Adding Custom Window's Vista Themes

[The-King]

Now I'm a newb when it comes to PCs as I've grown up using Macs and can do pretty much anything on a system running OSX. But when it comes to Windows I'm about as clueless as a four year old at an orgy, but my question is simple, how do I add and use custom downloaded themes for windows Vista, is there a folder or something where I need to place the files or what, because Windows has no clue what to do with in regards to .wba files.

[Girish]

Here's a good tutorial that will help you: http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/...-in-Vista/38402

[philster_12]

Check wether the file you downloaded has a README File , if not you can search the web for installation of themes, it will just be copy and paste Stuff

[H4milton]

Quick Vista Theme Installation Guide:

 

To use custom visual styles you need to patch your system, via VistaGlazz or TuneUp Utilities

 

Next copy theme(s) to 'C:\Windows\Resources\Themes' (where C is the partition with Windows installed)

 

Now you can change the visual style by clicking any .msstyle file, or via 'Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization\Personalization\Window Color and Appearance'

 

 

 

Full Vista Theme Installation Guide:

 

These are my visual styles & shellstyles for Windows Vista.

 

How to install custom visual styles for Vista:

 

1. Patching system:

 

To use custom visual style, you need to patch your system so it recognizes them.

 

I recommend to use TuneUp Utitlities (shareware) > you simply install it, launch the TuneUp Styler, and that's all. From now on you can open change the vs by double clicking any .msstyle file (of course you can apply only a vs when it's in the correct location, read further)

 

OR you can use VistaGlazz (freeware) > you simply install it, launch it & patch system files

 

2. Style installation:

 

a) For a visual styles:

 

- download vs of choice

- unpack archive content to disk

- now locate the folder that contains an .mssstyles file

- copy this folder to X:\Windows\Resources\Themes (where X is the disk letter with Windows Vista installed)

 

b) For a shellstyle:

 

- download shellstyle of choice

- unpack archive content to disk

- locate the shellstyle.dll file

- copy it to X:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero\Shell\ NormalColor (where X is the disk letter with Windows Vista installed)

 

3. Applying the style:

 

It is recommended to install DeskHack at this point.

 

- doubleclick any .msstyle file, a window will open allowing you to choose your newly installed visual style (or the shellstyle)

- if you haven't installed DeskHack you may find difficult to apply the style that you want at the moment. This is what DeskHack does, it shows the real names of custom visual styles installed on your Vista.

 

 

 

One recommended theme by me is NEXTLevel

 

If u screw everything up in this process don't blame me, so proceed with caution! and at your own risk ;-)