Start Button has an awkward look and I cannot change it.

Nyello · 17 Jul 2015

So I've googled this problem about 1,200 times, but to no avail. I haven't found someone with this problem at all.

My Start Button looks weird. Here is an image:

This is obviously not the default, nor is it a custom one.

This happened after I had downloaded a custom Windows 7 theme. For reference of the theme I'm using

I've tried changing it again with multiple programs (Customizer God, Windows 7 Start Orb changer) and I've even attemped to do it manually, using this.
Awkwardly enough, inside of those programs (and even explorer.exe) it shows the custom orbs. However, it does not project onto the actual orb on my taskbar.

Here is an image of that:

The text is hard to see, but the point is visible.

I've had this problem for months, but I am just now looking to get help. It's a tiny nuisance that I would love to get fixed.

Additional Information:
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
I'm not using Aero

Hoping I put this thread into the correct section, thanks in advance!

Hacb · 21 Jul 2015

for some reason i cannot see the images, can you please upload it as attachments

Nyello · 22 Jul 2015

Here:

jessebryant · 22 Jul 2015

I have a similar situation, but I like the Start button and want to recreate it.

At work, some of our computers have a start button that's different than the standard. I think it looks nice and want to re-create it...the problem is that this new look is NOT coming from explorer.exe, it still has the standard looking orb, and I can't figure out how this is being customized without explorer.exe

And windows IS using explorer.exe as the shell

Hacb · 22 Jul 2015

looks like the classic start button, possibly a broken theme? try annother theme and see if it continues

Nyello · 23 Jul 2015

Okay, weird.
It works on ALL of the Aero themes, and the "Windows 7 Basic" theme.
However, all of the other Basic & High Contrast themes, and my 3 other custom themes are broken.

I've reinstalled this theme a few times, and nobody on the page where I've gotten the theme from has had this problem.

Nyello · 23 Jul 2015

Okay! Development!

I've figured out where the Windows Icon is coming from.
C:\Windows\Branding\ShellBrd\ShellBrd.dll

I changed the Image in it with the .bmp you would usually use to change a start orb, and it DID work. Kind of. You can see it in the attachment.

So, it stretched my taskbar down a large amount, and kept the area where "start" is written. Not cool.
I was smart enough to make a backup and fix it quickly. How do I solve this issue? Would I have to force this theme to use explorer.exe for its orb somehow? I wouldn't mind finding a program to open up the theme itself if that can fix it.

(Also, the icon wasn't animated when I hovered or clicked on it. Presumably because ShellBrd.dll isn't meant for animated orbs.)

P.S: I wouldn't mind enabling Aero for the theme. I kind of dislike a few aspects of Aero, but as long as it doesn't affect the theme itself, (other than the orb, obviously.) I'll change it. However, I do not know if the google results I got for enabling aero force it onto the current theme or just allow you to use it. Would like some insight.