Unlock Custom Themes on Windows XP

Windows XP severely limits your customization options, as by default few themes can be applied (Classic and Luna come with XP, Royale comes with XP Media Center Edition or you can find it on the web, and the Zune theme). With this tutorial, you’ll be able to patch Windows and allow custom themes. We’ll be using this UXTheme.dll patcher from Windows X Live.

Download the UXTheme Multi-Patcher

If you haven’t already, download the UXTheme Multi-Patcher from the Windows X Live site, extract it, and you should see an icon like this. Double click it.

The UXTheme Multi-Patcher

Provides basic information on what this program is doing. Click Patch.

A window will popup asking you if it detected the correct Windows version. If you want to check the Build Number, open Windows Explorer and click Help → About. Otherwise, click OK.

The UXTheme Patch Process

Your somewhat-nice XP look goes away and is replaced with WIndows Classic, as the process kills the Theme service to allow the patching process to execute. A warning will popup telling you to wait for the Windows File Protection dialog. Do as it says and wait for the the Windows File Protection to popup.

Windows throws a fit about system files being patched. Ignore it and click Cancel.

Windows File Protection would like to protect you from everything and shows you a second warning about the prospect of your system being instable. Click Yes.

Remember the window telling you to wait for the Windows File Protection dialog? You can click OK on it now.

Make sure you’re done using all the programs on your computer and click OK to restart Windows. This is necessary.

After your system has rebooted successfully, you’re now able to install custom Windows themes. If you wish to undo this patch at any time and revert back to Windows default behavior regarding themes, just run this patch file again.

Tags: Themes, Windows, XP

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 28th, 2008 at 8:34 pm and is filed under Windows. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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12 Responses to “Unlock Custom Themes on Windows XP”

Nihilism said on July 25th, 2008 at 4:00 am

I run the patcher and it tells me “Windows NT setup files detected” (C:\WINDOWS\i386). Any help would be appreciated – thanks!

Jason said on July 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am

@Nihilism: Try moving the i386 folder to My Documents or some other location and retry.

Nihilism said on July 25th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

@Jason: Thanks! I forgot that I had disabled “Themes” in the Services console. I had already patched, but since “Themes” were disabled, I couldn’t switch. Started/Enabled the service and everything looks great.

Jason said on July 26th, 2008 at 7:59 am

@Nihilism: Glad you fixed the issue.

Shireen said on August 26th, 2008 at 9:57 am

Thanks for the instructions

ap said on July 2nd, 2009 at 3:20 pm

i have the same problem jason had… but i am not able to fix it… i tried moving the nt files… i dint understand what jason meant by disabling themes in services console… if u know tell me how to enable it

Jason said on July 2nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm

@ap: Hit Win Key + R, type “services.msc” and scroll down until you see Themes on the list. The status should be started and the startup type should be automatic.

Ronny said on July 8th, 2009 at 8:53 am

i checked the themes status and everything but the theme file i download when i run it it says the archive is corrupted…how do i fix this and set up the theme???

MARKEMO said on September 8th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

i have a problem.,i can’t install the uxtheme multi-patcher…
there’s a dialogue box saying “it appeared that uxpatcher.dll doesn’t support this operating system.if you’re sure that you are not using any beta service pack or beta operating system,please contact me.”,.,.WhAt cAn i do TO install the uxpatcher?pls tell me,.tnx

Lanky said on September 21st, 2009 at 11:34 pm

Yo i tried like moving the files and extractig all that fun stuff still no work and i hate this damn default theme lol

ASAD said on September 27th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

I have the same problem . it is showing C:i386 … but i m not getting the folder ……Any help would be appreciated – thanks!

ishmael said on September 28th, 2009 at 8:29 am

hey i have a proplem i downloaded it but it just keep on resting my computer and when it comes back on the only thing that has changed is the theme to i think classic but in the thing it said something about moving files and i dont see any file puls it didnt ask me about the protection thing can you help i relly need this

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