Classic theme on Windows 8

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windows.nt.win32
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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#271 Post by windows.nt.win32 » Wed Oct 21, 2015 2:45 pm

Splitwirez wrote:Let's atleast try Vista's explorer before falling back to NT 4, okay? ._.

(Also XP's explorer is actually very stable on Windows 8 O.o )
I'm currently testing things on Windows 10 and not Windows 8. From my tests, Windows Vista's explorer is actually even more unstable than XP's. I'm actually kind of surprised that XP's start menu works as well as it does (Vista's doesn't even work at all), but it's a shame that the pinned programs and the all programs lists don't work though. Like I mentioned earlier, I can't get the desktop to work with any version of explorer thus far outside of Windows 10's explorer (I still have yet to test Windows 7's explorer though). One other thing I've also noticed is that the right-click menu is still blank even with XP's explorer.exe. So I'm guessing that issue is external from explorer.

Honestly, I wouldn't really describe XP's explorer as unstable as much as I would describe it as very crippled. That honestly just makes me wish it could be modified to work properly. :/
Splitwirez wrote:Also, what did you think of that 9x/modern hybrid logo I made? Good rnough to go on a WINVER and a Wallpaper? Or is it just garbage? ._.
I see what you were going for, and to be honest it's not terrible. I would suggest maybe taking the old Windows 9x flag and incorporating the Windows 8 logo in it. That would be cool, and I think it would make it a lot clearer. Just some constructive criticism. :)
On a slightly related note, I can't seem to change the bitmap for winver, as modifying basebrd.dll will break activation.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#272 Post by Powerplayer » Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:02 pm

windows.nt.win32 wrote: I see what you were going for, and to be honest it's not terrible. I would suggest maybe taking the old Windows 9x flag and incorporating the Windows 8 logo in it. That would be cool, and I think it would make it a lot clearer. Just some constructive criticism. :)
On a slightly related note, I can't seem to change the bitmap for winver, as modifying basebrd.dll will break activation.
Image this logo but with this style and coloring Image the other way around simply
Or just use my version it loads fine in classicshell

On another note it would be interesting to see the windows classic nt4 theme run on android as a launcher so far we see the skinned windows 7 horrible startmenu but it has explorer window management in minimized resizable mode here is that laucher maybe it can be modded to become a full classic anyone? https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... t.windroid i think skinning app manager in taskmanager style needs to be done

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#273 Post by Splitwirez » Wed Oct 21, 2015 8:15 pm

Powerplayer wrote:
windows.nt.win32 wrote: I see what you were going for, and to be honest it's not terrible. I would suggest maybe taking the old Windows 9x flag and incorporating the Windows 8 logo in it. That would be cool, and I think it would make it a lot clearer. Just some constructive criticism. :)
On a slightly related note, I can't seem to change the bitmap for winver, as modifying basebrd.dll will break activation.
Image this logo but with this style and coloring Image the other way around simply
Or just use my version it loads fine in classicshell

On another note it would be interesting to see the windows classic nt4 theme run on android as a launcher so far we see the skinned windows 7 horrible startmenu here is a laucher maybe it can be modded to become a full classic anyone? https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... t.windroid i think skinning app manager in taskmanager style needs to be done
There's a "Classic Button" option in Classic Shell, which follows the Classic Theme colour. Try using it, rather than that full-bitmap button.

EDIT: Just a thought...Image, anyone? xD

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#274 Post by Powerplayer » Wed Oct 21, 2015 8:46 pm

Splitwirez wrote:
EDIT: Just a thought...Image, anyone? xD
Its nice but i kinda like mine more its a concept of how microsoft would do it if they made things right (i use small taskbar cause win2000 did not oversize it)

My idea was more like keeping the straight layout but add in the 95 stuff and keep it 1 color (white). Also there need to be graphics for when button is pressed like on my button to match earlier windows versions.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#275 Post by Splitwirez » Wed Oct 21, 2015 9:08 pm

Powerplayer wrote:
Splitwirez wrote:
EDIT: Just a thought...Image, anyone? xD
Its nice but i kinda like mine more its a concept of how microsoft would do it if they made things right (i use small taskbar cause win2000 did not oversize it)

My idea was more like keeping the straight layout but add in the 95 stuff and keep it 1 color (white). Also there need to be graphics for when button is pressed like on my button to match earlier windows versions.
Um...I was joking. Or atleast I thought I was. Look, I know how to make Classic Shell buttons and skins, I was just sharing the idea for humorous reasons. However, if you think it'd actually be a worthwhile Start button...then here it is, as a functional button:
Image :mrgreen:

EDIT: Moar brainstorming...
Image
Your thoughts?

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#276 Post by windows.nt.win32 » Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:08 pm

So I got around to trying the Windows 7 explorer.exe on Windows 10. The 64-bit version didn't work at all, and the 32-bit version just opened an explorer window. So I guess that's not gonna work (unless it's just dependent on some other files from Windows 7 or something).

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#277 Post by Splitwirez » Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:35 pm

windows.nt.win32 wrote:So I got around to trying the Windows 7 explorer.exe on Windows 10. The 64-bit version didn't work at all, and the 32-bit version just opened an explorer window. So I guess that's not gonna work (unless it's just dependent on some other files from Windows 7 or something).
From my XPrience (lol), Windows 10 sometimes launches explorer windows instead of the taskbar, even with its own explorer. I suggest trying different methods of launching Se7en x86's explorer until one shoves a taskbar in place.

EDIT: Also...your thoughts on the Start Menu concept above? .-.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#278 Post by Powerplayer » Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:39 pm

Splitwirez wrote: Your thoughts?
how did u make the white icons black and the text font black at taskbar? I like to have that as i wait for classictheme taskbar to get fixed

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#279 Post by Splitwirez » Fri Oct 23, 2015 4:51 am

Powerplayer wrote:
Splitwirez wrote: Your thoughts?
how did u make the white icons black and the text font black at taskbar? I like to have that as i wait for classictheme taskbar to get fixed
It's just a concept image.

