Themes/skins

JAMES VTI S

where can i get themes/skins for windows xp and for itunes ?:)

Torqay

JAMES VTI S wrote: »

where can i get themes/skins for windows xp

Install the UXTheme Patcher and choose from a gazillion themes out there, Google is good place to start.

JAMES VTI S

are these thing safe

yoyo

JAMES VTI S wrote: »

are these thing safe

I'd reccomend against it, can screw up some application GUIs, prevent stuff running and cause issues generally. It's usually safe enough, but poorly written themes may screw everything up. Most UI themes wont touch skinned applications like itunes, just the Windows enviornment generally (menus, pointers, taskbar etc.)

Nick

Torqay

Pretty much so.

Third-party themes can only be used if the file uxtheme.dll is patched to allow unsigned themes.

Meaning, if you do not patch uxtheme.dll, you're very limited in your choice, other than Windows Classic and the 3 variants of Luna, you can only install 3 other themes:

Royale Blue aka Media Center (the inofficial Noir version may work without patch too)



Zune



and Windows Embedded

Torqay

yoyo wrote: »

I'd reccomend against it, can screw up some application GUIs, prevent stuff running and cause issues generally. It's usually safe enough, but poorly written themes may screw everything up. Most UI themes wont touch skinned applications like itunes, just the Windows enviornment generally (menus, pointers, taskbar etc.)

Nick

Ah now...

Patching the file is not sanctioned by Microsoft. Despite this, Microsoft is aware of such a practice and even suggests obtaining a newer revision of the patched uxtheme.dll file in case problems occur after Microsoft's own updates to the file have been applied (typically through an OS service pack).

It's not unsafe to patch uxtheme.dll

yoyo

Torqay wrote: »

Ah now...



It's not unsafe to patch uxtheme.dll

Hence I stated it's usually safe enough, but a poorly written theme will cause some problems with various app guis that use Windows theme elements and can cause issues running certain applications, I'm sure you'd be in agreement here . I also don't think any styling program will touch a pre-skinned application like itunes? Maybe Windows Blinds does though I'm not sure

Nick

JAMES VTI S

will leave alone so thanks dudes

Torqay

Some skinned programs can be overridden, others not.

And yes, some skins are poorly written indeed but most websites offering themes have rating system which is a pretty good indicator as to which themes are better be avoided.

Personally, I don't like the bulky bar with the user name and avatar which is present in all official themes, I'm using a customized version of the Islander VS theme with Windows 2003, the window title bar is also very slim and unobtrusive. Can't remember the name of the icon set though.