Style your desktop (windows themes)

[Quarzi]

I posted this in the TV-Links forum a long time ago and didn't see any such thread here so I've copyed it here.
I don't know if all the links are up to date but I hope this will work =)
You can naturaly choose if you want to keep it or not.

Beginner’s guide to the styled desktop

The idea with this tutorial is to bring up the most common questions about styling a desktop.
This guide is based on what I know and have tested myself. But if you have another tip, feel free to post it and maybe I will add it to this post.

I'm from Sweden so my Windows is in Swedish and my translations and spelling may not be 100% right. :P

Q: What programs can I use?
There are many programs to use when styling a desktop.
Here are some examples of the most common:

Skinning programs
Style XP
UXTheme Multi-Patcher (Neowin Edition) 4.0 <- This link is not the same as the ones in the description below, just to mention.
WindowBlinds

Shell Programs
BlackBox and BBLean
LiteStep
Aston

System Info
Samurize
DesktopX
Desktop Sidebar

Program Docks
Objectdock
MobyDock

Other
AveDesk
Tweak UI

MSN
Mess Patch (latest)
Mess Patch older versions
A-Patch
Messenger Plus!
StuffPlug
Messenger Discovery

Q: Why patch with uxtheme.dll?
It lets you use unsigned themes for Windows XP Home/Pro. No need for other programs running in the background, using resources.
Put downloaded skins in ~\Windows\Resources\Themes\ (only to keep track of them a little, you can have the theme folder anywhere you want) then double-click your theme to apply it.

Q: How do I patch with uxtheme.dll?
Just download UXThem Multi-Patcher, unzip and run the .exe then reboot your computer.
PS. I don't take responsibility for what happens on your computer, it may go wrong but I've never heard of anything gone wrong.

Q: How do I get a menu like the one Macintosh uses?
To make that work you need a "Dock" program like ObjectDock or MobyDock.
They are pretty easy to learn and understand, just take some time to study and learn how they work.

Q: I have seen people that have small sized icons on their desktop. How do I do that?
Right click on your desktop and press Properties > Appearance > Advanced. In the drop-down menu select Icon and on the right you can change size of the icons. Default is 32.

Q: I have seen people that have had most of their icons bigger and some smaller. How do I do that?
They have probably used AveDesk, a program where you can make alot of different stuff to your desktop, like big folders and Post-it notes on the desktop.

Q: How do I remove my recycle bin from the desktop?
Download and install TweekUI. When you have opened it, press Desktop and uncheck Recycle bin.

Q: How do I remove the little arrows from my shortcuts?
Use TweekUI, Explorer tab and choose what you want in Shortcut overlay.

Q: How do I get rid of all the ads in MSN?
Download A-Patch or Mess Patch and choose everything you want to remove.. There are loads of things you can change with it.
If you want to remove the tabs to the left in MSN you go to Tools > Options. In Tabs, check hide tabs. Or in some cases you may need to check that "this is a shared computer, hide my tabs" or something like that.

Good links
DeviantArt – Wallpapers, Icons, Themes
Wincustomize - Themes, Shells, Skins, Wallpapers



A few examples on how it can look with some modifications

My desktop before with UXTheme Multi-Patcher (Neowin Edition) 4.0 and Objectdock



The icons are placed and structured with Objectdock

My desktop today (Jan 4 2007) with only UXTheme Multi-Patcher (Neowin Edition) 4.0 and another skin for Winamp and MSN 7.0 with other skin.



A friend's desktop using UXTheme Multi-Patcher (Neowin Edition) 4.0 and another skin for Winamp and some MSN mods with programs mentioned above.