August 27, 201510 yr I recently discovered the availability of the Windows 7 "Task Pane Changer" and was wondering if that could be used to apply the Windows 7 preview task pane to a standard retail copy of Windows 7 as pictured below: If it does work, how would one go about changing the text to white? Also, is it possible to do the same thing in Windows 8? Edited August 27, 201510 yr by Channel 2012
August 27, 201510 yr There are two .bmp images for that.You'll need Restorator(paid) or Resource Hacker (free) to modify shell32.dll in C:\Windows\System32. In Bitmap section images #632 and #633.
August 28, 201510 yr just be carefull on dimensions 1st one is transparent bmp (overlay) which doesn't fit to 2nd one which you want to replace
September 19, 201510 yr Author There are two .bmp images for that.You'll need Restorator(paid) or Resource Hacker (free) to modify shell32.dll in C:\Windows\System32. In Bitmap section images #632 and #633. I see. Can that change the text color from dark blue to white as well? just be carefull on dimensions 1st one is transparent bmp (overlay) which doesn't fit to 2nd one which you want to replace How does that work?
September 19, 201510 yr There are two .bmp images for that.You'll need Restorator(paid) or Resource Hacker (free) to modify shell32.dll in C:\Windows\System32. In Bitmap section images #632 and #633. I see. Can that change the text color from dark blue to white as well? No, text color for that links is in .msstyle file. You'll need program called Windows Style Builder to change text color.
September 20, 201510 yr Author There are two .bmp images for that.You'll need Restorator(paid) or Resource Hacker (free) to modify shell32.dll in C:\Windows\System32. In Bitmap section images #632 and #633. I see. Can that change the text color from dark blue to white as well? No, text color for that links is in .msstyle file. You'll need program called Windows Style Builder to change text color. So if my current custom theme already has an .msstyle, I'll have to edit the existing file?
September 20, 201510 yr So if my current custom theme already has an .msstyle, I'll have to edit the existing file? Yes.
October 16, 201510 yr Author So if my current custom theme already has an .msstyle, I'll have to edit the existing file? Yes. Great, thanks; I think I can handle that. Do you know of any place where I can find the image file for the task pane background or am I going to have to extract it from a Windows 7 beta installation? Could I just collect a copy of shell32 from the beta or might that produce unwanted consequences?
October 16, 201510 yr Great, thanks; I think I can handle that. Do you know of any place where I can find the image file for the task pane background or am I going to have to extract it from a Windows 7 beta installation? Could I just collect a copy of shell32 from the beta or might that produce unwanted consequences? Just extract bitmaps #632 and #633 from beta shell32 and replace same number images in your shell32. Or... Google it for "Theme Resource Changer" program, install it.(if you can't find it i will gladly send it to you)In your customised theme folder make new one and name it "Shell32.dll", place extracted images from shell32.dll to that folder and you are good to go.You can if you want download my theme from DeviantArt to see how folders should look like.http://351837.deviantart.com/art/Metallised-390028188 Edited October 16, 201510 yr by 351837
August 2, 20179 yr Author Quote No, text color for that links is in .msstyle file. You'll need program called Windows Style Builder to change text color. Can you point me to where exactly the setting in Style Builder is to change the text color? Quote There are two .bmp images for that. You'll need Restorator(paid) or Resource Hacker (free) to modify shell32.dll in C:\Windows\System32. In Bitmap section images #632 and #633. That makes sense. I have one question though - there are a couple of Windows 8.1 themes that I've been playing around with in a virtual machine that seem to be able to change the task pane visuals without requiring the modification of shell32.dll. How is this possible?
August 2, 20179 yr 44 minutes ago, Channel 2012 said: there are a couple of Windows 8.1 themes that I've been playing around with in a virtual machine that seem to be able to change the task pane visuals without requiring the modification of shell32.dll. How is this possible? It's possible with OldNewExplorer on 8.x and 10, it allows you to place all bitmap you want to change in your shellstyle.dll. Unfortunately, it's not for Windows 7. Edited August 2, 20179 yr by MTDirector
August 2, 20179 yr Author 2 hours ago, MTDirector said: It's possible with OldNewExplorer on 8.x and 10, it allows you to place all bitmap you want to change in your shellstyle.dll. Unfortunately, it's not for Windows 7. Interesting. I've actually got a Windows 8 computer also that already has OldNewExplorer installed, so if you could tell me the procedure for that, it would still be much appreciated.
March 29, 20242 yr Author Just to close the loop on this, I was able to figure it out, at least for Windows 7. The short answer is that the actual image(s) can be changed using a tool such as "CustomizerGod," which, along with the Windows 7 prerelease task pane background, is included with this theme package (it's about the only thing from that collection that I like, and can be used independent of the actual theme). The second piece is the text color, which cannot be changed by that application, and must be modified by a theme. Using UxTheme patcher, the stock Windows 7 theme can be modified like so: Styles > ControlPanelStyle > Tasklink > TextColor : Color font:font segoe ui 9 cleartype textcolor:color solid white >hot textcolor:color light green pressed is same disabled is dark gray page is solid white Finally, for anyone looking to make the caption bar opaque, (in solidarity with Windows Vista) below are the values that you'll want to change. Stock/Old/Original: MaxActive - opacity:int 80 colorizationcolor:int 0 colorizationopacity:int 100 textcolor:color solid black glowcolor:color solid white Active - opacity:int 80 colorizationcolor:int 0 colorizationopacity:int 100 glowcolor:color solid white New/Fresh/Vista MaxActive - opacity:int 0 colorizationcolor:int -16777216 colorizationopacity:int 100 textcolor:color solid white glowcolor:color solid white active - opacity:int 80 colorizationcolor:int 0 colorizationopacity:int 100 glowcolor:color solid white If anyone's curious, I plucked those out of fediafedia's theme, if I remember correctly.
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