wb 501 -- skin doesn't stick

January 1, 2009 2:53 AM from

wb and winXP

I'm using the default windows XP Style. I install WB 4.51, reboot. I go into the settings and change the skin to AirFrame. Everything changes with no problems. When I reboot, it starts off with the default windows XP Style, then after everything has loaded, it reverts to Windows Classic Style, and everything is all light gray. I go into the WB settings and AirFrame is still selected. I change to another skin, but everything still stays with the Classic Style.

I unistall 4.51 and remove everything from the registry. I install 4.6, then I tried 501 and I still get the same thing.

Anyone know whats happening and what I can change to fix this.

Thanks

windowblinds

58,222 views 17 replies

Reply #1 January 1, 2009 3:03 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

Heya, I don't know much about this, but do you by any chance have SP3? because it requires a patch, so your themes can apply properly

Reply #2 January 1, 2009 3:10 AM from

Stardock Forums Top

yes, winXP SP3. Whats the patch? Or better yet, where do I get it.

One other thing: When I look in the task manager, wb isn't listed.

Reply #3 January 1, 2009 3:16 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

Here you go buddy, click for the patch

I'm not sure on your other problem, but let us know if the patch fixes anything

And Happy New Year!

Reply #4 January 1, 2009 3:41 AM from

Stardock Forums Top

Oh wow! It was as simple as that. Wish everything else was as easy as that.

Thanks for everything and Best of the New Year to you too.

Reply #5 January 1, 2009 3:45 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

Anytime buddy, glad it's all ok now, take care

Reply #6 January 1, 2009 6:12 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

WindowBlinds does NOT require any UXTheme patches.

Why are you using such an old version of WindowBlinds?

Reply #7 January 1, 2009 6:25 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

Sorry Neil, I didn't know that , but it fixed his problem.. and the link is gone, it's not an illegal patch, it's from Microsoft...

If it didn't require it, how did it fix it?

I can't do anything right... just when I was starting to come out of my depression..

Reply #8 January 1, 2009 6:48 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

I can't do anything right... just when I was starting to come out of my depression..

Tailsgirl...you're going great guns.....stop being so hard on yourself.....you've been buzzing around being helpful everywhere...can't always get it 100% right...no need to beat yourself up about it.............relax...have fun.. chill...

Reply #9 January 1, 2009 8:26 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

That link didn't look like it was from Microsoft to me which is why I removed it. I cannot find any references to a Microsoft UXTheme SP3 patch anywhere on the internet.

If you can find such a reference then the link may be put back but I hope you can understand why we cannot suggest to customers that they install such things.

Reply #10 January 1, 2009 9:23 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

Tailsgirl - Happy New Year!

We appreciate your input and help suggestions. You are doing your best in trying to assist users who are having issues with their computer and it is greatly aprreciated.

Reply #11 January 1, 2009 3:02 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

Hey, all I know is without this file change or patch, things didn't work. So, Tailsgirl's help was very appreciated, and I gave her a nice karma.

Why the link was removed, I have no idea. It shouldn't have been. After digging around, I found this information about this very well known problem:

http://www.ghacks.net/2008/01/21/uxthemedll-patcher-for-windows-xp-and-vista/

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1088/how_to_patch_uxtheme_dll_file_xp_home_pro/

http://uneasysilence.com/how-to-use-unsigned-themes-on-windows/

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070728124419AAOmv34

http://www.belchfire.net/index.php?showtopic=9001

Reply #12 January 1, 2009 3:09 PM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

Hi guys, and thanks

It was freeware from Softpedia, and I just googled it again, and people are freely putting the link on the Microsoft Community forum itself

Community Forum - Microsoft I was only trying to help, and it's freeware at any leading download site, it helped me a while ago, and a lot of other people have used it that have WB, that is why I suggested it, sorry if I did the wrong thing, I was only trying to help, as no-one was around, and the guy needed help, so I gave it to him, the best I knew how.

Microsoft Explanation reguarding third party themes and SP3.

Like I said in my first post in this topic, I don't know much about any of it, I was only trying to help.

Reply #13 January 1, 2009 4:36 PM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

Unlike every other theme app for XP/Vista, WindowBlinds works differently and does not require a patched uxtheme dll.

Thats why WB continues to work after Service Packs etc and why we are able to add new features such as glass on XP.

Patching that dll would enable 3rd party msstyle files to run, but would have no impact on WB itself (though if you break that dll totally with a patch then you might upset WB, but you would upset the default OS theme too)

That patch is used to bypass an intentional security feature of uxtheme.dll. It is not Microsoft provided or recommended.

Reply #14 January 1, 2009 4:45 PM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

OK, I'm not on trial here, all I did, was HELP someone, and it worked!!!! and it has worked for 100's of people with WB, so I can't be ALL that wrong

I'm not the creator of this patch, I only tried to help a guy.. and I get crapped on for doing so, you weren't here to help him, and I was, and apparently, according to the topic author himself --> I did.

Feel free to burn me at the stake for trying to be a caring person... I feel useless most of the time, and yesterday I was just starting to feel good about myself, after 8 years of mental and physical abuse from my husband.. so helping people when I can, makes me feel better.. and you came in and made me feel totally and utterly worthless.. thankyou.

I have no friends in real life due to the fact I'm agoraphobic and never leave my house, and I've made WC my home, and met so many wonderful people I now called friends.. am I going to be banned for helping someone?

I won't direct anyone to that patch in future.

Reply #15 January 1, 2009 4:56 PM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

am I going to be banned for helping someone

Most certainly not!

Reply #16 January 1, 2009 5:02 PM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

I am sorry if you have taken offense as that was not my intention, but we have to be careful here as these are the SD support forums and some people will incorrectly assume all the posts come from Stardock.

If someone installs such an unauthorised patch and has problems then they may blame Stardock for it.

Additionally one of our major features of WindowBlinds is the fact that it is different to all the other apps and does not need patching for each update. Posting links to patches may confuse the issue here.

As I say, I am sorry if you feel I made you feel worthless as that wasn't my intent. Your help around the forums is appreciated by many people as your karma level shows.

Reply #17 January 1, 2009 5:05 PM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

Sorry, I didn't know

I won't post the patch again.

I you guys

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