Enabling Custom Themes - Windows 7

How to Enable Custom Themes without Modifying System Files​

   Information

This will show you how to enable and use custom themes without modifying system files. This method (in the form of a runnable service) was created and maintained by Rafael Rivera at Within Windows

   Note

This method can be used on Windows XP Service Pack 2-3, Windows Vista (All Service Packs), and Windows 7

   Warning

The UxStyle installer checks to see if typical patched files (like uxtheme.dll) have been patched. If they have, the installer will fail and you must replace these patched files with the original Windows' copies. Check the Frequently Asked Questions part of the tutorial for help with resolving this issue

Here's How:
1. Disable User Account Control (this is only temporary, Windows Vista and 7 only)

2. Download UxStyle Core Beta here and save the file to a meaningful location (such as the desktop)

3. Extract the files and run the installer that matches your architecture: x86 or x64 (In this example I will be running the x64 installer)

4. Follow the onscreen instructions





5. Reboot the computer

6. Enable User Account Control again (Only Windows Vista and 7 users)

Frequently Asked Questions


Q: Exactly how is this different from using utilities like the universal patcher?

A: This program installs a service called UnsignedThemesSvc that takes less than a MB of RAM (520K for me on x64 in the screen shot below). The process will *trick* Windows into thinking all themes are signed thus allowing any installed custom theme to run. The patch modifies system files that could potentially end up being corrupted in the process, resulting in a repair install or a format





Q: I installed the program but I can't see the process nor can I use a theme...help!
A: This normally is the result of not turning off UAC completely before installing the program. Uninstall UxStyle Core Beta from Programs and Features, restart the computer, turn off UAC, restart the computer, install UxStyle Core Beta, restart the computer. Your theme should work then.

Q: I tried running the installer but it keeps telling me that my subsystem has been tampered with...help!
A: This occurs when you have attempted to apply a patch to system files such as uxtheme.dll. To remedy this (in 95% of all scenarios) you must open a command prompt (run as Administrator) and execute the following command: sfc /scannow. After it finishes you should be able to run the installer for the program with no issue. See Run as Adminstrator and SFC /SCANNON Command - System File Checker in Related Links at the top for more info

Q: Okay, I got UxStyle Core running...now what?
A: The fun part...install some themes! Manually installing themes is easy...extract the theme to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes and choose it under the Installed Themes segment in Personalization (See tutorials above in Related Links to get more info on this)!

Q: Where can I find custom themes?
A: Some places to look would be in the Customization area of SevenForums and using the search terms "Windows 7 themes" on deviantART. You may also wish to contact members who hold the GFX Team badge as some of them are currently making themes or have released them


Hope it helps,
Chris

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Customize a Custom Theme from deviantArt
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/28377-theme-how-apply-custom-themes.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11841-run-administrator.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/280-theme-change-save.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2026-theme-pack-create-save-install-delete.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/921-desktop-icons-allow-prevent-themes-change.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2425-mouse-pointers-allow-prevent-themes-change.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/299-user-account-control-uac-change-notification-settings.html
• Change Windows 7 to Look and Function like Windows XP again

 

[stomper]

"A: This program installs a service called UnsignedThemesSvc that takes less than a MB of RAM (520K for me on x64 in the screen shot below). The process will *trick* Windows into thinking all themes are signed thus allowing any installed custom theme to run. The patch modifies system files that could potentially end up being corrupted in the process, resulting in a repair install or a format"


The quote has been taken from the tutorial posted by Zidane24, This worries me....has this happend to anyone, that UxStyle Core corrupted there Win7 system files????
Are there any programs out there that WON't cause this. I'm new with the customization of win7 and I don't want the above to happen.

Thanks

 

[Zidane24]

"A: This program installs a service called UnsignedThemesSvc that takes less than a MB of RAM (520K for me on x64 in the screen shot below). The process will *trick* Windows into thinking all themes are signed thus allowing any installed custom theme to run. The patch modifies system files that could potentially end up being corrupted in the process, resulting in a repair install or a format"


The quote has been taken from the tutorial posted by Zidane24, This worries me....has this happend to anyone, that UxStyle Core corrupted there Win7 system files????
Are there any programs out there that WON't cause this. I'm new with the customization of win7 and I don't want the above to happen.

Thanks

The quote was taken out of context...

That was in reference to the common System Files Patches (UniversalThemePatch or something like that) that replace system files...

UxStyle Core DOES NOT and I mean DOES NOT modify system files or components

It is perfectly safe to use

 

[scorpioninblue]

I installed Uxstyle after doing extensive researh on it....I downloaded it and applied a theme I found at Deviant art. Everything went fine, I restarted my pc and then did a complete shut down, when I turned the pc back on windows opened up perfectly fine!! No dreaded errors or failings, no high processor readings on my CPU or memory meters...everything is working smoothly and fine!!!

