How to use a Windows Visual Style?

Question

I just got a windows visual style, but I haven't a hint on how to use it.

I need a free program that lets me add the theme on, or just add the theme on without a program. I already used the themexp trial up. Anyone please help...?

hmmm... Oh crud. I think a 12 year old knows this... Yes, I'm 12 and I handle computers. Makes some sense. But where is that file you told me to move? Can you tell me where to access it? (Like C drive>Windows>Resources) That kinda stuff. I'ma try this.

Arg. I have to do the top one. But I think the file you told me to download is a corrupted file. It's some DDR Visual Style I downloaded from plasmadance.com. That site doesn't exist anymore, so don't try testing it out. Thw file also has the shellstyle.dll files also. What do I do with those?

Answer 1

To use some visual styles, you need to replace uxtheme.dll, if themexp didn't replace it already. You can get it here:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Themes/UXTheme-Patch-For-Windows-XP-SP2-Final.shtml

Be sure to follow all instructions VERY carefully or it will overwrite the new uxtheme.dll. Make sure to move all uxtheme.dll and all uxtheme.dl_ Then put the new one in place and restart the computer, canceling any prompts to insert the CD. There are also autopatchers that will do the job for you.

Once you have done that, put the visual style in the c:\windows\resources\themes\ directory.

If the visual style has a .theme file, it must be in the themes\ directory with the folder named the same name. If there is a .msstyles file, it must be in the directory with the same name as the directory. So it would go like this:

c:\windows\resources\themes\
c:\windows\resources\themes\Theme File.theme
c:\windows\resources\themes\Theme File\
c:\windows\resources\themes\Theme File\Theme File.msstyles

If that makes sense. Then select the theme or style from the display option in the control panel.