Enabling Custom Themes

[Shrantellatessa]

Hello!
I read the tutorial here about enabling custom themes using a small software called "UxStyle" but I don't want to mess up my new system/laptop. So can anyone confirm that this software does not touch system files (.dll thingies) at all?

Also, I read in the official forum of this little software that it enables themes, which changes window borders and appearance, but doesn't change buttons (and I guess animations...); so are there any other differences (visually speaking) with using the risky UxTheme.dll?

And can I easily go back to the default Windows 7 themes without any problem?


Thanks in advance

 

[FZ21Z]

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

- http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/34579-enabling-custom-themes-windows-7-a.html

From the comment's that have been posted there, I think you will be safe.

 

[derekimo]

It installs safe, you'll see it in services. And you can go back and choose a regular theme without any problems either, you can switch back and forth between them.

 

[Shrantellatessa]

Thanks!

From the comment's that have been posted there, I think you will be safe.

Thanks for your help! And your siggy is very expressive!

It installs safe, you'll see it in services. And you can go back and choose a regular theme without any problems either, you can switch back and forth between them.

Thanks for the screenshot and support


Thank you both; now I can finally apply custom themes after one month of waiting

 

[derekimo]

You're Welcome, Enjoy your new themes.

 

[Shrantellatessa]

Thanks, I will

 

[scorpioninblue]

Have you tried it yet? Are you having any problems at all? It all seems to simple........I've been reading about it, but I'm still hesitant, I've had this desktop for only 3 months and it runs as smooth as silk. I just don't want to do anything to it that might change that. What I want to do is use this theme, but not at the cost of having any system files altered!

 

[derekimo]

Have you tried it yet? Are you having any problems at all? It all seems to simple........I've been reading about it, but I'm still hesitant, I've had this desktop for only 3 months and it runs as smooth as silk. I just don't want to do anything to it that might change that. What I want to do is use this theme, but not at the cost of having any system files altered!

Welcome scorpioninblue,

This tutorial is to enable custom themes without altering any files,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/34579-enabling-custom-themes-windows-7-a.html

 

[scorpioninblue]

Thanks for your reply. I read the tutorial previously, but I'm still afraid! I'm just being quite honest! What I wanted to see are responses from those who have actually used Uxstlye and applied their theme.....I want to know if windows 7 is still performing as expected after a restart or turning their pc off and on. Just call me "Mr. Doubting Thomas"! I don't want to have to reformat if anything should go awry after using Uxstyle...after all its still in beta.

 

[derekimo]

Thanks for your reply. I read the tutorial previously, but I'm still afraid! I'm just being quite honest! What I wanted to see are responses from those who have actually used Uxstlye and applied their theme.....I want to know if windows 7 is still performing as expected after a restart or turning their pc off and on. Just call me "Mr. Doubting Thomas"! I don't want to have to reformat if anything should go awry after using Uxstyle...after all its still in beta.

I understand, I have personally been using Uxstyle for months with no problems at all. I.m using this theme Soft7 1.7 for Windows 7 by ~AP-GRAPHIK on deviantART at the moment. Here's what you can do, create a restore point, then give it a try. That way you will have somthing to fall back on, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.
I seriously doubt you will have problems, just follow the tutorial and you should be good to go, if you want to know anything else just post back and someone will help.
Derek

 

[scorpioninblue]

Thanks Derek....your reply is very encouraging and I just may go for it! I'll keep you posted, if and when I do and let you know what the outcome is! It's funny, when I had my old XP pc, I would try many things, but since I've got this Windows 7 machine I've been extremely careful of any and everything I apply to it. I was saying in another forum that it seems as if Microsoft was determined to discourage any 'tampering' with 7, and went all out with the personalization in an effort to satisfy eveyone's need for eye candy! LOL!! I heard even Stardock was having trouble getting Windowblinds to perform properly in 7!! Thanks again!

