Solved Need help installing custom Win7 theme

drake86

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Hello,

I have recently built my own gaming rig and would like a snazzy theme to go with it, specifically this one.

Thing is, I've tried to install custom Windows themes in the past... and it usually ends with a system restore after my desktop looks like a bombsite.

I was wondering if someone on here would be gracious enough to give me a step-by-step, idiot's guide to installing this particular theme? I know there are various tutorials online but not all themes are packaged the same, and it can be overwhelming for newbs like myself.

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Aerocool
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
CPU
Intel Core i5 i5-4690K
Motherboard
Asus Z97-A Intel Z97
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GTX 970
Hard Drives
Samsung 2.5-Inch 250 GB 850 EVO Solid State Drive
WD 1TB 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive
Browser
Chrome
Don't all try and help me at once! :p

So, I took it upon myself to install it. Copied the theme files to the root Themes directory. Took ownership of the DLL files, replaced the corresponding files in System32 & SysWOw64 (but changed the originals to back-ups). Restarted my comp aaaand...

BZZZZT.... The application was unable to start correctly (0x000007b).

I couldn't even access my desktop or anything. I had to insert my Windows 7 CD and use a System Restore point to get it working again.

See? This is why I can't have nice things. :(
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Aerocool
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
CPU
Intel Core i5 i5-4690K
Motherboard
Asus Z97-A Intel Z97
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GTX 970
Hard Drives
Samsung 2.5-Inch 250 GB 850 EVO Solid State Drive
WD 1TB 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive
Browser
Chrome
Go to the personalisation screen GUI, choose get more themes on line, im using the GT ones.

Roy
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
medionl/Aspire 6930G/acer x55a
OS
W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
CPU
E5300 dual core
Motherboard
medion MS7366
Memory
3gb
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia Geforce 7100 Nforce 630i
Monitor(s) Displays
avixc
Internet Speed
n (isp resticted to 72)
Antivirus
mse/pands
Browser
palemoon
Other Info
Belkin Fd7050 n USB using Railink RT2870 drivers, more upto date
Go to the personalisation screen GUI, choose get more themes on line, im using the GT ones.

Roy

No offence, but how does that help me install this theme?
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Aerocool
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
CPU
Intel Core i5 i5-4690K
Motherboard
Asus Z97-A Intel Z97
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GTX 970
Hard Drives
Samsung 2.5-Inch 250 GB 850 EVO Solid State Drive
WD 1TB 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive
Browser
Chrome
Okay, so I've got the basic theme working. Now I need help changing the explorer.dll files without borking my comp.

As I understand it, I need to:
  • Run an elevated command prompt
  • Rename the System32 & SysWOW64 explorerframe.dll files to explorerframe.dll.bak
  • Copy over the explorerframe.dll theme files
  • Task manager > close explorer.exe
  • Task manager > create new task > explorer
  • ...Profit?
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Aerocool
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
CPU
Intel Core i5 i5-4690K
Motherboard
Asus Z97-A Intel Z97
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GTX 970
Hard Drives
Samsung 2.5-Inch 250 GB 850 EVO Solid State Drive
WD 1TB 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive
Browser
Chrome
Still getting the 0x000007b error when I replace the explorerframe.dll files. :mad:
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Aerocool
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
CPU
Intel Core i5 i5-4690K
Motherboard
Asus Z97-A Intel Z97
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GTX 970
Hard Drives
Samsung 2.5-Inch 250 GB 850 EVO Solid State Drive
WD 1TB 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive
Browser
Chrome
Just so I know I've got this right...

Explorerframe.dll X86 SP1 > This goes into System 32
Explorerframe.dll x64 SP1 > This goes into SysWOw64

????
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Aerocool
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
CPU
Intel Core i5 i5-4690K
Motherboard
Asus Z97-A Intel Z97
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GTX 970
Hard Drives
Samsung 2.5-Inch 250 GB 850 EVO Solid State Drive
WD 1TB 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive
Browser
Chrome
Just so I know I've got this right...

Explorerframe.dll X86 SP1 > This goes into System 32
Explorerframe.dll x64 SP1 > This goes into SysWOw64

????

Nope, turns out it's the other way around. Theme is now working. :)

Thanks for nothing.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Aerocool
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
CPU
Intel Core i5 i5-4690K
Motherboard
Asus Z97-A Intel Z97
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GTX 970
Hard Drives
Samsung 2.5-Inch 250 GB 850 EVO Solid State Drive
WD 1TB 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive
Browser
Chrome
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