Classic theme on Windows 8

[Anixx]

By the way, I have just found the classic MSConfig for Win8 and Win10 http://winaero.com/blog/get-classic-msc ... windows-8/

It allows to manage startup items when using the classic theme.

[windows.nt.win32]

By the way, I have just found the classic MSConfig for Win8 and Win10 http://winaero.com/blog/get-classic-msc ... windows-8/

It allows to manage startup items when using the classic theme.

Well that's nice. That's been annoying me for quite some time now.

[rn10950]

I did some experimenting with the ReactOS Explorer and Windows 10 (both explorer-old and explorer-new) and the classic theme patch:

http://i.imgur.com/kGP5yu9.png
This is the original rOS explorer running with the classic theme patch applied. For some reason, I can't change the desktop background color. Firefox and SeaMonkey are running in Windows XP compatibility mode, which fixes Firefox's titlebar issue. This is closer to a complete implementation at the moment, as it contains its own Start Menu and Desktop.

http://i.imgur.com/PdgFmBL.png
This is the new rOS explorer, there are more bugs, the rOS Start menu doesn't open (it does with explorer-old) and the Desktop and background image/color doesn't show. To start this Explorer, it must be in XP compatibility mode. This does have more potential to get working, as this implementation of the Taskbar is closer to the one in XP/Win2K. (I want to see if I could get the Desktop from Windows Explorer working with the taskbar and Start Menu from rOS explorer.)

Both of these can run without being set as the shell in the Registry, they just need to be started while Windows Explorer is not running. Once you start them, however, you can run Windows Explorer windows alongside the rOS taskbars.

You can download a zip file with explorer-old and a batch file to start ithere.

[KaleidonKep99]

I actually packed the XP themes and the deskn.cpl in this archive.

Tested on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.x and 10, everything works fine.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B05Sp4 ... sp=sharing

[Powerplayer]

[quote="rn10950"]I did some experimenting with the ReactOS Explorer and Windows 10 (both explorer-old and explorer-new) and the classic theme patch:

can you post your mod of the classic theme for windows 10? the one ibmpad made is not updated and only works on win8

[rn10950]

I did some experimenting with the ReactOS Explorer and Windows 10 (both explorer-old and explorer-new) and the classic theme patch:

can you post your mod of the classic theme for windows 10? the one ibmpad made is not updated and only works on win8

I used ibmpad's mod, but I didn't install it, I chose the last option to "Enable Classic Theme Now". (you may have to re-download the latest version) Once you enable this setting, use the batch file to start the rOS explorer. (You'll have to do this after every reboot)

Edit: Oh, and to change the style, you may have to manually run DESKN.CPL in the src folder of ibmpad's zip archive.

[Powerplayer]

Alright, so here is that fix for Firefox that I mentioned earlier.
Download

To install:
1.) Open Firefox
2.) Go to the Add-ons page
3.) Right next to the 'Search all add-ons' box, there should be a button with a gear icon. Click on that and choose 'Install Add-on From File'.
4.) Open the win8-classic-fix.xpi file.
5.) Click 'Install Now'.
6.) Restart Firefox.
This should fix most (if not all) issues related to Firefox with the Windows Classic theme. Let me know if you have any problems with it.

Oh, and before anyone asks, yes it is compatible with the Classic Theme Restorer add-on.

can you make an xpi from micrtofox extension too? i use microfox https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefo ... r-firefox/

[windows.nt.win32]

can you make an xpi from micrtofox extension too? i use microfox https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefo ... r-firefox/

Sure, I can look into it.

[Powerplayer]

can you make an xpi from micrtofox extension too? i use microfox https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefo ... r-firefox/

Sure, I can look into it.

Thanks man will be great for my windows 8.0 togo and even windows 10 togo when classictheme gets updated to work with it...

And please share the method on how you edit it too

[IbmPad]

Sorry for the delay; I don't have much time to work on this. I updated the file (the registry value is set/removed on installing/uninstalling the program and a Win10-compatible DWMAPI.DLL file is included) but there is nothing new…

I just fixed a small problem where the color settings could be lost if pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete (be sure to use the “Configure theme” button instead of running the DESKN.CPL file directly).

[Powerplayer]

Sorry for the delay; I don't have much time to work on this. I updated the file (the registry value is set/removed on installing/uninstalling the program and a Win10-compatible DWMAPI.DLL file is included) but there is nothing new…

I just fixed a small problem where the color settings could be lost if pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete (be sure to use the “Configure theme” button instead of running the DESKN.CPL file directly).

