Windows Super Advanced Hacks - Read plz!

**Tihiy** · February 6, 2005

First hack.

I've rewritten USER32.DLL.

Compare:

32-bit icons with alpha channel are ugly in Windows 9x/Me/2000

32-bit icons with alpha channel in Windows XP (yes.. no! 9x sreenshot with hack applied)

So, i've made a hack which allows 32-bit icons with true shadow to be propertly displayed in Windows 98/Me. Cool? Very! I need some help.

Now this hack is very limited - due to limited GDI implementation in 9x, works propertly only with white background. But i can make proper hack - it will be even somewhat better&faster than XP version.

So i need to rewrite COMCTL32.DLL and i need the most recent version - may be

from IE6SP1 w/hotfix. I have 5.81.4704.1100 - if someone owns more recent 9x version, upload it somewhere or send it to me by mail.

Due to illegality of this hack it won't be commercial in any way, but if anybody can help me with hosting/testing, i'll appreciate.

Second hack

Animated 640x480 boot logo (XP like) instead ugly 320x400. Cool? Oh, yes!

Now this hack is limited too - doesn't animate .

I can write animating logo pure assembler so it won't consume conventional memory, but i need any fast&small graphical library for it.

If anyone interested in current hack version(s), i'm here.

Third hack

Actually a driver i've written somewhat ago which hooks CTRL-ALT-DEL and launches selected program (task manager) when they are pressed. Now: eng version not ready.

Fourth hack

Small program, similar to "Welcome screen" in w2k: due to system dll hack, loads before any processes - so can check registry for critical/virus threads, select shell for using, change session preferences & more. Now: eng version not ready.

**SiMoNsAyS** · February 6, 2005

****! that would be really interesting for the deskmod comunity!

... i'm just imaging the new XPize for w98se lol ...

**Tihiy** · February 6, 2005

... i'm just imaging the new XPize for w98se lol ...

Sure will work in Win2k too. I think it's not fair Microsoft to deprive Windows of beauty.

**soldier1st** · February 6, 2005

or of win9x for that matter

98 may be old but many still use it still.

**Tihiy** · February 6, 2005

Ok, got 5.81.4916.400. Stay tuned.

**MDGx** · February 6, 2005

Tihiy:
but if anybody can help me with hosting/testing, i'll appreciate.

I can provide you with free space + traffic to host files, and I can test them if u wish.

I am interested to test what you have so far, if u prefer u can send them to me by email.

Please contact me by email if you're interested.

I'm also considering including your files in 98SE2ME, if OK with you [full credits given, of course].

And we can also tell Gape [up 2 u], maybe he'd like to include them into SP 2.0.

IMHO: the last COMCTL32.DLL ver issued by MS is the one from MS IE 6.0 SP1, which you already have. B)

PS: Have you considered using GDI+ [GDIPLUS.DLL from MSDN] instead? Maybe it has extra necessary functions Win9x GDI doesn't [just a thought, I'm not a programmer].

**smokeyjoint** · February 6, 2005

wow costmedic changes to jazz up old drap 9x its about time u guys amazing,why not transform 98se into the 21st century because if u ask most people after multi tasking issues the complaint is 98se is so dape boring maybe instead of including it on 98se2me u could cobime the user32 the browseui hack plus miko logos etc into a bat. and create a enhancement package sp1?gapes has got the sp2 update covered mdgx gor me conversion covered so a enhanement packages called 98se enhanced sp1.0 sound cool .just a thought instead of indivially installing hacks all in one? feel free 2 comment

**Tihiy** · February 6, 2005

I can provide you with free space + traffic to host files, and I can test them if u wish.
I am interested to test what you have so far, if u prefer u can send them to me by email.
Please contact me by email if you're interested.
I'm also considering including your files in 98SE2ME, if OK with you [full credits given, of course].
And we can also tell Gape [up 2 u], maybe he'd like to include them into SP 2.0.
IMHO: the last COMCTL32.DLL ver issued by MS is the one from MS IE 6.0 SP1, which you already have. B)
PS: Have you considered using GDI+ [GDIPLUS.DLL from MSDN] instead? Maybe it has extra necessary functions Win9x GDI doesn't [just a thought, I'm not a programmer].

If I ever write this I think it 'll be valueable in any way. But: modifying windows files is illegal !

I've thought about using GDI+ - actually it is used in Windows XP comctrl32.dll v6; but... dunno now.

Attached version is almost unusable:

- breaks 16-color icons

- breaks drag/overlay cursors

- still prefers 256-color icons, so draws 32-bit icons only if no 256-color icons in file (test on Music.ico - included in zip).

Installation: !!!haven't checked dlls now - may crush system!!!

- copy user32.dll&dll.dll into \windows\system - USE ONLY IF YOU HAVE 4.90.3001 version of USER.EXE - download@MDGx.

- clean shelliconcache (hidden file in \windows directory)

...

