Window Blinds

[SmokeyVol]

Does anyone here use this program to change the look of windows?

I run it on my work pc and the theme looks like tombstones. I prefer a dark color look to my desktop.

Stardock WindowBlinds

Extra themes
WinCustomize: WindowBlinds Gallery

 

[rwemyss]

No no no no no. It wastes TONS of resources. I use the built in theme crap for Windows... hacked so that unsigned themes can be used.

 

[SmokeyVol]

hacked so that unsigned themes can be used.

explain..... opcorn:

 

[rwemyss]

You use a patched uxtheme.ini that allows unsigned themes.

Check out Neowin.net - Where unprofessional journalism looks better for details... specifically this thread.

UXTheme Multi-Patchers - Neowin Forums

 

[SmokeyVol]

Will you be able to use themes from WinCustomize: WindowBlinds Gallery

 

[rwemyss]

Will you be able to use themes from WinCustomize: WindowBlinds Gallery

Negatory. WBA is a proprietary file format for WindowBlinds. Windows uses .theme files.

 

[rwemyss]

Browsing Visual Styles on deviantART

 

[Island Dog]

WindowBlinds barely uses any resources, that is an old story that does not apply to the latest versions of WB. It is currently using less than 1mb of RAM on my system.

The advantages of using WindowBlinds is you will get per-pixel skins (transparency), the ability to change colors of the skins, and you don't have to hack your system files.

There is a free trial so I would suggest downloading it and trying it for yourself.

 

[SmokeyVol]

I really like it so far.

 

[rwemyss]

... and you don't have to hack your system files.

THAT is a misconception. Would you care to guess HOW WindowBlinds does all that skinning? :crazy:

 

[rwemyss]

WindowBlinds barely uses any resources, that is an old story that does not apply to the latest versions of WB. It is currently using less than 1mb of RAM on my system.

The advantages of using WindowBlinds is you will get per-pixel skins (transparency), the ability to change colors of the skins, and you don't have to hack your system files.

There is a free trial so I would suggest downloading it and trying it for yourself.

I take it you found our site from a linkback on the link I posted to Neowin?

If so, you realize the great rift in debates between WindowBlinds and using a hacked uxtheme.

Welcome to our board! I hope you find it interesting enough to stick around. :good!:

 

[SmokeyVol]

He's a linkback hunter

 

[Island Dog]

I take it you found our site from a linkback on the link I posted to Neowin?

If so, you realize the great rift in debates between WindowBlinds and using a hacked uxtheme.

Welcome to our board! I hope you find it interesting enough to stick around.

I didn't see the post on Neowin, I was doing a search and came across this post.

I definitely know about the debate, but I didn't stop by to start that here, and yes I think I will stick around.

THAT is a misconception. Would you care to guess HOW WindowBlinds does all that skinning?

What's the misconception? In order to use unsigned themes in Windows you have to replace .dll files to make them work.

WB doesn't hack or replace those system files.

 

[MG1968]

I just use the Vista Transformation Pack. The themes aren't spectacular, but with the right wallpaper they turn out very well. The one I'm using now is Slate PDC with the Mistic taskbar (thin).

 

[rwemyss]

What's the misconception? In order to use unsigned themes in Windows you have to replace .dll files to make them work.

WB doesn't hack or replace those system files.

No, but WindowBlinds DOES bypass them to run its own theming system. The claim that Stardock makes about it using "less" resources is senseless, b/c the uxtheme.dll is still in memory, just being bypassed by the new WB.dll, at which point they had to modify a system file SOMEWHERE to hijack the theme calls, so of course it uses more resources. I'm glad to see they seem to have reduced the insane resources earlier versions used, but I refuse to use it based on my first experiences. :good!: