The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Is it advisable to change Windows Vista Themes?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by steelroots7xe, Jan 25, 2009.

  1. steelroots7xe

    steelroots7xe Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    73
    Messages:
    397
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Lately I've been thinking about changing my Vista theme by downloading some off of the net.

    Does changing your Vista themes just make your system perform slower? Is it safe to do this? Would it modify any toolbar/taskbar icons or mess up your system?

    Does anyone know any reliable websites which offer (if existing) official themes for Vista?

    I want to make my notebook interface look more unique...

    Thanks for any advice given....
     
  2. plasma.

    plasma. herpyderpy

    Reputations:
    1,279
    Messages:
    2,870
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    No it doesn't. I've been using a theme ever since I've gotten my system and I have no complaints.

    Be sure to make a backup of your Aero theme though.
     
  3. EnterKnight

    EnterKnight Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    65
    Messages:
    646
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The default themes stay if you install new ones.
    Use VistaGlazz, and Devianart.com Customization->Skins & Themes->Windows Vista Utilities->Visual Styles

    SteelFlash and NEXTLevel are very nice.

    No performance issues, since it works just like a normal theme. Crap like WindowBlinds uses system resources on top of everything.
     
  4. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

    Reputations:
    14,217
    Messages:
    15,406
    Likes Received:
    87
    Trophy Points:
    466
    Here is a great thread created by CeeNote on Windows Vista Themes, etc.:

    Guide to changing your Vista theme and more...

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=268502

    Please check it out, it's an awesome resource ;)


    Cin ;) :)
     
  5. steelroots7xe

    steelroots7xe Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    73
    Messages:
    397
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Ok. Thanks alot guys for all your advice. I think I'll change my theme soon. However, one more question...why do you need to backup your Aero theme? Will all the current preset themes on Vista get deleted once I install the program to install new ones?
     
  6. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    2,972
    Messages:
    7,788
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    you always want the original one as a fallback. my vista theme didn't work after sp1 => the gui was completely ****** up. being able to revert back to the original is always a required option, isn't it?