the file afterwards.

you will have to turn aero off first and switch to a basic style to save it though.

Generator said:

Yep, 'C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero\aero.msstyles' is just a .dll file named different. ResHacker will let you open the file and then you can extract the images to a folder. you can then open them in your favourite graphics editor and import your files back inside the file afterwards.

you will have to turn aero off first and switch to a basic style to save it though.

Is it possible to take out ALL of the Aero features and just make everything look like actual glass, or even clear ice?
I don't want to modify the pictures, I want to modify the design of stuff like the start bar, opened windows, etc.

Codfish said:

Is it possible to take out ALL of the Aero features and just make everything look like actual glass, or even clear ice?
I don't want to modify the pictures, I want to modify the design of stuff like the start bar, opened windows, etc.

You cant alter the actual shape of stuff as such, just the actual look of it. Maybe you could do some transparency tricks on the corners of windows and Start-menu but you'll have to experiment to find out. :)

(Keep back-ups of the folder too if you are going to mess!)

Generator said:

You cant alter the actual shape of stuff as such, just the actual look of it. Maybe you could do some transparency tricks on the corners of windows and Start-menu but you'll have to experiment to find out. :)

(Keep back-ups of the folder too if you are going to mess!)

I've tried reducing all of the transparency, but it still gives me some kind of start bar-ish feel to it.
I want it actually to be GONE, like the whole start bar appearance.

What program should I use to read the .dll files? The ResHack thing gives me hexadecimal values like
"0003F8E8 FD 00 00 00 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF ý•••ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ" and I don't even KNOW what a BC_MAP is or anything of the sort.

Sorry, I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to this .dll stuff.

Look in the 'Images' folder not the BC_MAP one. I dont use ResHacker myself so I cant say exactly how to extract them but try right-clicking and going to 'Export' or something along them lines.

Generator said:

Look in the 'Images' folder not the BC_MAP one. I dont use ResHacker myself so I cant say exactly how to extract them but try right-clicking and going to 'Export' or something along them lines.

If I were to modify it and want to try it, would I just rename the old file to themeui.old and then put my new one in there?