themeing in xp

[dirtwarrior]

Which files are needed in xp for themes? MSSTYLE?

[Island Dog]

To use themes in XP you need to hack a system file to use .msstyles, or use an application like WindowBlinds which gives you features you won't find in normal XP visual styles.

[leadboots5]

you need to patch your uxtheme

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enh...tiPatcher.shtml

[spacesurfer]

You need to replace your orignal uxtheme.dll with a patched one. This has to be done is a PE environment (WinPE or BartPE). I'm not sure if it can be done is safe mode. file found in c:\windows\system32.

MSFN unattended section also has the file for download (last time i checked - 1 year ago).

[PC_LOAD_LETTER]

you can patch UXtheme without the need for aPE enviroment or safe mode (hell if you try hard enough i think you can do it without rebooting)

easy way is to use a patcher like this one:

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=140707 (i think its the same thing leadboots linked)

XPize can do it for you too

You can also download the dll and swap it manually (there is a trick to it)