Microsoft has released different editions of the Windows 7 operating system, all with distinct capabilities and restrictions. Especially the Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic editions have been limited in this regard, with the result that core operating system features are not supported by them.
It is for instance not possible to change the desktop wallpaper in Windows 7 Starter, or access other personalization options that the other Windows 7 editions offer.
The portable software Personalization Panel tries to change that by offering a solution to Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Starter users.
The developer has created two videos that demonstrate the programs capabilities in the operating system editions.
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Starter
The software basically integrates several features into the Starter and Home Basic editions, namely:
- Option to change themes in both editions
- Ability to change wallpaper in Windows 7 Starter editions
- Ability to change color schemes
- Access to personalization features such as changing mouse pointers, sounds, screensavers, account pictures, display settings and icons.
- Integration of a context menu entry to launch the software from the desktop right-click menu
The program is easy to use, and can be started without installation. It supports various display languages that are automatically set on startup. It does require the installation of the free software UxStyle though, which is needed to make the editions compatible with non-native themes.
The program download is available at the developer’s Russian website. (link, Google translate link, via)
Users of Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic have finally a tool at hand to personalize their operating system, almost the same way that users of other Windows 7 editions do.
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Thanks for review. I love you, ghacks :)
I promise to make sounds schemes support from *.theme files in next version.
Also i will make UI colors more close to original and will try to fix issues with limited users accounts.
I do hope MS will not close the project before :)
Version 1.1.0.0
* Easy Access to themes into themes list
* Themepack support
* Uninstall theme feature
* Improved UI usabilty
* Internal optimzations for better perfomance
* Enhanced DWM color calculation (See readme)
* Live preview of colorization
* Minor bugs fixed
* “Change Theme” sound event temporarily removed.
Download link is same. Enjoy
I tried it out and God it worked. Thank you so much guys now my netbook is not stucked having windows only logo as wallpaper. this one worked on my acer AO532h netbook with windows 7 starter. God bless the developer. I’m glad i came across your site.
Quote from author- “It does require the installation of the free software UxStyle though, which is needed to make the editions compatible with non-native themes.”
No actually you DO NOT need to install UX Style to run Personalization Panel for Windows 7 Starter. I have just installed Personalization Panel on my Windows 7 Starter Netbook and it is working great. And it is changing my wallpaper of course. I hope this information helps. Andrea Borman.
how to install?? plss give me the site.. i need this