Problem changing the theme

I'm attempting to change the theme of my computer to one that i personally
create, and each time i try it doesn't work. (right click desktop
Properties Appearance Customize) Each time i change it, it automatically
reverts to the "windows classic" theme, even though it has the name of the
custom theme selected. I even got a program that changes the entire theme for
you called window blinds, but the problem is teh same time, each time i apply
a skin, it reverts to windows classic.

what is the problem, and how do i solve it? thank you.

Is the Themes service running?

Almost any theme other than Windows Classic needs the Themes service
running.
Windows Classic theme does not need the Themes service running.

Open Services...
Start | Run | Type: services.msc | Click OK |
Scroll down to and double click Themes | Click the V next to Startup type |
Select Automatic | Click the Apply button | Click the Start button |
When the Themes service starts, click OK | Close Services

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Joshua hunted and pecked:
I'm attempting to change the theme of my computer to one that i personally
create, and each time i try it doesn't work. (right click desktop
Properties Appearance Customize) Each time i change it, it
automatically reverts to the "windows classic" theme, even though it has
the name of the custom theme selected. I even got a program that changes
the entire theme for you called window blinds, but the problem is teh
same time, each time i apply a skin, it reverts to windows classic.

what is the problem, and how do i solve it? thank you.

My settings were already the same as what you had listed. I tryed
stopping-starting it again, and changing the theme. it did nothing.

"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

Is the Themes service running?

Almost any theme other than Windows Classic needs the Themes service
running.
Windows Classic theme does not need the Themes service running.

Open Services...
Start | Run | Type: services.msc | Click OK |
Scroll down to and double click Themes | Click the V next to Startup type |
Select Automatic | Click the Apply button | Click the Start button |
When the Themes service starts, click OK | Close Services

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Joshua,

See if some of the following helps clarify some things.

You change the theme on the Themes tab of Display Properties.

Theme:
[[Lists the available desktop themes. A desktop theme determines the
overall appearance of your desktop by providing a predefined set of icons,
fonts, colors, mouse pointers, sounds, background picture, screen saver, and
other window elements.
If you modify a predefined theme by changing any individual feature of the
theme, it automatically becomes a custom theme.]]

(right click desktop
Properties Appearance Customize)

I do not see Customize anywhere on the Appearance tab of Display Properties.
Am I missing something?

Windows Classic style in the Windows and buttons list on the Appearance tab
of Display Properties, *NOT* Windows Classic theme on the Themes tab of
Display Properties. These are two entirely different things.

If you select a visual style other than Windows Classic, that style
determines the appearance of your menus, fonts, icons, and other Window
elements. Including Windows and buttons.

If you do this:
1. Open the display properties and then the Appearance tab.
2. Change Windows and buttons to Windows XP Style.
3. The color scheme will change to allow you to select the schemes Blue,
Olive and Silver.

Those are the only choices you get. Period!

If you change Windows and buttons to Windows Classic style, you can change
the look of individual items, you also get way more colors under Color
scheme.


Display Properties | Appearance tab

Windows and buttons:
[[Lists the visual styles that are available for the theme that is currently
selected on the Themes tab. Click the visual style you want to use.]]

[[NOTE: You can change the look of individual items if you select Windows
Classic style in the Windows and buttons list on the Appearance tab of
Display Properties. (Right-click an empty area of your desktop, then click
Properties, and then click the Appearance tab). If you select a visual style
other than Windows Classic, that style determines the appearance of your
menus, fonts, icons, and other Window elements. ]]
How to Change the Font, Size, and Colors of Desktop Items
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310543

Color scheme:
[[Lists the color schemes that are available for the currently selected
visual style (labeled Windows and buttons). Click the color scheme you want
to use.]]

Font size:
[[Lists the font size options that are available for the currently selected
color scheme. Click the font size you want to use.]]

Effects button:
[[Click to set visual effects for Windows menus, icons, and fonts.]]

Advanced button:
[[Click to customize the look of windows, menus, fonts, and icons. This
option is only useful if you selected Windows Classic as your theme.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Joshua hunted and pecked:
My settings were already the same as what you had listed. I tryed
stopping-starting it again, and changing the theme. it did nothing.

"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

Is the Themes service running?

Almost any theme other than Windows Classic needs the Themes service
running.
Windows Classic theme does not need the Themes service running.

Open Services...
Start | Run | Type: services.msc | Click OK |
Scroll down to and double click Themes | Click the V next to Startup
type | Select Automatic | Click the Apply button | Click the Start
button |
When the Themes service starts, click OK | Close Services

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

That was actually very helpful, i never actually realized that changing the
"appearance" only did so for windows classic. I always (wrongfully) assumed
it was doing it under the XP style. However, I still have the problem i
originally had. While using the program Windowblinds, (a themes changer) no
matter what theme i change to, it inevitably reverts my theme to windows
classic. therein lies the ultimate problem.

I know absolutely nothing about WindowBlinds, except that I've heard of it.

Stardock: Support Services
http://www.stardock.com/support/

Support Center » Knowledgebase
http://stardock.helpserve.com/index....gebase&_a=view

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Joshua hunted and pecked:
That was actually very helpful, i never actually realized that changing
the "appearance" only did so for windows classic. I always (wrongfully)
assumed it was doing it under the XP style. However, I still have the
problem i originally had. While using the program Windowblinds, (a
themes changer) no matter what theme i change to, it inevitably reverts
my theme to windows classic. therein lies the ultimate problem.