Where can I get a regular theme?

from WinCustomize Forums
After two days of searching the internet for Windows XP themes, I have been led in circles, directed to download programs that will do dubious things to my system before expiring in 30 days unless I want to buy the full program, and basically frustrated at every turn to find a way to make my desktop look different than the standard Olive Green, Blue, or Silver.

Everything I have found is geared for something called windows blinds, or desktopX, or other names I can't recall off-hand. All I'm looking for is a way to change the color of things like the taskbar, toolbars, and navigation bar of my desktop and applications, without having to learn a new profession. I don't want fancy objects that I see in these previews (I can't even tell what they are other than some strange boxes placed dead center of the screen). I just want some different colors to choose from.

My question is, where can I get the simple, "I don't need to download some kind of theme manager that will expire in 30 days and who knows if I'll get to keep the theme or not when it does?", themes? Or do they even exist? I hope that there is something available for the old, not so "with-it" windows xp desktops out there, and if not, then perhaps someone remembers how they changed the look of windows xp BEFORE people joined the "theme manager programs zomg!" craze?

Thanks :)
1,910 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
zamah right click on the desktop and then click Propreties. That takes you to display propreties. It's been so long since I used that, but you should be able to change colors there and basic stuff to the XP theme.

Any themes you find here will require you to download a program to run them. You could start with WindowBlinds. But it sounds like you don't really want to do that.

If you would like some more information come on back an post a reply. The community here would be more than happy to answer your questions.  ;) 
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The 30 day Trial version is for people just like you, wondering if it is worth it. You can download the Trial of WindowBlinds and check it out for free. If you don't like it, simply uninstall it. End of story.
Ahh, but you will like it, and purchase the full version for a mere pittance.
Object Desktop - Get all of our enhancement utilities in one suite
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks philly, I knew about that, but it doesn't give me the ability to change the certain aspects I listed. Through Properties, I can change the desktop color, application title bars, application borders, application backgrounds, but I am still unable to change the color of the tool bars, navigation bars, or the task bar unless I choose one of the default themes. So I end up with pretty borders and title bars that surround Olive Green, Blue, or Silver XP colors. :-/

Once upon a time, you COULD download and install XP themes without any troubles or having to dl and install a theme manager/creator package. I remember doing it, I had some once before on another machine. I'm going to hazard a guess that with the arrival of Vista, that the XP theme sites that offered those have gone the way of the dinosaur. This is why I'd like to find the "old schoolers" and see how they changed the look of XP prior to Windows Blinds et al.


The 30 day Trial version is for people just like you, wondering if it is worth it. You can download the Trial of WindowBlinds and check it out for free. If you don't like it, simply uninstall it. End of story.Ahh, but you will like it, and purchase the full version for a mere pittance.
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I'm sure I would highlander, the trouble is, when I'm scrounging between the couch cushions for quarters to use for the laundry mat and borrowing money for gas to get to work, I'm not going to be spending money to give myself the ability to change the color of my pixels any time soon!

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WWW Link

WWW Link

However, when you can afford it, I'd recommend spending a few bucks on WB.  ;) 
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
zamah, if you're looking for basic Windows XP Themes that's actually built by Microsoft, may I suggest Microsoft Plus.

It comes with four fully loaded one click no hassle themes, Aquarium, Space, DaVinci and Nature. And it's not hacking nor a bunch of programs you need to install.

You'll get really nice, crisp and richly colored integrated wallpaper, taskbar and start menu color and matching media player.

I think it costs about $15 bucks US.

 ;) 
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Unfortunately Plus! support has been discontinued with the release of Vista. No, I'm afraid I'm simply left with trying to find the few remaining "old" themes for XP that haven't been removed from the internet. So far I've found a few referenced by name by browsing for Firefox skins, and I've been able to google for those and find them on the creator's personal pages.

Well thanks for your suggestions all, I fear I'm stuck with Microsoft Blue for awhile longer.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
when you can afford it, I'd recommend spending a few bucks on WB.
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I fully agree. Meantime... WWW Link
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ack...themexp...isn't that the site that's full of malware?
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ack...themexp...isn't that the site that's full of malware?
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Oops! If it is, then shouldn't we remove the link? Sorry.  :NOTSURE: 
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I fear I'm stuck with Microsoft Blue for awhile longer.
End of quote


Why? the links I gave you are free and work. :NOTSURE: 

The patch and Visual styles.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Maybe you should give 3DCC a try.

Note: Quoted from 3DCC Web Page.

"A tool for "solid color" UI freaks

If you are the one who doesn't necessary like the default 3D look and color schemes that Windows provides, 3D Color Changer 4 is the thing you should try. Even though it looks almost the same as the regular Display-Appearance Control Panel applet, it gives you much more control over your Windows' look. With 3D Color Changer 4 you gain access to User Interface aspects that Microsoft restricted: 3D Frames' colors, Mouse hot-tracking color and more. Complete with scheme storage features, 3D Color Changer 4 becomes the ultimate UI color tool for Windows.

and Windows XP?

WindowsXP introduced completely new UI, called Visual Styles. Whether they look cool or not, they are not very customizable. Many former Windows98/ME/2000 users tend to switch back to the old good Classic Style (ie. the UI found in previous versions of Windows), but then again, customizing it is a bit harder than in Windows98/ME/2000, and it still won't let you customize 3D Frames' colors and so on. So, if you are a "solid-color freak" (ie. you don't like Visual Styles) 3D Color Changer 4 is a tool for you!"

I used it years ago till I discovered eFX and later Window Blinds



3DCC version 4

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I understand your money problem. If I were you I'd take vStylers advice. :)
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
MS made a theme called zune,it's pretty good apart from the wallpaper which you can change to whatever you want after installing,when you find something better you can delete it,if link don't work just search

WWW Link

ps: objectdesktop..nough said..