Edit: download removed. Updated version is coming.

Edited February 9, 2005 by Tihiy

**horsecharles** · February 6, 2005

Tihiy you are some talent-- esp. because this won't extract a resource-usage penalty.

**Tihiy** · February 6, 2005

Tihiy you are some talent-- esp. because this won't extract a resource-usage penalty.

Sorry... Didn't understand - it won't be a resource hog only if it won't. B)

I think if it'll be written well, it won't - not more that 1-2% system resources.

**horsecharles** · February 6, 2005

Yeah, i meant from the point of view of apps(likely resource hoggers) we regular / square consumers would need install to get the effects/results of the various hakz you just metioned.......

**miko** · February 6, 2005

Second hack
Animated 640x480 boot logo (XP like) instead ugly 320x400. Cool? Oh, yes!
Now this hack is limited too - doesn't animate .
I can write animating logo pure assembler so it won't consume conventional memory, but i need any fast&small graphical library for it.

XP startups may be 640x480

but they are 4bit

9X are 8bit and not that hard to make with XRX

seems alot or work for not much (2-3 sec) gain...

on icons, here's some stuff -

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconBPP]

"Text"="Icon Colors"

"Type"="group"

"Bitmap"="SHDOC401.DLL,6"

"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconBPP\VeryLow]

"RegPath"="Control Panel\\Desktop\\WindowMetrics"

"Text"="16 Colors (below default)"

"Type"="radio"

"CheckedValue"="4"

"ValueName"="Shell Icon BPP"

"DefaultValue"="16"

"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000001

"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconBPP\Low]

"RegPath"="Control Panel\\Desktop\\WindowMetrics"

"Text"="256 Colors"

"Type"="radio"

"CheckedValue"="8"

"ValueName"="Shell Icon BPP"

"DefaultValue"="16"

"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000001

"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconBPP\Medium]

"RegPath"="Control Panel\\Desktop\\WindowMetrics"

"Text"="High Color (16 bit)"

"Type"="radio"

"CheckedValue"="16"

"ValueName"="Shell Icon BPP"

"DefaultValue"="16"

"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000001

"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconBPP\High]

"RegPath"="Control Panel\\Desktop\\WindowMetrics"

"Text"="True Color (24 bit)"

"Type"="radio"

"CheckedValue"="24"

"ValueName"="Shell Icon BPP"

"DefaultValue"="16"

"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000001

"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics]

"Shell Icon BPP"="16"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconCache]

"Text"="Icon Cache Size"

"Type"="group"

"Bitmap"="SHDOC401.DLL,6"

"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconCache\Small]

"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer"

"Text"="1024 Icons"

"Type"="radio"

"CheckedValue"="1024"

"ValueName"="Max Cached Icons"

"DefaultValue"="2048"

"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000002

"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconCache\Medium]

"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer"

"Text"="2048 Icons"

"Type"="radio"

"CheckedValue"="2048"

"ValueName"="Max Cached Icons"

"DefaultValue"="2048"

"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000002

"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconCache\Large]

"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer"

"Text"="4096 Icons"

"Type"="radio"

"CheckedValue"="4096"

"ValueName"="Max Cached Icons"

"DefaultValue"="2048"

"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000002

"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconCache\Huge]

"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer"

"Text"="8192 Icons"

"Type"="radio"

"CheckedValue"="8192"

"ValueName"="Max Cached Icons"

"DefaultValue"="2048"

"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000002

"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer]

"Max Cached Icons"="2048"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

24 bit is a valid color depth in 98, thats 32bit with no alpha channel,

most people don't know this...

miko.

**Tihiy** · February 6, 2005

XP startups may be 640x480
but they are 4bit
9X are 8bit and not that hard to make with XRX
seems alot or work for not much (2-3 sec) gain...

Believe, now it's very easy. I like 640x480 startup logo much better.

On icons: that registry values doesn't work propertly in 98 - it still prefers 8-bit (256 color) icons if more than "16" bpp is specified. But thanks for your help anyway.

**miko** · February 6, 2005

with above reg file, 2 minutes ago on WIN98SE.

this example shows two standard icons,

one from a program (IE6) and one from an XP extracted icon assigned to my docs,

both show a difference/improvement in 24bit over 16,

the problem is not the setting but probably the icon format.

afaik 24bit icons are enabled and included in the 98SE plus pack as well...

**Tihiy** · February 7, 2005

with above reg file, 2 minutes ago on WIN98SE.
this example shows two standard icons,
one from a program (IE6) and one from an XP extracted icon assigned to my docs,
both show a difference/improvement in 24bit over 16,
the problem is not the setting but probably the icon format.
afaik 24bit icons are enabled and included in the 98SE plus pack as well...

Looked wery carefully through the image and saw no difference, only jpeg artifacts. Anyway XP uses 16-bit as default value and draws 32-bit icons within.

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