Poking Around the .theme Files

[mSeliga]

So I decided to look into the .theme file. Although through the nice ui, we only have a few options, it appears as if we have almost limitless in these files.

; Copyright © Microsoft Corp.
 
; Windows 7 - IDS_THEME_DISPLAYNAME_AERO
 
; Computer - SHIDI_SERVER
[CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\DefaultIcon]
DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-109
 
; UsersFiles - SHIDI_USERFILES
[CLSID\{59031A47-3F72-44A7-89C5-5595FE6B30EE}\DefaultIcon]
DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-123
 
; Network - SHIDI_MYNETWORK
[CLSID\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}\DefaultIcon]
DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-25
 
; Recycle Bin - SHIDI_RECYCLERFULL SHIDI_RECYCLER
[CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon]
Full=recycle_white_full_512.ico
Empty=recycle_white_empty_512.ico
 
[Control Panel\Cursors]
AppStarting=%SystemRoot%\cursors\wait_r.cur
Arrow=%SystemRoot%\cursors\arrow_r.cur
Help=%SystemRoot%\cursors\help_r.cur
No=%SystemRoot%\cursors\no_r.cur
NWPen=%SystemRoot%\cursors\pen_r.cur
SizeAll=%SystemRoot%\cursors\move_r.cur
SizeNESW=%SystemRoot%\cursors\size1_r.cur
SizeNS=%SystemRoot%\cursors\size4_r.cur
SizeNWSE=%SystemRoot%\cursors\size2_r.cur
SizeWE=%SystemRoot%\cursors\size3_r.cur
UpArrow=%SystemRoot%\cursors\up_r.cur
Wait=%SystemRoot%\cursors\busy_r.cur
DefaultValue=Windows Black
Crosshair=%SystemRoot%\cursors\cross_r.cur
IBeam=%SystemRoot%\cursors\beam_r.cur
 
[Control Panel\Desktop]
Wallpaper=DesktopBackground\1920x1200.jpg
TileWallpaper=0
WallpaperStyle=10
Pattern=
 
[VisualStyles]
Path=%SystemRoot%\resources\themes\Aero\Aero.msstyles
ColorStyle=NormalColor
Size=NormalSize
ColorizationColor=0X66332929
Transparency=1
VisualStyleVersion=10
 
[boot]
SCRNSAVE.EXE=%SystemRoot%\system32\Aurora.scr
 
[MasterThemeSelector]
MTSM=DABJDKT
 
[Sounds]
; IDS_SCHEME_DEFAULT
SchemeName=Windows Default
 
[Metrics]
NonclientMetrics=84 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 68 105 103 105 102 97 99 101 87 105 100 101 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 245 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 68 105 103 105 102 97 99 101 87 105 100 101 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 68 105 103 105 102 97 99 101 87 105 100 101 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
IconMetrics=76 0 0 0 75 0 0 0 75 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
PaddedBorderWidth=4
[Control Panel\Colors]
Scrollbar=200 200 200
Background=0 0 0
ActiveTitle=153 180 209
InactiveTitle=191 205 219
Menu=240 240 240
Window=255 255 255
WindowFrame=100 100 100
MenuText=0 0 0
WindowText=0 0 0
TitleText=0 0 0
ActiveBorder=180 180 180
InactiveBorder=244 247 252
AppWorkspace=171 171 171
Hilight=51 153 255
HilightText=255 255 255
ButtonFace=240 240 240
ButtonShadow=160 160 160
GrayText=128 128 128
ButtonText=0 0 0
InactiveTitleText=67 78 84
ButtonHilight=255 255 255
ButtonDkShadow=105 105 105
ButtonLight=227 227 227
InfoText=0 0 0
InfoWindow=255 255 225
ButtonAlternateFace=0 0 0
HotTrackingColor=0 102 204
GradientActiveTitle=185 209 234
GradientInactiveTitle=215 228 242
MenuHilight=51 153 255
MenuBar=240 240 240
[Slideshow]
Interval=180000
Shuffle=1
ImagesRootPath=DesktopBackground

There is alot of stuff in here. I'd be interested in seeing if custom styles would work and how much we can edit without breaking it.

 

[Mark]

There is always system restore, just remember to create one before you do anything to drastic!

 

[z3r010]

Have you checked this out on msdn - Creating and Installing Theme Files

 

[mSeliga]

Have you checked this out on msdn - Creating and Installing Theme Files

I did not see that. But that is definitely helpful.

 

[MilesAhead]

So if you double click a Vista 3rd party .msstyles file will the monitor explode? Or are they not bothering with the digital signature mumbo jumbo this time around?

 

[mSeliga]

So if you double click a Vista 3rd party .msstyles file will the monitor explode? Or are they not bothering with the digital signature mumbo jumbo this time around?

Not sure. I wouldn't try it with a Vista style since it may not be compatible. Maybe try and edit a 7 style and run it.

 

[z3r010]

Just for laughs I tested it with the XP royale theme - it changes the wallpaper and sets the system to classic.

I noticed in the msdn docs there is still mention of the rss wallpaper feeds, has anybody had a play with that setting yet?

 

[mSeliga]

I didn't think it is enabled. I saw on withinwindows.com that it had been taken out of this build.

EDIT
Disabled, my bad.

 

[Romulinx2]

Have you checked this out on msdn - Creating and Installing Theme Files

Nice thanks for the info.

 

[z3r010]

I didn't think it is enabled. I saw on withinwindows.com that it had been taken out of this build.

EDIT
Disabled, my bad.

I have just read that it can still be enabled in the config file:-
RSS-powered Windows 7 desktop slideshows - istartedsomething
Windows Live FrameIt and RSS powered Windows 7 desktop slideshows - Windows Live