Solved How do I customize the appearance of the window borders?

[pfeel1]

Hi,

If this has been covered elsewhere, my apologies, but I haven't been able to locate an answer to this yet.
I basically like my Win 7 Aero theme, but what bugs me is the two-toned appearance of the window border, i.e. lighter gray for the top 1/3 of the window, and darker gray for the bottom 2/3s. This is especially distracting and annoying when editing photos. I could go with a basic theme, but would prefer to keep the borders fat - as long as they can be made to have just one (preferably dark gray) color. For now, I've just cranked the color intensity and brightness all the way, which gets rid of the two-toned look, but leaves me with too light a gray.

Thanks!

 

[Bongo]

Welcome to the Seven Forums

Are you talking about the borders I have the red arrows pointing to?


If not could you please post a screenshot showing what you have.
Use these tutorials for posting screenshots.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9717-screenshot-paint.html
How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forumJerrys.html

Jerry

 

[pfeel1]

Hi Jerry,

Yes, that's exactly what I mean! You can see how the bottom of the border/frame is much darker.

 

[Bongo]

I can change that for you, using Windows Style Builder and post it here in a zip folder.

This will be a custom theme and you will need to do 1 of these 2 ways of Enabling custom themes for it to work.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/34579-enabling-custom-themes-windows-7-a.html
Or
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/28377-theme-how-apply-custom-themes.html?filter

Give me about 2 hours and I will post it here.

Jerry

 

[Bongo]

Here you go download the zip folder at the bottom of this post extract it to your desktop put both the pfeel1 theme folder and pfeel1.theme file in C:\Windows\Resources\Themes


It will show up in Personalization under Installed Themes as pfeel1.


Jerry

 

[pfeel1]

Awesome, thanks so much! I will try it when I get home tonight and will let you know.

 

[Bongo]

You're welcome, let me know what you think after you're done.

Jerry

 

[pfeel1]

Very cool, Jerry. Thanks a lot! I also appreciate the added "show desktop" short cut.

Is there any way that I can adjust the color myself? I think I would prefer a darker gray, but really I would love to tinker with it - and maybe even save different themes.

Actually, I just figured it out. Just need to figure out all the terminology and what is what. Thanks!

 

[pfeel1]

One last question: Could I somehow get the Win 7 ball back in place of the Start button, or would that require a whole other theme? I started looking late last night, but couldn't find an easy solution. If it's not easy, I'll be fine without it, you have already helped a lot!

Thanks!

 

[Bongo]

Very cool, Jerry. Thanks a lot! I also appreciate the added "show desktop" short cut.

I don't understand the added "show desktop" short cut, could you post a screenshot for me please?

One last question: Could I somehow get the Win 7 ball back in place of the Start button, or would that require a whole other theme? I started looking late last night, but couldn't find an easy solution. If it's not easy, I'll be fine without it, you have already helped a lot!

Thanks!

Are you talking about the start orb in the lower left corner, themes should not have changed that?

Screenshot would help there also.

Jerry

 

[pfeel1]

Jerry,

Here's the screen shot. The "show desktop" shortcut is the icon at the far right. Unfortunately, the orb is gone, as you can see. Also, how can I change the background of the taskbar to a darker gray?

Thanks!

 

[Bongo]

Jerry,

Here's the screen shot. The "show desktop" shortcut is the icon at the far right. Unfortunately, the orb is gone, as you can see. Also, how can I change the background of the taskbar to a darker gray?

Thanks!

View attachment 300959

Did you do:
You will need to do 1 of these 2 ways of Enabling custom themes for it to work.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/34579-enabling-custom-themes-windows-7-a.html
Or
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/28377-theme-how-apply-custom-themes.html?filter

If so which one?

Jerry

 

[pfeel1]

Hey Jerry,

Yes, I used UxStyle Core Beta.

 

[Bongo]

Switch to the default aero theme then:
Click on the Start Button type in Services In the search box and then click on Services


Scroll down until you see unsigned themes select it in click on the Stop text and let it stop after that click on Start text and see if the theme works. Your screen may blink when you do this.












Jerry

 

[pfeel1]

Hi Jerry,

Hmm. Unfortunately, I don't see any unsigned themes in my services. Anyway, I can switch back to the default aero theme, but then it seems like we're back to square one, as far as the two-toned window borders are concerned. I have saved any adjustments into separate themes, so I can switch easily now.
Thanks

 

[Bongo]

Hi Jerry,

Hmm. Unfortunately, I don't see any unsigned themes in my services. Anyway, I can switch back to the default aero theme, but then it seems like we're back to square one, as far as the two-toned window borders are concerned. I have saved any adjustments into separate themes, so I can switch easily now.
Thanks

View attachment 301161

Go to Programs and Features from the Control Panel and see if UxStyle Core Beta is installed.


Did you use the right one (x86 or x64)?

Jerry

 

[pfeel1]

Hi Jerry,

I started all over, this time making sure I was using the x64 version of UxStyel Core Beta, and it's exactly what I was looking for! Sorry for all the trouble and thanks very much for all your help!

 

[Bongo]

You're Welcome, good to hear you got it.