Windows XP users have not really seen a lot of love theme-wise from Microsoft since the release of the operating system. A measly handful of official themes have been released by Microsoft and the trend seems to continue for Windows Vista users. There is not really a reason to not to supply customers with fresh themes for their operating systems. If you look on the Internet you find many resources that cater to the needs of users who want to change the default themes.
Official themes on the other hand have the advantage of being signed meaning that there is no need to tamper with the uxtheme.dll file that protects the operating system from unofficial themes. Vishal over at Ask VG discovered a new signed Windows XP theme that is also compatible with Windows Server 2003 that can be installed without changing system files.
He discovered the theme in the Windows Embedded Standard CTP Refresh distribution and provided download links to it. The theme is supplied as a self extracting executable that installs the theme in the right location in Windows. The theme can then be selected from the Themes tab in the Display Properties.
The main benefit of this theme is that it is signed. Many users will probably still prefer unsigned themes because of the choice of thousands of themes instead of the handful of signed ones. Take a look at my Windows Vista Theme Customization article for information about applying custom themes to Windows Vista or the Windows XP Theme Royal Noir which is also signed.
Related posts:
Royal Noir Theme Windows XPWindows XP Zune Theme
Windows Vista Theme Customization
Windows Themes Patcher
Install Vista Themes Without Patching The System First
7-Zip Theme Manager
uxtheme.dll Patcher for Windows XP and Vista
Google Chrome Theme Website Live
10 Responses to “Another Signed Windows XP Theme Emerges”
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[...] ghacks.net) Posted by willwm Filed in (Other Blogs), Articles & News, Customization, Downloads, Themes [...]
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[...] use other, non-signed themes, check out our guide to using custom visual styles in XP and Vista. [via]no comments yet.The Budget Calculator Breaks Down How Much You Can Spend [Economy] »« [...]
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[...] The Ask VG blog points us to a dark blue, modern-looking “Embedded” theme for Windows XP, designed and signed by Microsoft. That means no file hacking—just install the package and switch your theme in your desktop preferences. Here are two direct download links. To use other, non-signed themes, check out our guide to using custom visual styles in XP and Vista. [via] [...]
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[...] a GHacks me encuentro con este nuevo tema para windows xp firmado por Microsoft lo que significa que para [...]
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[...] Si, por otro lado, utilizan Windows Vista, sigan este otro tutorial via ghacks [...]
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[...] Fuente | gHacks [...]
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[...] About us Theme XP in Dark Blue, No Hacking Required [Themes] Thursday, October 9th, 2008 @ 5:30 pm | Author: admin The Ask VG blog points us to a dark blue, modern-looking “Embedded” theme for Windows XP, designed and signed by Microsoft. That means no file hacking—just install the package and switch your theme in your desktop preferences. Here are two direct download links. To use other, non-signed themes, check out our guide to using custom visual styles in XP and Vista. [via] [...]
Ha ha ha. I just finished patching the necessary files to give me full glass on Vista.
Scratch that. They do have VistaGlazz for SP1!
I had written that Code Gazer hadn’t come up with VistaGlazz for SP1. Goes to show you how long it’s been since I last bothered to check their site.
I patched all my files manually and I didn’t have to!
Ow, noyce!
well now, that’s interesting! this actually doesn’t look too bad. most of the graphics are from Luna, but many are slightly updated – they are overall just a bit shinier, somehow more Vista-like. the color is a bit much, but this could be a fun one to mod :)