Windows 7: Non-Aero themes turn into Windows Classic

Hi,

I downloaded a few Windows 7 themes from deviantART (the one I'm specifically trying to work with is Soft7 2.0) and set them up by placing the themes in C:\Windows\Resources\Themes, then applying them. The theme showed up fine and worked, and then I proceeded to replace ExplorerFrame.dll, manually. I of course backed up my original ExplorerFrame, and replaced it with the new one from the theme, and then restarted explorer.exe. It worked, and then I restarted Windows just for good measure.

When I logged on, I noticed the taskbar, and all windows I opened had the Windows Classic style, as in the screenshot below:



When I go to the personalization menu, Soft7 is still selected. I changed to an Aero theme and it actually worked (borders and taskbar have Aero effects), however whenever I go back into the theme I downloaded, it returns to Windows Classic.

I restored my original ExplorerFrame.dll and rebooted, but Soft7 still refused to work. I ran SFC /SCANNOW and it created a log which I can post if needed, but running it did not solve the problem.



Can anyone help me figure out why these themes won't work properly? Thanks!

Welcome to the Seven Forums

Did you use Universal Theme Patcher to patch the system files?

After you ran the sfc/ scannow did you repatch afterwords?

To properly change a system file(ExplorerFrame.dll) 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