The Windows start button and task bar

Halcyon · 09-05-2008, 17:52

Hello everyone,

I'm sick of looking at the awful childish XP green start button and blue task bar and these are the main things I would like to change, nothing else.

I've heard people talk of things like Windows Blinds, StyleXP, etc, but I am sure these use up system resources and slow you down.
I've even heard of something called TransformXP that makes your machine look like Vista.

I had heard of something called royale_noir theme but I don't know if it's reliable.

Does anyone know if there is a simple way of just dumping a new theme in to the themes folder and that is not resource hungry.
All I want is a black taskbar and start menu that looks better.

Thanks for your help,

halcyon.

Zeph · 09-05-2008, 17:54

StyleXP et al do use some system resources but if you've got a beefy enough PC as it is, you're unlikely to notice it

nicke261192 · 09-05-2008, 18:07

Your best bet is to use .msstyles themes that you can find all over the internet and they don't need any third party software to be installed for you to use them: Link

There are a few on here that you may like but just google "msstyles themes" and you will find many more

However you do need to patch your Uxtheme.dll file first: Link

Halcyon · 09-05-2008, 19:50

Thanks for the suggestions. I'l check those out.

kryogenik · 09-05-2008, 20:09

I use msstyles Halcyon - attached is a grab of my XP taskbar. You can change this tioblue/green/grey etc.
I'll be happy to upload the style for you, it's the best I've seen and I spent a long time trying to find a good one.
It basically turns XP into a Vista lookalike without having Window Blinds running or anything.
As nicke261192 says, you do need to patch that .dll but it's a doddle to do.
THIS is the tutorial I used (includes already patched files).

Let me know if you'd like it - it's about 17mb.
:edit: it's actually compressed to just over 3mb which is surprising..

nicke261192 · 09-05-2008, 22:11

I Wouldn't Mind Trying That Skin If You Wouldn't Mind Uploading It Please

Chicken · 09-05-2008, 22:24

I've been using the Vista Anthracite Pack for the last year or so and it looks great. I've just installed SP3 and now it doesn't work.

Typical Microsoft.

kryogenik · 09-05-2008, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicke261192

I Wouldn't Mind Trying That Skin If You Wouldn't Mind Uploading It Please

No worries.

www.ootini.net/upload

Halcyon · 09-05-2008, 22:30

A friend of mine uses the Windows Vista transformation pack.
This makes everything from icons to boot screen resemble Vista.
http://www.jcxp.net/vtp/

What I am am after however is basically the normal XP with just the taskbar and start menu changed. Googling Royal noir gets you a Micorsoft theme that is slightly black but not totally black. I also don't like them to be too glass looking. It's over used.

Kryogenik, it would be great to see your theme, thanks.

kryogenik · 09-05-2008, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Kryogenik, it would be great to see your theme, thanks.

As above chief.
I think you'll like it if I'm honest.

ikthius · 10-05-2008, 09:41

I got a hacked uxtheme but I downloaded a replacer to do that as after going to SP3 it would not do it when I tried it, the replacer done it for me. easy to follow. open up replacer it opens a command prompt, find your original uxtheme in C:\windows\system32\uxtheme.dll drag this to the cmd window, then hit enter, it asks you to find your new one, I placed this on the desktop it dragged that over to the cmd window, hit enter, it replaces the file for you. you need to reboot.

I have VistaXP as a style and this is stored in C:\windows\Resources\Themes

after the reboot, I just done the normal right click on desktop, properties and changed the theme to modified theme, then went to Appearance and picked my VistXP

here is my screenny of my theme

ik

ikthius · 10-05-2008, 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicken

I've been using the Vista Anthracite Pack for the last year or so and it looks great. I've just installed SP3 and now it doesn't work.

Typical Microsoft.

if it is a hecked uxtheme.dll you used to apply that style, then you will have to replace the uxtheme.dll again. then it will work, same happened to my style, but I got it back.

Angua · 10-05-2008, 10:03

This link may well allow you to just use the task bar part
http://www.askvg.com/vistavg-blue-theme-for-windows-xp/

I did have just what you were after on my old computer which if it is still there I will try & find the source.

zinglebarb · 10-05-2008, 10:37

I just use Vista lol

---------- Post added at 10:37 ---------- Previous post was at 10:35 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

A friend of mine uses the Windows Vista transformation pack.
This makes everything from icons to boot screen resemble Vista.
http://www.jcxp.net/vtp/

What I am am after however is basically the normal XP with just the taskbar and start menu changed. Googling Royal noir gets you a Micorsoft theme that is slightly black but not totally black. I also don't like them to be too glass looking. It's over used.

Kryogenik, it would be great to see your theme, thanks.

I got a really nice black theme I used to use but it needs a flavour of windowblinds. TBH when I had xp and run that it didnt use a gnats worth of resources

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/at...443986-new.jpg this is the taskbar on said theme

Halcyon · 10-05-2008, 11:05

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.