WinXP - Desktop Properties, Windows & Buttons Style

[Tecknomage]

I use *Windows Classic Style* for my desktop (Desktop Properties,
Appearance tab, Windows and Buttons).


Problem: Every once in awhile, when I boot, my desktop has
automatically switched to *Windows XP Style*.

Is there a way to disable the Windows XP Style? In other words, have
ONLY Windows Classic Style available.

 

[Elmo]

I use *Windows Classic Style* for my desktop (Desktop Properties,
Appearance tab, Windows and Buttons).


Problem: Every once in awhile, when I boot, my desktop has
automatically switched to *Windows XP Style*.

Is there a way to disable the Windows XP Style? In other words, have
ONLY Windows Classic Style available.

Maybe here:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 167. Force Classic Start Menu - Undo

 

[Tecknomage]

Maybe here:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 167. Force Classic Start Menu - Undo

No. That deals with the Start Menu, not the Desktop.

One warning, this ADDS a new Registry setting. Anyone using it should
Export (backup) the specific Registry setting BEFORE running the
"Force Classic Start Menu" .reg file.


Now a "Force Classic Desktop Style" is what I would need.

But I'll try it and see.

 

[Elmo]

No. That deals with the Start Menu, not the Desktop.

One warning, this ADDS a new Registry setting. Anyone using it should
Export (backup) the specific Registry setting BEFORE running the
"Force Classic Start Menu" .reg file.


Now a "Force Classic Desktop Style" is what I would need.

But I'll try it and see.

You're right, but Kelly also has some fixes for the Desktop theme on her
site.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 187. Restore Luna Theme - Restore Classic Theme
Line 261. Restrict Desktop Theme Controls (Might block changes)

Go here, click "T" and scroll down the "Themes" area for more suggestions.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

 

[Tecknomage]

You're right, but Kelly also has some fixes for the Desktop theme on her
site.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 187. Restore Luna Theme - Restore Classic Theme
Line 261. Restrict Desktop Theme Controls (Might block changes)

Go here, click "T" and scroll down the "Themes" area for more suggestions.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

I noted the "Windows XP Style Changes to Windows Classic" just above
the Themes section. Downloaded and looked at it. Doubt it's what I
want, seems to disable things I DO want. I use "Desktop Themes
Editor" from Left Side Software. It is old, pre-XP, but good. So the
Registry mods in the above may disable modification.

What I would like is a way to REMOVE the Windows XP Style from my
system altogether but leave all else alone. I seem to remember there
is a folder somewhere that has the XP Style, could be wrong of course.

 

[Elmo]

I noted the "Windows XP Style Changes to Windows Classic" just above
the Themes section. Downloaded and looked at it. Doubt it's what I
want, seems to disable things I DO want. I use "Desktop Themes
Editor" from Left Side Software. It is old, pre-XP, but good. So the
Registry mods in the above may disable modification.

What I would like is a way to REMOVE the Windows XP Style from my
system altogether but leave all else alone. I seem to remember there
is a folder somewhere that has the XP Style, could be wrong of course.

Have you saved a theme as you prefer it? I was looking through Display
Properties, Themes, and it wouldn't allow you to delete the Windows XP
theme. Still, if you had a preferred theme stored, it would be quicker
to reset if Windows changed it on you again. Perhaps having a stored
theme would keep XP from reverting back to the default.

 

[John John - MVP]

I noted the "Windows XP Style Changes to Windows Classic" just above
the Themes section. Downloaded and looked at it. Doubt it's what I
want, seems to disable things I DO want. I use "Desktop Themes
Editor" from Left Side Software. It is old, pre-XP, but good. So the
Registry mods in the above may disable modification.

What I would like is a way to REMOVE the Windows XP Style from my
system altogether but leave all else alone. I seem to remember there
is a folder somewhere that has the XP Style, could be wrong of course.

Just disable the Themes service and everything will revert to classic.

John

 

[Tecknomage]

Have you saved a theme as you prefer it? I was looking through Display
Properties, Themes, and it wouldn't allow you to delete the Windows XP
theme. Still, if you had a preferred theme stored, it would be quicker
to reset if Windows changed it on you again. Perhaps having a stored
theme would keep XP from reverting back to the default.

I'll do that. Next time my desktop mysteriously switches from
"Classic Style" to "Windows XP Style" on boot, I'll see if recovering
the saved theme works.

 

[Tecknomage]

Just disable the Themes service and everything will revert to classic.

John

Hummm..... Live and learn.

 

[John John - MVP]

Hummm..... Live and learn.

LOL. I guess that means disabling the service is a suitable fix for
what you wanted?

John

 

[Jose]

Hummm..... Live and learn.

--
======== Tecknomage ========
Computer Systems Specialist
     IT Technician
     San Diego, CA

So is disabling the Themes service the solution?

It is a popular "solution" when the underlying issue can't be
determined.

My Themes service is running and I don't have this problem.

Which of our systems is malfunctioning?

 

[Tecknomage]

So is disabling the Themes service the solution?

It is a popular "solution" when the underlying issue can't be
determined.

My Themes service is running and I don't have this problem.

Which of our systems is malfunctioning?

Did you read this thread?

On *occasion*, when I boot my desktop comes up in the "Windows XP
Style" even though I had "Windows Classic" set. I have to reset
"Classic" when this happens.

Disabling the Theme Service could take care of this problem. I'll
have to wait and see.

Note that Themes are just eye-candy which some users do like. I don't
which is why my system is all Classic. For *me* the Theme Service is
not necessary.

It is too early to say for sure yet, but I've noted one improvement
with the Theme Service set to Manual, the icons in the Taskbar Tray
come up much more smoothly and do not show as a black square (which is
another minor annoying problem I had).