Style Xp Vs Windowblinds

[Alpha_Caesar]

I've have been using Style XP for quite sometime now and it really is a superb program. A while back I heard of WindowBlinds and didn't hear much good things about. I always wondered what the difference between the was and how much difference are their skins...

Which of these do you use and what makes it a great program to you.

[3rd gen noob]

this has been done quite a few times before if you search for it
i believe stylexp always comes out on top...

[asmithz]

There basicaly the same, but style xp uses more ressources. I use aston use almost none, and you can completly change the gui of windows.

[Alpha_Caesar]

I heard that WindowBlinds was the one that took up more resources.

[Rip The Jacker]

Windows 2000 users have to use Windows Blinds huh? Will StyleXP work for Win2000?

[sparsely]

I wouldn't waste my time with either one. just get the uxtheme.dll patch.
There's also Aston, but I haven't really played with it much...but it's VERY customizable.

[asmithz]

Yeah aston a 10. I love it.

[{I}{K}{E}]

uxtheme.dll patch is the best ;)

[Skank]

Originally posted by Shad0w Hacker@14 September 2003 - 20:00
There basicaly the same, but style xp uses more ressources. I use aston use almost none, and you can completly change the gui of windows.
if i bring up my task manager and look at how much memory style XP is using ...it shows 574k...lol...ive never seen it any higher

so i dont know where u got ya info that stylexp uses too much resources from but it obviously wasnt from personal experience

in the options menu theres a box that says "use no resources"...tick it...

[liquidacid]

Originally posted by {I}{K}{E}@ 14 September 2003 - 10:11
uxtheme.dll patch is the best

I agree. If you don't know about the uxtheme patch, it allows you to select different themes and visual styles through display properties. There is no point installing an application to do a job that windows own skinning engine can do.


Lightstars uxtheme patch (http://www.lightstar1.com/install.htm). Make sure and uninstall style xp first, and follow all instructions when installing the patch.

[freak]

uxtheme.dll what exactly is it? Well I understand what it is but how do you get themes for it do u need a certian type or what????

[liquidacid]

Originally posted by freak@14 September 2003 - 14:46
uxtheme.dll what exactly is it? Well I understand what it is but how do you get themes for it do u need a certian type or what???? Having installed the patch you copy or install your themes and visual styles to windows/resources/themes. Having done that, you right click on your desktop, select properties then themes or appearance.

The best site is themexp.org (http://www.themexp.org).

[Alpha_Caesar]

Interesting....and where can I find info on aston?

[freak]

to download aston go to www.astonshell.com thanx for the info acid i might have to try that

[Izagaia]

I purchased StyleXP a couple of years ago when it was first released. Long before it ever started being distributed through P2P. There is no point in me using the UXtheme.dll patch to modify my system. And yet, just for yucks and giggles, I downloaded WB v4.0 and a keygen. After playing with it for a few days, I came to my own conclusions of the software being total crap.

WB themes (WB fanboys call them "skins") have "cartoon-like" looks about them. They tend to lose the inherent 3D effects that was built around the windows XP trademark. IMO, XP's .msstyles themes have a more natural, realistic feel to them. I compared Lightstar's "StrangeWorld" theme to a port of the same done for WindowBlinds. The 3D effects and visuals seemed blurred and grainy. Many other .wba themes also seem to suffer from this. Not to say that there is nothing great-looking out there for WB, however everytime I found a nice .wba theme and installed it, I found that it was not complete. Several control panel screens and other features remained in the Luna default color scheme. You can never really tell whether or not that you are downloading a theme designed for XP or for another operating system. Also, unless you have other Stardock applications installed that allow this, you have to apply each component of a theme seperately. You have to apply the skin, then a paper, icons, cursors, etc... You do not have to worry about this when using XP's ability to save your own theme configurations or when using StyleXP. Also, any system changes you make that tie-in to the GUI such as modifing explorer, and WB will not recognize it to skin at all.

The only real plus is that Stardock claims this new version 4 uses even less resources than StyleXP. However StyleXP itself does not really consume much to begin with- so who the hell cares? Man, I am glad that I did not buy this dogshit.

My opinion: either use StyleXP or the theme patch (of which is freeware developed by TGT Soft) . Install the patch yourself manually. Using the auto-patcher can sometimes produce errors and is not entirely stable on your XP system. Leave WB for non-XP systems. They deserve each other.

[liquidacid]

Nice writing Izagaia. One thing i'd like to add though. The patch is indeed available from TGT Soft, however the installation instructions are very confusing, to the point of being comical.


Originally posted by TGTSofts UXTheme Read me
Ready?  Here are the instructions.

1) Run the uxthemepatcher.exe.  This program will produce a "uxtheme.pat"
  file in your system32 directory.  If this program fails, DO NOT
  CONTINUE.

2) After you have successfully run uxthemepatcher.exe, a message box
  will tell you where the uxtheme.pat file is.  If your system directory
  is c:\windows\system32 -- the uxtheme.pat file will be there.  If it is
  c:\winnt\system32 -- the uxtheme.pat file will be there.  And so on.
  Make a mental note of where the .pat file is.

3) Assuming your system directory is c:\windows\system32 go into the
  directory c:\windows\system32\dllcache.  This directory may be hidden.
  If it is, you need to unhide it to see it, or use the command prompt.

4) Rename the uxtheme.dll file in dllcache to uxtheme.bak (or some other
  name).

5) Rename any uxtheme.dl_ or uxtheme.dll that might be found in other
  locations on your system such as c:\i386 or the place where you
  installed Windows® XP from. 

6) Make sure you have NO CDs in your system (especially the Windows® XP
  install CD!).

7) Assuming your system directory is c:\windows\system32 go into the
  directory c:\windows\system32.  Rename uxtheme.dll to uxtheme.bak or
  some other name.  Copy uxtheme.pat to uxtheme.dll.

8) You might get a warning from Windows System File Protection.  You need
  to answer the two questions properly, and on your own volition to
  ensure that the uxtheme.dll file is not replaced with the original.

9) If all goes well, the uxtheme.dll will be the same DATE and TIME as
  the uxtheme.pat.  If this is the case, REBOOT.  Do not logoff, you need
  a full reboot.

Hope this works.  If it does not, you can always try the Style XP trial
for 30 days.
Understand that? I think that TGTSoft have made this deliberately confusing to deter people from using it. I advise using this patch (http://www.neowin.net/comments.php?id=12930&category=main&highlight=) available from Neowin; the installer works just fine. Talking of Neowin, check out their official theme here. (http://www.themexp.org/view_info.php?id=26955) It's sweet as a nut. Cheers. ;)

[six]

I prefer using the default Silver theme with minimal visual effects(classic start menu, no fades, no scrolls, no shadows etc.) B)

[freak]

I tryed that one patch posted earlier I can't seem to get it to work! And when I try to download Neowin UXTheme Multi Patcher v1.01 for the other link posted it says i don't have permission.... So how do i get this other patch?

Edit: Never mind i tracked the file down :lol: Now just got to see if it works

[liquidacid]

Let me know what you think, :) you freak.