Take customization to the next level with our advanced Windows skins and skinning tutorials

Time to delve deeper into Windows skins, themes and customizations! If you read our introduction to Windows skins and themes and you still want to learn more, then our skinning tutorials will show you how you can customize every aspect of your desktop. This section is still under construction, but you are welcome to view the tutorials we have already finished!

Basic Themes

Windows does come with a few basic themes and Microsoft themselves have some themes you can download and apply. The options here are somewhat limited, but the basic themes are easy to apply. You can find out how and also what kind of results to expect by viewing out basic theme tutorials:-

Basic themes in Windows XP
Basic themes in Windows Vista
Basic themes in Windows 7

Advanced Themes

If you were disappointed with the basic Windows themes (and we would imagine many of you were) then, if you are brave enough, it's time to take skinning and theming to the next level. In order to do this, we need to remove the Microsoft restriction that prevents unsigned themes being installed. This requires you to patch a Microsoft system library called "uxtheme.dll". As with all unofficial modifications to Windows there is some element of risk, but we have not encountered any problems on our systems.

Patching Windows XP uxtheme.dll with the Uxtheme Multipatcher

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users can use the free VistaGlazz utility to patch uxtheme.dll on their systems. VistaGlazz 2 now officially supports Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

VistaGlazz Tutorial 1 - Installation
VistaGlazz Tutorial 2 - Patching uxtheme.dll

Super Skins with Stardock

Still not satisfied with your desktop? For the ultimate in desktop skinning and customization, you'll want to check out some of Stardock's professional skinning utilities.

Looking for an easy way to install Stardock software products and keep them up to date? Try Impulse, Stardock Software's excellent digital distribution service. Check out our tutorials below for more information:-

Impulse Tutorial 1 - Installing Impulse
Impulse Tutorial 2 - Guided Tour

Stardock MyColors

MyColors is the easiest of the Stardock skinning utilities to use. It lacks some of the advanced features of its big brother, WindowBlinds, but is very user friendly. See our tutorials below for more information and for a peek at how great your desktop could look with this fantastic utility!

MyColors Tutorial 1 - Installation
MyColors Tutorial 2 - Guided Tour

Stardock WindowBlinds

WindowBlinds has been a popular skinning utility for many years and it has developed into a very powerful application. Our tutorials are now fully updated for Windowblinds 7. If you want to make your Windows desktop truly unique, check out the tutorials below:-

WindowBlinds Tutorial 1 - Let's skin!
Windowblinds Tutorial 2 - Troubleshooting

Stardock Desktop X

For the most extreme desktop makeovers, Desktop X can completely transform the way your computer works. We'll bring you the lowdown on this extreme skinning tool in the near future, but if you want to know more now, go have a look at the DesktopX homepage.

TrueTransparency

We recently found out about this great little utility that gives Windows XP users transparent window borders and also emulates the Aero Snap and Aero Shake features found on Windows 7. TrueTransparency works with Windows XP and Windows Vista.

TrueTransparency Tutorial 1 - Using TrueTransparency
TrueTransparency Tutorial 2 - New skins and exceptions

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