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Windows 7: Taskbar - Customize Skin


Taskbar - Customize Skin

How to Customize the Windows 7 Taskbar Skin
Published 21 Feb 2009
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How to Customize the Windows 7 Taskbar Skin

information   Information
Here’s something for those, who are stuck with the Basic skin, and don’t like the default Taskbar appearance...

...but would rather have it look different:

Unfortunately, the Basic Taskbar appearance can't be changed thru settings, but requires you to alter the image files it's based on. This said, as the images are only a few pixels big, it's not difficult at all.







STEP ONE
Preparation
1. Download the Uxtheme patch in order to use these modifications.
WARNING: Make sure you download the right files! As always, make backups of the files you alter, as there’s always a chance to break something. Especially when messing around with system files.

2. In there you’ll need the 829.png to 832.png and 990.png to 993.png files. For build 7229, you'll need the 841.png to 844.png and 1010.png to 1013.png files instead.
NOTE: I created a little overview. Here you can see, where the images are used.
Taskbar - Customize Skin-basic_bar_pos.jpg
3. Apply the Uxtheme patch (If not already done before).

4. Take ownership of aero.msstyles (so you can overwrite it).

5. Create a backup of aero.msstyles.




STEP TWO
How to Edit
1. Open your aero.msstyles backup with Resource Tuner (or a comparable tool)

2. Extract the image files.

3. Modify the file(s) to your liking.

4. In Resource Tuner select Edit Resource to add the edited image.
NOTE: The file name has to be the same as the original file.

5. Select Save File as and create a copy of aero.msstyles somewhere

6. Replace the old file with the newly created one

7. Change to a different Scheme and back to apply your settings
Enjoy!

Tip   Tip
I have attached the plain black bar in a ZIP file below for those who want to see what it looks like without having to edit something. Click on the Download button below to download the ZIP file.
download


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21 Feb 2009   #1
ebartolon

Windows 7, Windows Vista
 
 

Nice Guide Killer Kat. Just What I Was Looking For lol.

My System SpecsSystem Spec

22 Feb 2009   #2
Romulinx2

Win7 Ultimate x64 on Desktop / Win7 Ultimate x86 on laptop / Win7 x86 Starter on Netbook
UK
 
 

Nice work.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
22 Feb 2009   #3
skunksmash

SEVEN x64
UK
 
 

great work...killercat

i shall have a toy with this later.....






SK
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


15 Apr 2009   #4
m00m00

Win7 7068
 
 
Updated info for build 7068 ...

Hey

Thanks for the great post! However, I think the resources have changed for build 7068 upwards... the png's don't match those you mention in your tut.

Any chance of updating this for??

Thanks again!
My System SpecsSystem Spec
02 May 2009   #5
gordon

windows 7
 
 

Hello everyone

I think that png's are changing with build numbers. If I do something for 7100 I'll post it here but I'll be gratefull if someone posts some black basic skin (love ati 7500)
My System SpecsSystem Spec
11 May 2009   #6
kenium

Windows 7 RC x32
Russia/Spb
 
 

So anyone know resource numbers for RC 7100?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
18 May 2009   #7
edwardswolentoe

Windows 7
 
 

Yeah does anyone know how to modify this for RC 7100? Trying to apply this causes explorer.exe not to work and force me to system restore.

Ive looked through the aero.msstyle for the actual .png file for the taskbar but can't find it. I can find and replace the skin for the start menu but alas not the most important one ~ the taskbar.

(BTW my comp can't run aero, no GFX card)
My System SpecsSystem Spec
19 Jun 2009   #8
Generator

XP Pro SP3 x86/Vista SP2 x64/Win7 x64 Triple-boot
Lancashire, England
 
 

Regarding step 2,
for those struggling to find the resource's, the images for build 7229 are as follows:

841.png upto 844.png and then 1010.png upto 1013.png



This maybe the same for other builds.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
19 Jun 2009   #9
holo88

Windows 7 Ultimate x32
New Vegas
 
 

resource editing.....system 32 files love it! (not really)
now there's a field of which i have A LOT of experience in. I semi-sucessfully modified most of the files in XP (a boredom project) with out (much) problem. good to know i can do it in 7 too.... just another part of my OCD w/ customizing things
or better yet...rip all the 7 resources, and add them to xp muhuhahahaha....sorry, got carried away. thanks for the info guys.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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