 

[derekimo]

Thanks Derek....your reply is very encouraging and I just may go for it! I'll keep you posted, if and when I do and let you know what the outcome is! It's funny, when I had my old XP pc, I would try many things, but since I've got this Windows 7 machine I've been extremely careful of any and everything I apply to it. I was saying in another forum that it seems as if Microsoft was determined to discourage any 'tampering' with 7, and went all out with the personalization in an effort to satisfy eveyone's need for eye candy! LOL!! I heard even Stardock was having trouble getting Windowblinds to perform properly in 7!! Thanks again!

You're Welcome,
I think you'll find most personalizing pretty painless but any questions or problems you have, just post back here and it will get you all the help you need, This is a great forum full of helpful people.
Derek

 

[scorpioninblue]

Thanks Derek for the great words of encouragement! I'm feeling more confident and just may take the plunge after reading your post!

Like so many here, I was a former XP user...... I didn't waste my time or money on Vista, so when Microsoft finally got 7 finished and after reading the great reviews, I decided it was time for a new desktop. I have a HP machine and it runs as smooth as silk, so you can see my extreme caution at applying anything that would disrupt that!!!

It seems that Microsoft was determined to satisfy the user desire for personalization in 7 and they went all out to fulfill that need. They made a lot of effort to keep people from 'tampering' with it, and I heard that even Stardock was having trouble getting Windowblinds to work well. When I first read about Uxstyle, I thought......there is no way this can work and not cause some unforeseen problems! But apparently I'm wrong!

I'll probably do a full registry back up and set a restore point before starting anything when I do decide to try it and of course report back with the outcome! Thanks a million!!

 

[scorpioninblue]

Sorry for the duplicate post!!! LOL! I didn't see the first one and thought I forgot to hit the submit button!!

 

[derekimo]

Thanks Derek for the great words of encouragement! I'm feeling more confident and just may take the plunge after reading your post!

Like so many here, I was a former XP user...... I didn't waste my time or money on Vista, so when Microsoft finally got 7 finished and after reading the great reviews, I decided it was time for a new desktop. I have a HP machine and it runs as smooth as silk, so you can see my extreme caution at applying anything that would disrupt that!!!

It seems that Microsoft was determined to satisfy the user desire for personalization in 7 and they went all out to fulfill that need. They made a lot of effort to keep people from 'tampering' with it, and I heard that even Stardock was having trouble getting Windowblinds to work well. When I first read about Uxstyle, I thought......there is no way this can work and not cause some unforeseen problems! But apparently I'm wrong!

I'll probably do a full registry back up and set a restore point before starting anything when I do decide to try it and of course report back with the outcome! Thanks a million!!

You're welcome,
Uxstyle is harmless, the universal theme patcher was what altered files which is why I switched to Uxstyle plus it's just easier. As for windowblinds I didn't have any problems with it but I just took it off to get rid of some startup programs.
I never used xp but I did and still use vista and I find 7 alot easier to play with as far as customizing, Just my experience anyway.
Anyway keep us posted and enjoy the forum and your new themes should you decide to start customizing.
Derek

 

[Dixon Butz]

I just uninstalled uxstyle a few days ago. I would lose areo when logging off and logging on. I could still see uxstyle in task manager, but I could not get aero back on until reboot. This was on a very fresh Win7 32bit install. I went back to patching the theme files and all is fine.

 

[scorpioninblue]

Thanks for your post....it's good to hear both the pros and cons beforehand!

 

[Shrantellatessa]

Hello Scorpion,
Sorry for the late reply

I'm still using it and it runs just fine, no problems at all; and if this can help you, I too was very worried and afraid before enabling custom themes, now I don't regret using UxStyle and I'm enjoying the beautiful themes!

 

[scorpioninblue]

Thanks for your reply! Well I'm going to take the plunge also, it all seemed to easy which is why I was so hesitant.......but now after reading your reply I can see I have nothing to worry about! Thanks again!

 

[Shrantellatessa]

You're welcome! ^_^