Tutorial: How to install and use Vista themes and visual styles

**Homeboy** · #1 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 11:12 AM

Step 1: Download Windows Vista UxTheme patch.

How to install

1. Login as a user with Administrative privileges -or- have Administrative credentials ready (check under the keyboard for a slip of paper).
2. Navigate to %systemroot%\System32
3. Right-click uxtheme.dll and click properties.
4. Take ownership of the file and close dialogs.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for themeui.dll and shsvcs.dll
6. Right-click uxtheme.dll and click properties.
7. Give yourself (or group) Full Control permissions and close dialogs.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 for themeui.dll and shsvcs.dll.
9. Rename uxtheme.dll to uxtheme.old.
10. Rename themeui.dll to themeui.old.
11. Rename shsvcs.dll to shsvcs.old.
12. Copy patched files into %systemroot%\System32
13. Reboot (yes, this is really required)

Step 1b: If you find the above too intimidating, download VistaGlazz and just run it, it automates the whole patching process so you don't have to worry about it! It is basically like Neowin uxtheme patcher we used to have for Windows XP.

Step 2: Download a Windows Vista Visual style from our free Windows Vista Themes gallery, and copy the theme to Windows/Resources/Themes folder.

Step 3: Right click on desktop and click on Personalize. From the page that pops up, click on Theme and choose your newly installed theme!

torado · #2 (**permalink**) 05-17-2007, 06:30 AM

Thanks for tutorial. Now I can use themes on my Vista box too

dontasciime · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 04:18 PM

Is it def the themes bit you click on as mine is not working, i used the glazz patch etc, only way i can get it to kinda work is by using personalise, then window colour and appearance and then click on open classic appearance properties.

Even then they all listed as aero

anyone know whats wrong

GaGa · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontasciime

Is it def the themes bit you click on as mine is not working, i used the glazz patch etc, only way i can get it to kinda work is by using personalise, then window colour and appearance and then click on open classic appearance properties.

Even then they all listed as aero

anyone know whats wrong

i have the same problem :S ?

Jesus · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 09:22 AM

The themes's don't show up

:-(

I've tried tons of stuff but nothing happens

yetimeister · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 09:41 PM

i've downloaded VistGlazz and ran the patch & extracted the .theme to where i can load it into Theme Settings under the Theme tab in Personlization & i get the same look that was shown above in the picture.. i'm running windows vista ulitmate.

any idea what the problem is?

**Homeboy** · #7 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 09:43 AM

Guys, the new themes you install are always going to show up as Aero's duplicate. Apply all the duplicate themes and see if there is any difference.

Also, if the theme you downloaded comes as ".msstyle" only, then you have to copy the original Aero theme folder, rename it to your new theme's name e.g., "Max clear", and replace the old ".msstyle" file in the copied folder with the new ".msstyle" file.

Hope that helps.

eastsidex408 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 09:42 AM

I have windows vista home basic i installed "vistaGlazz" and patch everthing. still doesnt work. does anybody know how to install ".msstyles" to windows vista

**Homeboy** · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 06:49 PM

eastsidex408 you need to download themes that were designed for Vista Basic. You can find some good ones on the main GUI MODS page.

eastsidex408 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 03:53 AM

call me stupid back i dont see any windows vista themes on this website. do you know of another website where i can find vista themes. i search endless hours just to find. vista themes for xp.....ahhhh