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

OS Theme independent application ?

9 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/os-theme-independent-application.77931/

ruturaj3
ruturaj3 Original post #1
Jan 10, 2008 at 7:34 PM
I am doing my final year project.
I have started designing my User Interface.

Can i develped UI that will hv same Look & Feel on all windows OS.

Like Vista's look on xp or win 2000.

i am using Visual studio 2005.

Regards,
RUTURAJ
infra_red_dude
Jan 10, 2008 at 7:57 PM
1) You can haf vista's look for XP.

2) However, I don't think its possible to haf vista/xp look on Windows versions which use Windows Classic interface. At the max. you can change colours.

Ok, if you are talking about UI for your program and NOT overall Windows UI then most prolly yes you can.
RCuber
RCuber #3
Jan 10, 2008 at 8:12 PM
yes its possible, I had done this in my final year project using VS 2003 .
Take a look at the screen shot here
Faun
Faun #4
Jan 10, 2008 at 8:33 PM
1) You can haf vista's look for XP.

2) However, I don't think its possible to haf vista/xp look on Windows versions which use Windows Classic interface. At the max. you can change colours.

Ok, if you are talking about UI for your program and NOT overall Windows UI then most prolly yes you can.
not sure, may be the look will not work in classic style and older window version(2000, 98).
ruturaj3
Jan 10, 2008 at 8:34 PM
ya i am looking for that only.

How can i do this ?

I hv also added glass button and cue text box on my form.

How can i change the icon of Close button ?

Any one know how to create Split button ?
same as that of View button in Vista...
A split button with slider.
infra_red_dude
Jan 10, 2008 at 8:35 PM
@Charan
Inspired by Outlook 2003, eh? ;)
a_tif
a_tif #7
Jan 10, 2008 at 9:06 PM
yes its possible, I had done this in my final year project using VS 2003 .
Take a look at the screen shot here

Thats an MDI application right?
RCuber
RCuber #8
Jan 11, 2008 at 12:05 AM
How can i change the icon of Close button ?
The simplest way to do this is to create a custom control, add three buttons , set style to flat, create three images which match your theme for maximize, minimize and close buttons , and write the events for maximize, minimize and close, then set the form border to none and add the control which you just created.

By creating custom controls you will not have to wire/design the buttons for each and every form.

Any one know how to create Split button ?
same as that of View button in Vista...
A split button with slider.
Its not a Split button but a combo box with style set to list view.you can do it if you can manage to get image on the comob box. adding a slider will take a bit of coding.

From PM:
Have u tested ur app in windows classic theme.
Yes I have tested it in classic theme too.

@ANi : Yes tips taken from MS Win App design guidlines :D

@a_tif: yes its a MDI App with 20+ forms.
ruturaj3
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:05 AM
thanks

I will try :)