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I open this topic to illustrate and explain how to customize your desktop with beautiful themes.

How to Install & Use Custom 3rd Party Themes

Windows does not allow 3rd party themes by default thus we need to patch Windows to be able
to use those themes. You can use either of the following mentioned free utilities to patch your
Windows and to use your favorite 3rd party theme:

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UxTheme Patcher supports Windows XP SP2/SP3, Server 2003, Vista SP1/SP2, Server 2008 and
Windows 7. It can be used in both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) systems.
1. You just need to run its EXE file and it'll ask you to select the language.
2. Click on OK button and it'll detect the OS and condition of the system files. It'll show you the
information and will ask you for confirmation.
3. Click on Yes button. Now you'll see the main interface of this tool. You just need to click on
the "Patch" button given for each file:
4.Once you patch a file, the "Restore" button gets activated so that you can restore the default
file in future.
5. Restart your system and you'll be able to use 3rd party themes in Windows without any
problem.


Applying Custom 3rd Party Theme

Once you have patched Windows, copy your desired theme folder (containing a .theme file and
a folder containing .msstyles file) to "%windir%ResourcesThemes" folder (where %windir%
means "Windows" directory present in system drive where Windows is installed.
Most probably C: drive). Now double-click on .theme file and it'll apply the theme or you can
apply it using Desktop Properties. Also make sure to install any included fonts first.


How to Add "Take Ownership" Option to File or Folder Context Menu

Many times you need to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows. For example, when you
want to customize Windows UI (explorer.exe, explorerframe.dll, shell32.dll) and need to replace
existing system files with a new one.
You just need to download following zip file and extract it. You'll get a .REG file. Run the file
and accept the confirmation:
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It'll add an extra option "Take ownership" in file and folder context menu:

Now you can right-click on any file or folder and select "Take ownership" option. It'll make you
the owner of the file or folder and you can perform your desired operation on that file or folder
such as replacing it.
After taking ownership of the file, backup your original and rename it, then replace it with the
new modded version.
For example to replace explorer.exe, first takeownership. Then rename to, for example
explorer.bak, once that is complete replace it with the modified version of explorer.exe that you
have.

Changing theme fonts

If you want smaller fonts or to change the actual font for a theme follow these instructions from
the WSB forums...
"Step 1: Open the theme you want to change in a resource hacker. (I use Restorator 2007.)
Step 2: Navigate to the string resource and expand.
Step 3: Drag/drop (or export) "Neutral" into Explorer.
Step 4: Open Neutral.rc in a text editor. (Notepad will suffice)
Step 5: Replace all instances of Font size with your preferred size.
Step 6: Save Neutral.rc
Step 7: Drag/Drop (or import) the new Neutral.rc from Explorer back into your resource hacker.
Step 8: Save the theme.
Step 9: Apply!"

Changing Icons

This can be tricky, for those that want a blank icons You must login or register to view this content. Theme
It's very easy in Windows 7 with shortcuts to right click/Properties/Shortcut/Change Icon. With
application and system files you have to resort to an icon packager or/as well as reshackiing the
application and finding it's main icon and replacing it.

Alternate Applications/Tools

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Along with a huge gallery of Start Orbs to choose from Startorbs

You must login or register to view this content.: Change Windows 7 Navigation Buttons Easily

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Definitions

VS - Visual Style > check all visual style theme You must login or register to view this content.

LS - Litestep > check all litestep theme You must login or register to view this content.

TT - TrueTransparency > TrueTransparency is a free application that allows you to replace your windows's borders by skins composed with transparent images. With skins highly configurable, a one-click skin selector, a low memory usage and without installation process, change the look and feel of your windows GUI has never been so easy. Bring Vista transparency to your XP desktop with TrueTransparency. You must login or register to view this content.

CAD - CD Art Display > theme/mod related to CD Art Display Player. You must login or register to view this content.

Launchy - Launchy is a free cross-platform utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager.
Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes! You must login or register to view this content.

Rainmeter - Rainmeter displays customizable skins, like memory and battery power, RSS feeds and weather forecasts, right on your desktop. Many skins are even functional: they can record your notes and to-do lists, launch your favorite applications, and control your media player - all in a clean, unobtrusive interface that you can rearrange and customize to your liking. Rainmeter is at once an application and a toolkit. You are only limited by your imagination and creativity.
Rainmeter is open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the You must login or register to view this content. license. You must login or register to view this content.

Browse Rainmater on You must login or register to view this content.


How to Install Litestep on Windows 7




Additional .dll File

for System32
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Litestep Modules
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My Desktop :p
VS + LS + Launchy + CAD + Iconpackager!

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