 

[stomper]

"A: This program installs a service called UnsignedThemesSvc that takes less than a MB of RAM (520K for me on x64 in the screen shot below). The process will *trick* Windows into thinking all themes are signed thus allowing any installed custom theme to run. The patch modifies system files that could potentially end up being corrupted in the process, resulting in a repair install or a format"


The quote has been taken from the tutorial posted by Zidane24, This worries me....has this happend to anyone, that UxStyle Core corrupted there Win7 system files????
Are there any programs out there that WON't cause this. I'm new with the customization of win7 and I don't want the above to happen.

Thanks

The quote was taken out of context...

That was in reference to the common System Files Patches (UniversalThemePatch or something like that) that replace system files...

UxStyle Core DOES NOT and I mean DOES NOT modify system files or components

It is perfectly safe to use

if you say so.

I'll try it in a VM first

 

[derekimo]

"A: This program installs a service called UnsignedThemesSvc that takes less than a MB of RAM (520K for me on x64 in the screen shot below). The process will *trick* Windows into thinking all themes are signed thus allowing any installed custom theme to run. The patch modifies system files that could potentially end up being corrupted in the process, resulting in a repair install or a format"


The quote has been taken from the tutorial posted by Zidane24, This worries me....has this happend to anyone, that UxStyle Core corrupted there Win7 system files????
Are there any programs out there that WON't cause this. I'm new with the customization of win7 and I don't want the above to happen.

Thanks

The quote was taken out of context...

That was in reference to the common System Files Patches (UniversalThemePatch or something like that) that replace system files...

UxStyle Core DOES NOT and I mean DOES NOT modify system files or components

It is perfectly safe to use

if you say so.

I'll try it in a VM first

It's safe, it installs a service so you don't have to patch like the other one.

 

[altaier]

10x bro ,,,,,, that was easy

I was using the "Universal Theme Patcher">> I didn't know what is the difference btw the 2 ways ,,,,
anyway>> the only thing that I need now is how 2 change the start menu , back and forward buttons

 

[fonduekid]

hi, wonderful tutorial. Thanks.

I am new here, and I just wanted to know if it is easy / troublefree to go back to the windows 7 built in themes, in case I don't want to stick with the others?

Thanks and cheers.

 

[Epsilon]

10x bro ,,,,,, that was easy

I was using the "Universal Theme Patcher">> I didn't know what is the difference btw the 2 ways ,,,,
anyway>> the only thing that I need now is how 2 change the start menu , back and forward buttons

I am also curious about the start menu, and back/ forward buttons.

 

[Ace6807]

This is great. Thanx!

 

[fabo]

http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=121573&stc=1&d=1291756918

i need help with this,i dont now what to do...

 

[svnpenn]

UxStyle is down.

http://uxstyle.com/builds/UxStyle_Core_jul13_bits.zip

Internal Server Error The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.
Please contact the server administrator, [email protected] and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.
More information about this error may be available in the server error log.
Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

 

[Infinite]

UxStyle is down.

http://uxstyle.com/builds/UxStyle_Core_jul13_bits.zip

Internal Server Error The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.
Please contact the server administrator, [email protected] and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.
More information about this error may be available in the server error log.
Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

Use Universal Theme Patcher

 

[svnpenn]

Thanks

 

[derekimo]

UxStyle is down.

http://uxstyle.com/builds/UxStyle_Core_jul13_bits.zip

Internal Server Error The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.
Please contact the server administrator, [email protected] and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.
More information about this error may be available in the server error log.
Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

Use Universal Theme Patcher

Either one works, it's personal preference.

Here's our tutorial for that as well,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/28377-theme-how-apply-custom-themes.html

I prefer Uxstyle myself since there are no files to patch, you just install a service.

 

[Infinite]

Here's our tutorial for that as well,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/28377-theme-how-apply-custom-themes.html

These two tutorials should be merged.

 

[MourningStar]

the d/l link in step 2 gives me an error. ideas?

 

[Brink]

The download link for UxStyle is working again.

 

[sanddobby]

Help?

The UxStyle process won't show up on my task manager, and my new theme won't work. At first I installed it without turning off the UAC, which was the problem, but then I followed all the steps to fix it and it still won't work. I uninstalled, rebooted, turned off UAC, rebooted, installed, and rebooted, but it still doesn't show up. Anything I'm doing wrong?

 

[stevieray]

The UxStyle process won't show up on my task manager, and my new theme won't work. At first I installed it without turning off the UAC, which was the problem, but then I followed all the steps to fix it and it still won't work. I uninstalled, rebooted, turned off UAC, rebooted, installed, and rebooted, but it still doesn't show up. Anything I'm doing wrong?

Take a look in Control Panel. Is UxStyle Core Beta listed there?

 

[sanddobby]

The UxStyle process won't show up on my task manager, and my new theme won't work. At first I installed it without turning off the UAC, which was the problem, but then I followed all the steps to fix it and it still won't work. I uninstalled, rebooted, turned off UAC, rebooted, installed, and rebooted, but it still doesn't show up. Anything I'm doing wrong?

Take a look in Control Panel. Is UxStyle Core Beta listed there?

Under the uninstall/change program list? It is, yes.