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    Best Free Theme Program for Windows XP?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by usapatriot, Apr 30, 2006.

  1. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    ^ Yeah That.

    Thanks
     
    usapatriot, Apr 30, 2006
    #1
  2. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    I use XP Royale. I think I spelt it wrong. Try searching in google. :)
    Tim
     
    Tim, May 1, 2006
    #2
  3. hehe299792458

    hehe299792458 Notebook Deity

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    Win Blinds opens give you a wide range of themes, even in the free mode.
     
    hehe299792458, Feb 3, 2007
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  4. iza

    iza Notebook Evangelist

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    I never like the idea of having a 3rd party program running in the background just for theming capability that's already built-in to xp, just blocked. (except alpha-blending).
    I recommend patching your uxtheme.dll file
    patcher here --> http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=501245
    Then you can freely use custom visual styles (.msstyles files), without having any extra programs running in the background.

    Tons of visual styles available at deviantart
    here --> http://browse.deviantart.com/?catpath=customization/skins/windows/visualstyle/&order=9&alltime=yes

    Just download the archive file of a theme you want (usually zip or rar or whatever), and extract to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes
    Then when you right-click-desktop properties, the theme should show up in the list in the 'appearance' tab.
    If it doesn't show up, you can just double-click the .msstyles file in explorer and it should come up.
     
    iza, Feb 3, 2007
    #4
  5. Lysander

    Lysander AFK, raid time.

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    Yeah, I like the patch way too. But at the moment I'm just using the MS Zune theme.
     
    Lysander, Feb 3, 2007
    #5
  6. ttupa

    ttupa Tech Elitist NBR Reviewer

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    Check the Theming Windows XP thread at the top of the Software forum. You should find all of your answers there.
     
    ttupa, Feb 3, 2007
    #6
  7. hehe299792458

    hehe299792458 Notebook Deity

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    You do realise that Win Blind takes less memory, cpu, and graphics power to create the transparency effect than Vista.
     
    hehe299792458, Feb 3, 2007
    #7
  8. ttupa

    ttupa Tech Elitist NBR Reviewer

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    Yes, and that's all you get with Vista is the transparency :rolleyes: ;) ...

    Besides, Vista is much better at maximizing memory usage than XP. Even though you use more RAM when idle, Vista optimizes memory for your current tasks. XP does not.
     
    ttupa, Feb 3, 2007
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  9. Crono139

    Crono139 Notebook Geek

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    Crono139, Feb 3, 2007
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  10. LIVEFRMNYC

    LIVEFRMNYC Blah Blah Blah!!!

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    I second the MS Zune theme. I changed my background pic tho. But the color sheme is perfect for me. :)
     
    LIVEFRMNYC, Feb 4, 2007
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  11. Lysander

    Lysander AFK, raid time.

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    Yeah, I switch between all the official themes, depending on the colour scheme of my wallpaper.
     
    Lysander, Feb 4, 2007
    #11
  12. sojourner21

    sojourner21 Notebook Consultant

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    Does anyone have a recommendation for the best Vista-lookalike theme (without using WB or other 3rd party programs)?
     
    sojourner21, Feb 4, 2007
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  13. firelord901

    firelord901 Notebook Consultant

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    The Vista Transformation Pack (search google) Comes with actual vista backgrounds and sidebar etc.
     
    firelord901, Feb 4, 2007
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  14. hehe299792458

    hehe299792458 Notebook Deity

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    deviantart.com usually have some good themes
     
    hehe299792458, Feb 5, 2007
    #14