If you downloaded a theme from Microsoft it will NOT require any patching. Microsoft explicitly FORBIDS patching of any system files so you will NEVER get a file from Microsoft that requires patching. There have been more than one occurrence of patches containing malware and because you are doing all the work for the malware by intentionally infecting your own core system files the malware does not need infection code and thus is invisible to virus scanners.
Creating and Installing Theme Files (Windows)
Themes include ONLY wallpaper, cursors, fonts, sounds, and icons. No patching required here.
Themes and Visual Styles (Windows)
You should have received a file with the .themepack extension. Double clicking it installs the theme and opens the theme dialog.
Run system restore or sfc /scannow to repair the damage you've done with the patcher and download this again to make sure it's not been tampered with
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...8827-AB3C4CBBE690/Ferrari_Win7Theme.themepack and double click.
Geez. Are you on commission from MS, naturally paranoid, or writing from your nuclear bunker? I'm really not sure that Microsoft has any power or right to FORBID anybody doing anything. If I choose to risk what are pretty valueless warranties anyway that's really none of their or anyone else's business!
This forum is about customization and the truth is that Microsoft in its wisdom decided to make genuine customization virtually impossible without patching. You may be happy to toe the party line and maintain a pristine system using only the anodyne changes of colour and wallpaper that Microsoft approves of but thousands understandably are not.
The customization community is not the fly-by-night, virus happy bunch of losers that you paint them but a surprisingly well regulated, peer reviewed group of hard working enthusiasts that has been responsible directly for many of the real improvements that companies like Microsoft have belatedly adopted (or should I say poached?) Their work is as thoroughly tested as any professional product - indeed, as they are not driven by profit and deadlines, one might very well argue considerably better tested and in much more realistic circumstances.
Of course there are rogues out there but they are easily avoided by going through reliable, trusted channels. Caveat emptor, of course, but let's not tar everybody that ever wanted a better way of doing things with the demonising brush. And, for pity's sake, let's not ever get into the way of thinking that Microsoft can do no wrong and only have our best interests at heart! After all, Windows 7, for all its benefits is actually a severe step down from Vista in terms of personalisation and that's really saying something!
They want clones - clones are easier to sell things to and at higher prices (we all know that the premium on Windows 7 is farcically out of kilter with its true value and what the company could easily afford to sell it at). So vive la revolution! We paid for it so we'll do what we damn well please with it (having backed-up everything in sight beforehand, of course ... we may be rampaging hotheads but we're not stoopid!!!)
