Display Properties will NOT stay set to Windows Classic

A

aaa

Hi,

I am a Windows XP Home Edition user and prefer the standard gray Windows
Classic buttons, color schemes, screen saver, etc, over the more
eye-straining Windows XP.

The problem is that after setting Themes to Windows Classic, after rebooting
the the Display Properties reverts to Windows XP.

I reloaded the O/S and the problem remains.

My Display Properties settings are set to (or begin as):

- Theme: My Windows Classic Theme
- Desktop: my color preference (off-green, not XP blue);
- Screen saver: (None);
- Appearance/Windows and buttons: Windows Classic style;
- Appearance/Color scheme: Windows Standard

After rebooting, the Display Properties settings get modified to:

- Theme: My Windows Classic Theme
- Desktop: my color preference (off-green, not XP blue);
- Screen saver: (None);
- Appearance/Windows and buttons: Windows XP;
- Appearance/Color scheme: Default (blue)

I do not understand why my Desktop color preference remains the off-green
color, but the Appearance settings revert to Windows XP and Default (blue).
I went to Microsoft and reviewed and executed their instructions
for changing Display Properties settings, and the problem remains.

As a workaround, I created a shortcut to the saveed file "My Windows Classic
Theme" and it does correct the problem, but it also shifts the first and
second columns of icons on my desktop so it is not an acceptable workaround.

After Googling this problem, I found a reference to Kellys Korner XP, and
modified the Registry as outlined, but that did not correct the problem.

I sure would like this problem to go away because I am NOT fond of Windows
XP blue and cannot tolerate the eye strain it imparts.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and probable fixes.

Anna A. Arkin
 
A

aaa

I prefer not because I should not have to install a third-party program that
adds clutter and additional artifacts on my HDD.
 
M

Mark L. Ferguson

You should explore the possibilities involved in the use of the 'Add or
Remove Applications' item in Control Panel.
 
D

dloj333

Thanks for the guesswork, Mark, but please GO AWAY ! ! !

Mark has done nothing but try and help you and all you can say is GO
Away? Why don't you go to a Mac you obviously can't handle Windows.
 
J

John John

A round about way to get there:

If the Themes service stops or if you disable it, the new Windows XP
visual style—windows, buttons, scrollbars and other controls—will revert
to the Windows Classic visual style.

John
 
A

aaa

Thank you for your valued input, John, your suggest works perfectly!!!

I do not know if any other program(s) depend on this service, but I suspect
that I will discover them when I run them again for the first time.

Thanks again!!

Anna
 
J

John John

You're welcome. Nothing else of any importance should be relying on the
Themes service. If you don't like and don't want to use XP visual style
then there is really no reason to have the service running, the
resources that the service uses can be made available for other things.

I see that you multi-posted this other groups and that one of the IE
MVP's gave you possible causes for the problem, one of which may be
spyware. You should heed his advice and make sure that you machine is
clean! While I certainly advise anyone who doesn't want to use XP
visuals or themes to turn off or disable the Themes service, in your
case you should make sure that disabling the service isn't simply
masking the symptoms of a deeper underlying problem.

John
 
A

Alan Biddle

Coming in late here, but I had a similar problem. Something to try is
Run SERVICES.MSC, and then look for THEMES in the list. Try disabling
it. The effect will be immediate, and it should restore your display
to Classic. If so, you can disable it starting. Nothing else seems
to depend on this service. My system, for no reason which I ever
found suddenly started resetting to XP a few months ago. This fixed
it, with no problems I have found.

FWIW
 
A

aaa

I shall, John, and I agree. Prior to the Bear's reply, I had bumped into
that same link via a Google search. At this time, brand new to XP and while
I work on achieving a smooth running O/S, I have the various software turned
OFF and after downloading MS' Defender, I run it daily. Once all is good,
then I will enable a few of the automated software with one exception,
Norton A/V AutoProtect.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, John, I sincerely appreciated them.

Anna :blush:)
 
A

aaa

Thank you, Alan, that was the fix. Interestingly, a fellow respondent, John
John, suggested the same fix late afternoon CDT yesterday and (as you know)
it works perfectly!!

Thanks again!!

Anna :blush:)
 

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