free xp skinz?

from WinCustomize Forums
is there a free way to change my windows xp skin?

i have the default options of blue, olive, and silver that ship with the OS but is there a way to add more without installing windowbinds, desktopx or some 3rd party software?

or maybe a good explaination of how to hack one of the xp default skins?

(this is a very cool site by the way, i just found it)
2,495 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, I don't think there is. Windowblinds is your best option I think!
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Go Windowblinds.
It is the most flexible and best supported.
StyleXP (which is not free either) skins everything but WB lets you select what you want skinned, and if you subscribe to WC you will be able to actually download themes!

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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WindowBlinds is better, but if you are determined to get free themes, go to http://www.themexp.org/ - the hack to enable it is at http://www.tgtsoft.com/download.asp (you don't need styleXP, just the uxtheme util at the bottom)
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
cool i'll try the uxtheme util first. is there a windowBilnds trial as well?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Listen to GreenReaper. And BTW, all the XP skins you'll find here only work with Windowblinds.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
the uxtheme util didn't work (something about how i have the wrong version of xp). i still think customizing the apearance of windows should be free but i will at least give windowBlinds a try. i hope there is a free trial period.

thanks for the candid advice
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You probably have got the service pack! It doesn't work with it, I don't think. Try WB.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
here is the free uxtheme.dll patcher for Windows XP Service Pack One: http://www.xp-erience.org/comments.php?id=327&catid=2
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
dagrom, a couple of things...
First, the reason why you need a patch to apply a different theme is that Microsoft doesn't want you to use third party skins. That's why they included a protection feature in XP where you can only install new themes that are digitally signed by Microsoft. The uxtheme.dll patcher you installed disables that protection feature.

Second, Windowblinds existed before XP. It skins the GUI of all versions of Windows. Windowblinds has been around long enough the really master the way Windows should be skinned. And therefore, you'll find Windowblinds much more efficient, faster and more flexible. It's well worth the $20. You could in a way, say that the default XP skinning engine is a "light" or limited version of Windowblinds.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yeah, i installed WB and got a couple of cool new xp skins. very nice. so when am i going to have to register it? i don't get nag screens or anything it just worked right off of cnet downloads. so far it has been so simple with one click downloads off winCustomize i will have to try and find the $20 from somewhere.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
30 day time-out I think .... been so long I can't remember.
Should be in the documentation.

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Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
At 30 days you lose some features of the trial and I think it nags more.