Thank you Ibmpad i love it now my eyes dont hurt from the horrible metro theme , is there a way to revert to system colors for the task bar too? it's still metrofied and rightclick on it brings a broken menu that has no text

[Powerplayer]

I found a bug and been digging into it
C:\windows\system32\sihost.exe rename that file to sihost.bak
on next startup all your system icons on taskbar will be gone but system notification remains .
An error message complaining about cortana and start menu will be there but i disabled so many services that everything else works just finr
Interestingly enough they seem to have been moved a lot of stuff from explorer or shell32 (not sure which) to sihost.exe in windows 10

mayhaps some resource editing and disabling of the horrid sihost.exe would make a fix for classictheme?

here is a screenshot


image search


Cortana a spyware and fake comeback of the start menu files are removed and long gone thank god this psycho sihost is counting not having them as an error?
we have classicshell much superior to that useless metrofied crap

the error resides in shell32.dll.mui maybe that can be of some help

[windows.nt.win32]

Thanks IBMPad. I can't wait to see how the new version works!

[windows.nt.win32]

Alright, so the taskbar is still messed up. But this really isn't much of a surprise since it was like this even when I disabled DWM. And like I mentioned earlier, right-clicking on the taskbar (not including right-clicking on programs in the taskbar, which works fine with 7+ Taskbar Tweaker) still uses the 'immersive context menus' regardless of the registry setting, meaning that it doesn't show any icons or labels with the classic theme. I hope there's some way to fix the taskbar.

The biggest problem I'm having aside from the taskbar issues though is I still can't change the appearance settings at all. I've tried using the deskn.cpl file (both the actual file and from the 'Configure theme' button in ClassicTheme.exe), and I've even tried using the old themes.exe file from Windows 2000. But whenever I press Ok or Apply, the program freezes indefinitely. The only thing I could get working is JaSMiN 3D Color Changer. And while that does a fine job at changing the colors, it doesn't have any option to change fonts. Is anyone else experiencing this on Windows 10, and does anyone have a sollution.

[Anixx]

For changing the fonts to Tahoma and disabling Sagoe fonts I use this reg file:

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;Remove Segoe UI
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]

"Segoe UI (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Bold (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Italic (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Bold Italic (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Semibold (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Light (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Symbol (TrueType)"=""

;Font Substitution
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]

"Segoe UI"="Tahoma"

[windows.nt.win32]

For changing the fonts to Tahoma and disabling Sagoe fonts I use this reg file:

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;Remove Segoe UI
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]

"Segoe UI (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Bold (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Italic (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Bold Italic (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Semibold (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Light (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Symbol (TrueType)"=""

;Font Substitution
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]

"Segoe UI"="Tahoma"

Thanks for the suggestion, but this method would require a restart. I would like to be able to change the colors, metrics, and fonts from ClassicTheme.exe/deskn.cpl or something like it (without logging off). Not to mention, I don't really want to substitute Tahoma for Segoe UI. If I wanted, I could use registry settings from HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop to change the fonts (but that requires you to log off).

I really wish this would work. Is anyone else able to use deskn.cpl on Windows 10 without it freezing indefinitely?

[Anixx]

By the way, some people managed to make Program Manager and File Manager from before-Win95 era to run under Win8 and Win10:

http://chorusofone.no-ip.org/computerst ... n_DONE.zip

[Powerplayer]

disable sihost.exe in classictheme = no taskbar + nagging for restart , is there a way to unhook this crap?

http://s12.postimg.org/as1euj5i5/sihost ... ctheme.png

[Powerplayer]

I did some experimenting with the ReactOS Explorer and Windows 10 (both explorer-old and explorer-new) and the classic theme patch:

http://i.imgur.com/kGP5yu9.png
This is the original rOS explorer running with the classic theme patch applied.

Can you make a patch to run newshell too? http://toastytech.com/guis/misc4.html

[windows.nt.win32]

I believe I've found a solution to the display properties hanging. It seems that restarting explorer.exe will fix it and apply the display settings properly. After restarting it once when the display properties dialog was hanging, the settings now get applied instantly, no problem.

Edit: It still hangs sometimes, regardless. Am I seriously the only one with this problem?

[Powerplayer]

I believe I've found a solution to the display properties hanging. It seems that restarting explorer.exe will fix it and apply the display settings properly. After restarting it once when the display properties dialog was hanging, the settings now get applied instantly, no problem.

Edit: It still hangs sometimes, regardless. Am I seriously the only one with this problem?

Can be related to the system32 version of shellstyle.dll i tried copy the windows 8.1 version and got error messages with classictheme about some [censored] not found in explorer.exe they removed and altered some strings in explorer.exe i believe that makes the whole classic thing unstable , since im not a programmer i do not know what to alter in reshacker to fix the taskbar and freezing issue the old shellstyle also made grouping of windows on and impossible to turn off

[Powerplayer]

maybe reactos shell is not the shell to port to windows
i found this xpde reimplentation for windows ui http://www.i2r.ru/static/282/out_17980.shtml
http://kylixapps.narod.ru/tools.html
now my idea is porting this to replace the entire windows gui would be good because dwm can finally get turned off and if somebody want the original ui just restore the .bak files that got replaced by this nice 5 mb distro + using classicshell code since it nowadays is opensource for start-menu .
This might be a necessity for future compatiblity since microsoft will continue to screw up windows and its settings.

