Customize the look of Windows 7

Recently, I began to notice that most of the users of the "seven" use the standard theme, which the developers affectionately called Aero.

In my opinion, it is too focused on tablets. We are told about this by the huge window control buttons and the excessively wide headers and borders of the windows - all this gives the interface some cumbersomeness. In addition, the developers have gone too far with the variety of colors: all these transparencies, transfusions, gradients and other delights create a peculiar effect of dirt.

Perhaps, someone likes it so much, it makes no difference to someone, someone is used to it, but someone simply does not know that all this can be changed.
')

Visual styles

Visual styles include all the graphics for windows, controls, backgrounds, and font settings. The list does not include, perhaps, only the “Start” button, the “Forward” and “Back” navigation buttons, as well as the icons.

Themes

A bunch of topics can be found on DeviantArt 'e.

Themes are simply some kind of description file of what should be used. This includes the visual style itself, some icons, screensavers, wallpapers, cursors and some other elements.

It is worth mentioning that sometimes themes can be focused on different settings of the Taskbar. For example, for a large taskbar on the right and for a small top, different topics can be targeted. Usually, developers add an appropriate prefix to them, such as “Top” or “Left”.

Installation themes

All topics are stored along the path% SystemRoot% \ Resources \ Themes \. After which they can be selected in the "Personalization" window.

But not everything is so simple. Initially, it is forbidden to install topics not signed by Microsoft itself. To get around this limitation, you need to patch three dlls. To do this, there is a simple open-source program called Universal Theme Patcher for Windows ( Of. Site , download , mirror ).
Disable UAC, run as administrator, and click on the three Patch buttons. This operation is absolutely safe, in addition, the program automatically makes a backup so that you can, in which case, be able to restore the original files. For 64bit it is recommended to patch both versions, since the system contains both 32 and 64 bit dlls at the same time.
After that, restart the computer.

Now it remains to move the necessary topics to% SystemRoot% \ Resources \ Themes \ and select them in "Personalization". Having done this, you will see that the design of the windows has changed, but the “Start” and navigation buttons remain. The thing is that they are tightly "sewn up" in the system files. Therefore, most of the themes now come with already modified files that need to be simply replaced.

System File Replacements

Here, too, we buried a dog. To replace the system files with your modified versions, we need to get the status of the owner of these files. To do this, we will use the TakeControl utility ( download , mirror ). Run as administrator and add the following files to the list:

• C: \ Windows \ exlporer.exe
• C: \ Windows \ System32 \ ExplorerFrame.dll
• C: \ Windows \ System32 \ shell32.dll
• C: \ Windows \ System32 \ timedate.cpl

Lazy people can just import list.fls, lying next to the program :)
Then click on “Take control” and wait for the end of the process. Reboot is not necessary.

Now we just have to replace the original files with those in the subject. To do this, add the _old prefix to the source files, then move the patched file to the old one. You can do it easier and use Theme Manager, the link to which is just below. He will do everything himself.

ATTENTION :

1. Theme developers usually make two versions of system files: for x86 and for 64 separately.
2. Do not be lazy to check file versions! If they do not converge, then most likely you will have to do a restore via live-cd or "System Restore"
3. After replacing the shell32.dll you may fall off multi-channel sound.

Reboot and see the updated look.

Additional setting

Sometimes it happens that the authors push some non-Cyrillic fonts into the subject, make them boldly italic , or just the size is too small. This is where the Color and View Settings come to the rescue. They can change the colors used, fonts and sizes for each individual type of elements. By the way, this also includes frames and headings, that is, you can change their size, though artifacts appear on a standard topic in some places.

Icons

You probably noticed the not quite standard icons in my taskbar. This can be done in two ways: manually create a bunch of shortcuts, change the icons in them and shove them into the socket, or use the 7conifier utility ( download , mirror ).

It automatically replaces the icons of the necessary applications based on the rules described in package.xml. It's all quite simple, so it makes no sense to explain on the fingers.

And on the same deviarte there are ready-made packs, almost completely replacing the system icons. One of the most popular is the Faenza IconPack , which is so hated on the ENT.

Simplify your life

Below is a brief overview of some useful programs that can help you to configure.

Theme Manager (Off site, download , mirror )

Allows you to set themes literally with one click. You just have to specify the necessary files and install the theme, specify the name and apply. A feature of the program is that you can save themes with all resources in zip-containers. Moreover, this feature is as if hidden from the eyes - it can only be called up using the hot keys Ctrl + E and Ctrl + I.

Logon Screen Changer ( download , mirror )

And with the help of this soft, you can change the background of the welcome screen, as well as change some other parameters.

Navigation Panel Customizer ( Off. Site , download , mirror )

This is an easy way to remove unnecessary items from the left Explorer menu.

Taskbar Item Pinner ( Off. Site , download , mirror )

And with this thing you can attach absolutely any element to the Taskbar, be it a folder, a file, or even a separator.

AltTabTuner ( download , mirror )

Allows you to fine-tune the menu by Alt + Tab - indents, sizes, transparency. You can even return old school XP'shny style.

Taskbar Thumbmail Customizer ( Of. Site , download , mirror )

Customizer popup previews.

Start \ Navi Buttons Changer ( Of. Site , download , mirror )

Allows you to change the appearance of the Start button and navigation buttons. Applies changes to already existing system files. Finished buttons can be found on the same deviant.

Notes

Screenshots theme - Snoheso with changed font settings.
I 'd recommend trying APPOWS and Gaia09 .
Wallpaper ( download , mirror ).
JetScreenshot servers were crashed as intended.
Well, as usual, there must be something about the markers, their taste and color :)