[Windows] Finally, a windows Show-Off. This show off is about applying “Custom Visual Style” or simply, getting rid of the banal Windows XP/Vista theme and installing new themes. First, I will go through the installation procedure and then I will mention the Top 5 Latest Visual Styles.

Installation:

1. First Back-up your current setting (in case anything screws up)

Press WINKEY+R to bring up Run dialog and enter the following command:

C:\Windows\System32\restore\rstrui.exe

Create a restore point and name it appropriately (I named it StylePatch).

2. Patch your Windows in order to install Non-microsoft themes.

For Windows XP, download the Uxtheme Multi-Patcher. Run the file, click through the prompts and reboot. For XP user with SP3 download SP3 UxTheme Patcher 1.2 .

For Windows Vista, download VistaGlazz. You must download the VistaGlazz Beta 1.1 if you have installed Vista SP1, version 1.0 will screw up Vista SP1. Run the file, click through the prompts and reboot.

Both patching programs will allow you to reverse the process should anything go wrong by simply running the program again. (Never needed do it though)

3. Downlaod and Install Custom Visual Style.

Unpack the downloaded theme in the following directory

C:\Windows\Resources\Themes

To change the installed Visual Styles navigate to

XP: Right-click Desktop -> Properties -> Themes Tab (or Appearance Tab for Styles)

Vista: Right-click Desktop - > Personalize -> Themes

Note: If you cannot find the installed theme there please check the followings:

• .Theme files must be in the /Themes/ folder, not within any subfolders.
• .MSStyles files must be in their own sub-folders. If the style name is NewStyle.msstyles, then sub folder in /Themes/ must be /Themes/NewStyle/
• If your style pack came with a shellstyle.dll, that also goes within it’s own subfolder, i.e. /Themes/NewStyle/shell/
• If you have any problem with loading a style or theme, go back and double check for spelling and capitalization. The names are case sensitive. If a file has a combination of upper and lower case letters, the folder name you place it in must be spelled exactly the same.

Top 5 Latest Visual Styles:

OminOS Final by ~emmanemma on deviantART

Windows 7 Ultimate by ~Baal-wa-astarte on deviantART

IE 8 Beta VS Update by ~grdcityboy on deviantART

Tango Hashed RC1 U1 by ~zoontek on deviantART

rrreptile by ~vekanoid on deviantART

I am currently using Windows 7 Ultimate by ~Baal-wa-astarte on deviantART, and I must say “I am pretty much impressed” (the snapshot at the top). If you like the post, please Stumble it!