[Anixx]

I have just stumped upon a "debugger" trick, which can be helpful as an alternative way of running w8classic service:

In the example above, I used an old, famous trick in Windows which allows you to start the debugger for a process when that app is run. In case you aren't aware of this feature, you can specify a debugger application for every executable file in Windows. It is possible to set it via the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

Here you can see a list of executable files. It is possible to create the "debugger" Registry value for every file/process name shown in that list.

The "debugger" value usually contains the full path to the executable file which acts as the debugger.

http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-get-the- ... indows-10/

[windows.nt.win32]

I have just stumped upon a "debugger" trick, which can be helpful as an alternative way of running w8classic service:

In the example above, I used an old, famous trick in Windows which allows you to start the debugger for a process when that app is run. In case you aren't aware of this feature, you can specify a debugger application for every executable file in Windows. It is possible to set it via the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

Here you can see a list of executable files. It is possible to create the "debugger" Registry value for every file/process name shown in that list.

The "debugger" value usually contains the full path to the executable file which acts as the debugger.

http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-get-the- ... indows-10/

Yeah I've used this method a lot. It allows me to open a CMD window on the login screen just in case I ever need to do so. I also use this method to enable the classic task manager as well.

Nowadays I prefer starting ClassicThemeA.exe as a scheduled task. This seems to work the best for me, and it allows me to enable it on a per-user basis.

[windows.nt.win32]

maybe reactos shell is not the shell to port to windows
i found this xpde reimplentation for windows ui http://www.i2r.ru/static/282/out_17980.shtml
http://kylixapps.narod.ru/tools.html
now my idea is porting this to replace the entire windows gui would be good because dwm can finally get turned off and if somebody want the original ui just restore the .bak files that got replaced by this nice 5 mb distro + using classicshell code since it nowadays is opensource for start-menu .
This might be a necessity for future compatiblity since microsoft will continue to screw up windows and its settings.

I was actually thinking about a full replacement for the default explorer.exe as well. Since Microsoft isn't supporting the classic theme anymore, compatibility for it with the default Windows shell is only going to get worse. I'm not sure how well porting a Linux DE would work though, since Linux uses a completely different codebase.

[windows.nt.win32]

I believe I've found a solution to the display properties hanging. It seems that restarting explorer.exe will fix it and apply the display settings properly. After restarting it once when the display properties dialog was hanging, the settings now get applied instantly, no problem.

Edit: It still hangs sometimes, regardless. Am I seriously the only one with this problem?

Can be related to the system32 version of shellstyle.dll i tried copy the windows 8.1 version and got error messages with classictheme about some *****Expletives removed by Moderator***** not found in explorer.exe they removed and altered some strings in explorer.exe i believe that makes the whole classic thing unstable , since im not a programmer i do not know what to alter in reshacker to fix the taskbar and freezing issue the old shellstyle also made grouping of windows on and impossible to turn off

I'm not sure how far you could get using just Resource Hacker to fix things. I mean I think it would certainly help quite a lot, but I believe it would require a decent amount of hex editing in addition to ResHacker. I'm not a programmer either (though it is something I'd like to look into eventually) so I really couldn't tell you what to modify.

Now as for deskn.cpl, it seems to freeze with or without shellstyle.dll being present. Honestly, it would also freeze for me in Windows 8 as well, but with that it would eventually apply the settings after some amount of time. It seems like it's only worsened in Windows 10. to where it will just freeze indefinitely. How does it work for you?

[Anixx]

Now as for deskn.cpl, it seems to freeze with or without shellstyle.dll being present. Honestly, it would also freeze for me in Windows 8 as well, but with that it would eventually apply the settings after some amount of time. It seems like it's only worsened in Windows 10. to where it will just freeze indefinitely. How does it work for you?

Under Win8 it does not freeze for me.

[Powerplayer]

maybe reactos shell is not the shell to port to windows
i found this xpde reimplentation for windows ui http://www.i2r.ru/static/282/out_17980.shtml
http://kylixapps.narod.ru/tools.html
now my idea is porting this to replace the entire windows gui would be good because dwm can finally get turned off and if somebody want the original ui just restore the .bak files that got replaced by this nice 5 mb distro + using classicshell code since it nowadays is opensource for start-menu .
This might be a necessity for future compatiblity since microsoft will continue to screw up windows and its settings.

I was actually thinking about a full replacement for the default explorer.exe as well. Since Microsoft isn't supporting the classic theme anymore, compatibility for it with the default Windows shell is only going to get worse. I'm not sure how well porting a Linux DE would work though, since Linux uses a completely different codebase.

Classicshell functionality inside that explorer would be nice since classicshell is opensource the only problem with classicshell would be that it has to stop being a browser helper object and become the main explorer then taskbar and all the other stuff shell32.dll need to be put to replace the metroish crap we are stuck with today to complete things maybe we need a non-metroish logonui meaning no dwm . Classic is good idea for gaming rigs .
But getting functional taskbar and startmenu would be first on the list the rest can be added later. But who will make this? make a kickstarter?

[Anixx]

Classic Shell is not opensource any more.

[Anixx]

Somebody discusses this program: http://www.windowsonwindows.com/tutoria ... -t252.html