customizing xp style

[Guest]

How do I customize colors in xp so that I can see them without having to
switch to 'classic view?' I have tried customizing colors in the xp theme or
xp style but the colors dodn't change when I click 'apply.' If I minimize or
restore a window I can see the colors as the size is changing but once it's
reached the correct size the color goes back to the default color (blue). If
I switch to classic view then I can see the colors as intended. Any help
would be appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[Keith Miller MVP]

When you are using classic style, display elements are 'painted' by drawing and filling rectangles
with the colors you specify under 'Display Properties' -> 'Appearance' -> 'Advanced'.

When you are using XP style windows & buttons, the display elements are pre-defined bitmaps which
are stretched or tiled to compose a window. These bitmaps are stored in a .msstyles resource file.

There are 3rd party programs to allow customization of XP styles, two are:

WindowBlinds: http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/

and

StyleXP: http://www.tgtsoft.com/

If you like hacking & want to do it for free, you'll need to google 'themeui.dll patch', which
allows windows to use altered .msstyle files. You'll also need a resource editor to modify the
..msstyles file.