Tutorial Thursday
Microsoft put a tight leash on Windows XP when it came to switching visual styles (a.k.a themes). They were probably afraid of what could happen if users were able to install any theme that they stumbled upon, whether it be complete or incomplete. I understand why they require the visual styles to be digitally signed, but I think it should be more like installing unsigned drivers where they warn you with a prompt but offer the option to continue anyway.
There’s no looking back now…so lets look at how we can get this done in Windows XP SP2. This modification does require you to replace an existing system file, but I’m sure millions have people have already done this considering that 580,000 + people have downloaded the file from Softpedia alone. One of the major benefits about doing this is that it uses Windows to apply the theme, so no external program is needed.
- Download and extract it to a location that is easy to access, and you should now see a file called uxtheme.dll.
- Go to C:\WINDOWS\system32 and locate the file called uxtheme.dll. After you have found it rename it to something else in case you want to revert back to it later. For example, change the file name to uxthemeBAK.dll or uxtheme.dll.bak so that you can easily recognize it as the backup.
- Copy the file that you extracted in step 1 (uxtheme.dll) to the C:\WINDOWS\system32 folder. You should receive the following two prompts:
Click Cancel when you receive this prompt: “Files that are required for Windows to run properly have been replaced by unrecognized versions. To maintain system stability, Windows must restore the original versions of these files. Insert your Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 CD now.“
And then click Yes when you receive this prompt: “You chose not to restore the original versions of the files. This may affect Windows stability. Are you sure you want to keep these unrecognized file versions?“
- Reboot your PC so that the new file can be loaded into memory.
Now your computer is capable of running nearly any “visual style” (as Microsoft likes to call it) that you can find on the Web. The trick, however, is to find them. Most, if not all, of the themes that you download should be as simple as extracting them and dropping them into the proper folder:
- Download a visual style that looks interesting to you. I recommend getting them from DeviantArt because the files are clean, whereas a lot of other sites offering the visual styles typically bundle them with spyware or adware. Here is a small sampling of the visual styles that are available at DeviantArt (they are all Vista variations):
**Note: They all have screenshots on their main page, and you can click on them for a full-size view.**- OB Windows Media Player 11 (this is one of my favorites and comes with an easy-to-use, clean, installer so that you don’t have to worry about the next few steps)
- Windows Vista Basic (and here is a slightly modded version)
- LongHorn PerfectionX2
- Oh No. Another Vista…
- VistaCG
- If the visual style that you downloaded don’t have an installer you will have to copy some files manually (there should be a ReadMe file in the download that lets you know what you have to do). If there is no installer you’ll need to copy the folder containing the .msstyles file to C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes
- Now you need to enable the visual style by right-clicking on your Desktop and going to Properties -> Appearance and under the drop-down menu for Windows and buttons select the name of your theme.
That’s how you can change your Windows XP theme without ever needing to install an application. There are several great (and some free) applications available if you are looking for something that might be a little easier to use, such as WindowBlinds which also has a more advanced version available for a small fee.
Here is an installer for uxtheme
[neowin.net]
It works great.
Haven’t ya come across uxtheme multi patcher ?
It is a single click solution for all xp editions…
Been using this for a few months now with different themes
I like this Ubuntu Human theme the best
[deviantart.com]
Dude, that uxtheme.dll completely messed up my system. I had to use System Restore to even boot into Windows.
I’ve been doing this, choosing to manually patch it myself as well, for years. I don’t care for the multipatchers or whatever because I’d just rather do it myself. The thing I like most about it is no extra software, no Windowblinds, no StyleXP, no nothing.
I’m more of a fan doing the manual patch myself because I know exactly what it going on. To me it is just as simple to copy a file in the directory.
There server is having a hard time loading the image for me, but generally speaking the Ubuntu theme is really nice. They are one of the few reasons that I like the gnome interface, because I typically only use KDE in Linux.
Are you running Windows XP SP2? That patch is only for that version but as others have mentioned here there is an installer that will take care of all the different versions for you.
Same here. It’s nice to know what’s going on with your computer and dragging a file over into a folder is not too tedious.
Sweet! Thanks Ryan, I too agree with OB Windows Media Player 11, looks sweet!
No problem…and yes, that Media Player 11 theme is pretty sweet.
I’m with onlineapps on this one, only I got it even worse than him; that .dll totally fuXxor3d my box, and I’ve only just got the damn thing back to where it was. I followed the instructions to the letter, too. Maybe XP Pro only?
I’ve only tried it on XP Pro so it might be, but there is always the “uxtheme installer” mentioned in the first comment if you were looking to try something else. That is supposedly supposed to detect your operating system and overwrite the current file with the proper one.
hey i have a problem! i used the replacer on the uxtheme without changing it to the replacable verion on sp2. Now i cant see anything except the desktop wallpaper, no start no desktop icons and i cant click anything except ctrl alt delete. An error message keeps appearing saying “The application or DLL C:\WINDOWS\system32\Uxtheme.dll is not a valid windows image. please check this against your installation diskette”
how do i fix my messed up computer?
NO work
OK, I found a new app that DID work on my WinXP SP2 Home Edition:
[studio7designs.com]
Thanks for the update!
Please keep in mind that the coming XP SP3 will break the old patch. There is a new Uxtheme out there, I just can’t find it.
That’s a good point. I’ll keep an eye out for an updated Uxtheme.
doesn’t work for me.
I did everything , but it still don’t work.
I am using XP professional SP2
This is great! Totally worked for me!!
D Just followed the simple instructions and I’m good for other themes already!! 
DD THANKS SO MUCH! I did it without my computer crashing again!! 
DD THANKYOU THANKYOU!
update to the # of downloads, as of december 2009, over 1.5 million
I replaced the file, but I did not get the prompts he said I would. Did it a second time to make sure, still no prompt about changing a windows file; and it still wont let me put another theme on