Windows 7: I really need help!!!!

Okay, after shocked with amazing themes from Windows 7 (most from devianart.com), I decided to try installing them. But I have been through problems for the whole weekend (and I believe that it is totally annoying!!!!).

First, I cannot patch the whole three files, the only file I cannot patch is themeservice.dll. I dont know why, but I cant press on the patch button for that file (it seems like Universal Theme Patcher could not find it T.T).

So I decided to try and have a run, ignore the themeservice.dll one. Now, whenever I try to copy ExplorerFrame.dll, the error message appear that "This file is currently used to open blah blah blah" so I end up with terrible classic theme T.T.



Can any one suggest any advice? I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit.

Home premium and starter both have limited theme support for this kind of thing. I don't think that's your problem though. The first thing I would do is return things to default.
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker <--- link
running that should hopefully return the files to their default state allowing you to at least return thing to normal so someone more familiar with this version of windows can start you from step one.

Home premium has had no problems theming for me.

You must take ownership of any system files you want to change:

Take Ownership Shortcut

A Guy

Man, I believe I have taken ownership of everysingle thing, both in System32 and in SysWOW64 .

Now, after running sfc /scannow, I cannot install any new theme any more. Once a theme is installed, it shall returned to windows classic with some style of colour.

After running sfc/scannow, everything will bounce back to windows default , and all the patches will be reverted . So now run universal theme patcher as admin (right click > run as admin) and apply the three patches , and restart the machine . When it starts , put the theme (the folder containing en us etc and the .theme file only) in the resources > theme folder as per the Theme - How to Apply Custom Themes tutorial , and then apply the theme .

There is an alternative method to do the same , that is Enabling Custom Themes - Windows 7 .

If you want to replace the system files with the custom ones , I'd suggest you to have a Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup at first (that's must ! If you get in any trouble in the process, it is the easiest way to get rid of it ) and use System File Replacer for replacing the files like explorerframe.dll.

If there is any further problem, post back . Applying theme is not such a tough job .

Omg finnally I changed it successfully!!! Thanks to everyone!!!!

One more thing, there are many ExplorerFrame.dll in other themes as well. Like, I have DayDream theme now with ExplorerTheme.dll as it self, will there be problem to replace it with explorerFrame.dll from another theme?? Will both theme be kept or only the newer theme will appear??

In this situation, only the new frame will appear .

Say there are two themes you use ... dayDream and soft7. Put the both ExplorerFrame.dll files in system32. When using soft7, name its frame as explorerframe.dll and the other two are explorerframe _original.dll and explorerframe_DayDream.dll .

While changing to DayDream theme, first rename the existing one say explorerframe_Soft7.dll; and then rename the target one as Explorerframe.dll; and restart explorer .

This is manual process . There are a few tools that can do it , such as Browsing deviantART , Windows Themes Installer v1.1 by =Kishan-Bagaria on deviantART etc, but I do it manually .

Anw, thank you so much for your help. Now I am enjoying my new theme perfectly!!!!!

You are welcome mate