How do I make WinXP look nice? (skin/customization/theme/etc.)

[Kuo]

Not sure if this should go here or in General Software.. but I hope here is ok..

So i've heard of several ways: uxtheme.dll "hack," WindowBlinds, StyleXP, DesktopX

I've been googling all three.. but I'm getting confused as to what does what. uxtheme seems to allow you to modify themes only, WindowBlinds lets you modify.. theme/skin even more (??), desktopx gives you object creation or something..? I'm so confused I don't even know what I'm saying anymore...

And so I 'hacked' uxtheme.dll and tried to get some skins.. and all the websites with uxtheme info proceeded to provide links to other websites w/ skins.. but when I go to browse those sites, all the skins are organized in order by application (eg WindowBlinds/skins, DesktopX/skins, StyleXP/skins). I tried applying one of the skins I get from them, but I either can't do it, or it can't be done. (for one there's no .msstyle file within a WB's .wba file).

So maybe I should abandon the hacked uxtheme and just get WB? People say that the newer version is a lot less system intensive so I have less to worry about it sucking up ram or anything... there was an old thread in this forum where some said WB > StyleXP, and some said otherwise... but a lot of it was based off WB's memory usage, which the supports of WB say is no longer so much.

But anyway, what would be the best way for me to tweek my WinXP look? What I'm looking for would be...

- Standard theme customization, meaning make my toolbar look different, different colors/styles/etc. (i think amost all programs that deal w/ desktop look can do this)
- Possibly some 'add-ons' eg a bar up top that displays my system temp, a calendar on the side
- maybe even the option to change the look totally.. pretend i hve a MAC w/ the mac dock bar :)
- just any other tweeks i can have fun w/
- don't slow my computer down!

Any tips or finger pointing in the right direction will be loved :) For now I'll keep on d/ling random software and trying stuff out o.O (going to be fun cleaning all the random stuff i d/l off later, haha)

[stunna]

the uxtheme is basically a way to change just the theme of windowsXP
WindowsBlinds adds more customized themes and special effects; such as 3d shadows I believe.

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showforum=34

This is a pretty good forum to look at if you're interested in making your windows look different.
I used to change my desktop a lot. You now have a lot more programs to play with.

[DanMattia]

WindowBlinds is nice. Use it in conjunction with wincustomize.com.

ObjectDesktop does all the little fancy doodads all over the place, if you want that. It can be used with WindowBlinds.

[djnes]

You aren't downloading the right themes, then for the uxtheme.dll. You can get them from the Neowin forums as linked above or from deviantart.com. I prefer this method because no extra software is needed.

[Langford]

A new Windows theme will not bring you happiness. To achieve happiness, you mush first change your inner theme...

OK, seriously, be careful with any theme methods that require that you to replace windows system files. Although they are usually good and stable, there is no telling when a new update from windows does something that throws things off in an unexpected way. It might do nothing, and it might be very inconvieninet. Who knows?
My personal philosophy is to set the start menu to hide, pick a nice wallpaper, maybe the free version of objectdock, and just try to ignore XP's overall fisherpricyness.

[Killa_2327]

The Blackbox shell.

[Bbq]

Uxtheme is so you can use non-ms themes.

I suggest that source on deviantart, it is great for windows themes.