DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

help install XP themes with *.msstyles filenames in playware

31 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/help-install-xp-themes-with-msstyles-filenames-in-playware.488/

adithyagenius
adithyagenius Original post #1
Aug 9, 2004 at 3:58 PM
The Playware CD of july 2004 issue contained themes with shell changes and contained the file *.msstyles and shellstyel.dll files. How do I apply them. When started msstyle the display props window opened. But the themes I copied were no included in the list. How do I install them. I have XP pro. :?:
M
Aug 9, 2004 at 4:13 PM
you can use styleXP to add those themes
S
Aug 9, 2004 at 6:55 PM
You can use styleXP but it can be a bit of a strain on your PC (especially the gfx card).

Better, you can patch the uxtheme.dll file using a multipatcher (www.windowsx.org). Download this file, extract it and run it in SAFE Mode. It will patch the uxtheme.dll file.

your themes should now be visible in the themes dropdown.
And oh, its not at all resource hungry.
B
Aug 9, 2004 at 9:00 PM
Style XP is not resource hungry at all !
sreevirus
Aug 9, 2004 at 10:00 PM
have a look at this pic:
*img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/sreevirus/taskmgr.jpg

now what do u say?? does style xp look like a resource hog?? and i havent even got a graphix card....its onboard graphix for me.
N
Nemesis #6
Aug 9, 2004 at 10:32 PM
style xp aint a resource hog and is probably better than patchin ur comp as patchin will replace some of ur dlls.
B
Aug 9, 2004 at 11:30 PM
Thanks for putting up the evidence sree......
adithyagenius
Aug 10, 2004 at 12:00 AM
Thanks. I'll check out styleXP
G
Aug 10, 2004 at 8:54 PM
style xp used to use around 3000K - 4000K of my sys mem.... that`s why i uninstalled it... how come only 504k mem usage on your pc sreevirus??
I
ice #10
Aug 10, 2004 at 11:30 PM
Just patch the UXteme.dll and be done with it.
adithyagenius
Aug 10, 2004 at 11:57 PM
StyleXP wasn't good at all. The themes looked good on the digit CD interface. But when I applied it with styleXP it wasn't convenient. Try reading black font characters with dark blue background. The original XP theme is the best.
it_waaznt_me
Aug 11, 2004 at 5:01 PM
Copy those files in C:/Windows/Resources/Themes Folder ..
And Patch your UxTheme.dll (In Safe mode) ..
You will have them in the Themes list after that....
sreevirus
sreevirus #13
Aug 11, 2004 at 5:20 PM
download the uxtheme patcher from this site: *www.softpedia.com/public/cat/13/9/13-9-100.shtml (latest neowin version 2.0)
(make a backup of uxtheme.dll, just in case)
run the patcher in safe-mode

copy the themes and .msstyles files to this folder: \Windows\Resources\Themes

install style xp (dload the latest version(2.13) with support for sp2 final) *www.tgtsoft.com/download.php
since u may not want style xp to eat ur resources, select "Enable Style XP" and "Run Service Only" in the options tab.

apply the theme of ur choice and enjoy!!!
S
Aug 11, 2004 at 7:04 PM
godzi_85 said:
style xp used to use around 3000K - 4000K of my sys mem.... that`s why i uninstalled it... how come only 504k mem usage on your pc sreevirus??

Told ya. This is the reason I suggested patching the uxtheme.dll file.

adithyagenius said:
StyleXP wasn't good at all. The themes looked good on the digit CD interface. But when I applied it with styleXP it wasn't convenient. Try reading black font characters with dark blue background. The original XP theme is the best.

This happened to me too. So uninstalled it and patched the uxtheme.dll file and it was done. all Digit themes are now perfectly visible in the Themes dropdown.

But StyleXP is a good tool. Just select the proper themes. I have StyleXP running on my other system. Also use it to change boot screens.
NikhilVerma
Aug 11, 2004 at 8:21 PM
I like Style Xp although i use uxtheme.dll patch now...
techno_funky
Aug 11, 2004 at 11:30 PM
well looks like some problem
mine is eating more mem that JAK's

*img8.exs.cx/img8/9426/tskman.jpg
EinSTeiN
EinSTeiN #17
Aug 12, 2004 at 8:02 AM
stylexp is not at all resourse hungry, CLICK use no resources in the main window of style xp. Using style xp is better than changing ur dll's.
NikhilVerma
Aug 12, 2004 at 8:37 AM
i say why use style xp when u can use uxtheme.dll patch and get
0KB resourses eaten
B
Aug 12, 2004 at 12:58 PM
Mine is using 412k right now ........
EinSTeiN
EinSTeiN #20
Aug 12, 2004 at 11:11 PM
sreevirus said:
download the uxtheme patcher from this site: *www.softpedia.com/public/cat/13/9/13-9-100.shtml (latest neowin version 2.0)
(make a backup of uxtheme.dll, just in case)
run the patcher in safe-mode

That link no longer works.
Ive uploaded a new and workin verion in my websit
get it at *www.freepgs.com/tejaspratap/theme.zip

AND i now agree that patching uxtheme.dll is better than using stylexp :lol:
adithyagenius
Aug 13, 2004 at 12:05 AM
EinSTeiN said:
stylexp is not at all resourse hungry, CLICK use no resources in the main window of style xp. Using style xp is better than changing ur dll's.

Well even after doing that it uses the resourses as shown in techno_funkyf's pic
Maverick340
Oct 6, 2005 at 5:00 PM
i cant seem to replace my uxtheme.dll
says it being used by another app
T
theraven #23
Oct 6, 2005 at 6:05 PM
u cant just replace it when ur windows is runnin
just download the neowin uxtheme patcher
run it .. patch it .. then it'll ask for restart
and ur done

tryin to replace the file manually will be a pain !! so just take the easy way out
C
cybermanas #24
Oct 6, 2005 at 6:58 PM
use tuneup utilities 2004
T
theraven #25
Oct 6, 2005 at 7:24 PM
i didnt know tuneup utils can patch uxtheme
can it ?
C
cybermanas #26
Oct 6, 2005 at 8:07 PM
it doesn't patch.use it's winstyler program to use the themes
C
cybermanas #27
Oct 6, 2005 at 8:10 PM
theraven said:
u cant just replace it when ur windows is runnin
just download the neowin uxtheme patcher
run it .. patch it .. then it'll ask for restart
and ur done

tryin to replace the file manually will be a pain !! so just take the easy way out

you can replace the uxtheme.dll file with a dos tool such as replacer even while windows is running.
Maverick340
Oct 6, 2005 at 10:23 PM
Guys none of the above has worked for me!NONE@!!
T
theraven #29
Oct 6, 2005 at 10:25 PM
yes .. i didnt say it was impossible
i said its a tougher way of doing it !
Vishal Gupta
Oct 6, 2005 at 10:43 PM
Why not u boot into DOS mode using windows 98 setup CD or bootable floppy.
And then u can replace the original one with the hacked uxtheme.dll