A small mistake on my unattended setup caused the uxtheme.dll file to not get copied to the dllcache directory during setup. So, I tried doing this manually after Windows was installed.

I disabled the Themes service, and replaced the file both in the dllcache and system32 directories. I also turned off WFP via the registry (not sure I succesfully turned it back on, how do I make sure?) before replacing the file.

Next, I downloaded some visual styles from themexp.org. I placed them in the windows\resource\Themes directory. Each style in its own folder, as instructed in the readme.

And guess what, when I try to select a theme in the Appearance tab, I only see the 3 options that WinXP defaults with. So... what could I be possibly doing wrong and how do I find out?

I am kinda frustrated!

Thanks for any advice.

what method did you use to copy uxtheme.dll over? Using Rename and Copy, or the $$ folder in $OEM$?

I used the $$ method initially, but I made a mistake, I didn't place the dllcache directory inside the system32, I put it alongside it (duh). So the file in dllcache didn't get updated.

All the rest attempts have been made on the installed Windows. I renamed the original file into uxtheme_old.dll, and pasted the hacked version over to system32 and dllcache.

that's the problem, when you haven't replaced the file in dllcache the file in system32 gets restored to the same version thats in dllcache. dllcache is like a backup storage.

I solved the problem eventually! **** that took me the best half of the day. I renamed/copied the file, but this time in safe mode. I would swear I had tried that one before multiple times. Something I must have missed...

Uhm, now how do I make sure, double-check that Windows File Protection is active? I might have messed up any registry entries concerning the WFP in the process and I need a way to test.