AKA it's completely photoshopped.

Just a "what if", not an actual tweak ._.

EDIT:
windows.nt.win32 wrote:On a slightly related note, I can't seem to change the bitmap for winver, as modifying basebrd.dll will break activation.
Might you be able to modify Winver to get that bitmap from a different location (e.g. a copy of basebrd.dll , under another name)? Probably not the most practical solution, but hey, you do what you have to when you're a videogame modder at heart (which I am) xD

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#280 Post by windows.nt.win32 » Fri Oct 23, 2015 1:35 pm

Splitwirez wrote:EDIT: Moar brainstorming...
http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1b25/6 ... ?size_id=6
Your thoughts?
That 'Consolepeasant' shortcut just made my day! :lol:

But that does look pretty nice. Not sure if it would actually be possible to get the default Windows 10 menu to work, but I wouldn't rule it out completely. My main issue right now is the taskbar.
Splitwirez wrote:Might you be able to modify Winver to get that bitmap from a different location (e.g. a copy of basebrd.dll , under another name)? Probably not the most practical solution, but hey, you do what you have to when you're a videogame modder at heart (which I am) xD
I've also done a fair amount of videogame modding, and I get what you mean. I know that shell32 stores the dialog for winver, and upon poking around in there with a hex editor I found a certain 'BrandingLoadImage' string. The only problem is modifying shell32.dll will lead to a BSOD on startup. The only other ideas I have are to see it this can be done by modding winbrand.dll, or by somehow getting shell32.dll.mui to load the image (which can be modified safely). Otherwise, I guess we'd have to create our own winver (which wouldn't cover 'about' dialogs, so not the most ideal sollution IMHO).

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#281 Post by Splitwirez » Fri Oct 23, 2015 1:42 pm

windows.nt.win32 wrote:
Splitwirez wrote:EDIT: Moar brainstorming...
http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1b25/6 ... ?size_id=6
Your thoughts?
That 'Consolepeasant' shortcut just made my day! :lol:

But that does look pretty nice. Not sure if it would actually be possible to get the default Windows 10 menu to work, but I wouldn't rule it out completely.
Fingers crossed...

...(Also did you see the "Control Panel's little brother" bit? xD )
windows.nt.win32 wrote: My main issue right now is the taskbar.
Fair enough. Lettuce not splatter. (lol)
windows.nt.win32 wrote:
Splitwirez wrote:Might you be able to modify Winver to get that bitmap from a different location (e.g. a copy of basebrd.dll , under another name)? Probably not the most practical solution, but hey, you do what you have to when you're a videogame modder at heart (which I am) xD
I've also done a fair amount of videogame modding, and I get what you mean. I know that shell32 stores the dialog for winver, and upon poking around in there with a hex editor I found a certain 'BrandingLoadImage' string. The only problem is modifying shell32.dll will lead to a BSOD on startup. The only other ideas I have are to see it this can be done by modding winbrand.dll, or by somehow getting shell32.dll.mui to load the image (which can be modified safely). Otherwise, I guess we'd have to create our own winver (which wouldn't cover 'about' dialogs, so not the most ideal solution IMHO).
...is that a flaw in Resource Hacker?

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#282 Post by windows.nt.win32 » Fri Oct 23, 2015 3:44 pm

Splitwirez wrote: ...(Also did you see the "Control Panel's little brother" bit? xD )
Missed that, lol.
Splitwirez wrote: ...is that a flaw in Resource Hacker?
No, it seems that ever since Windows 8.1 (possibly Windows 8.0 but I'm not sure), it'll give you a BSOD on boot if shell32.dll doesn't have a Microsoft digital signature.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#283 Post by Splitwirez » Fri Oct 23, 2015 4:02 pm

windows.nt.win32 wrote:
Splitwirez wrote: ...(Also did you see the "Control Panel's little brother" bit? xD )
Missed that, lol.
Figured as much xD
windows.nt.win32 wrote:
Splitwirez wrote: ...is that a flaw in Resource Hacker?
No, it seems that ever since Windows 8.1 (possibly Windows 8.0 but I'm not sure), it'll give you a BSOD on boot if shell32.dll doesn't have a Microsoft digital signature.
..UxStyle: DLL edition? WHERE ARE YOU Q^Q

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#284 Post by bugmn » Fri Oct 23, 2015 4:05 pm

Hello, if you'd like a windows 10 start menu with tiles within classic shell, please support my thread here:
http://classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5277
Here's a picture of what it'd look like:
http://oi58.tinypic.com/wm0yeq.jpg

If you need a windows task manager that works in windows 10 classic mode ( and maybe 8 ) here it is:
http://winaero.com/blog/get-classic-old ... indows-10/

windows.nt.win32 wrote:
bugmn wrote:Update: I tried the windows classic theme enabler ibmpad made, and came across a few bugs. It doesn't change the color of the taskbar. What color it does change is only a little bit. Image here: http://i61.tinypic.com/o70ba1.png
Yeah that's a bug that we're currently trying to fix. It's pretty annoying, yes.
bugmn wrote:The windows 10 start button is missing, and right clicking on the taskbar produces a blank selection. Image here: http://i61.tinypic.com/262abls.png The start button issue can bne fixed using a custom start button however.

I think the start button is dependent on Aero, so that's why it won't work without a custom button. I normally use Classic Shell with a custom button, so to me that's not the biggest issue. I'm not sure why right-clicking on the taskbar shows up blank though. Again, it is pretty annoying.
I think I read somewhere that ibmpad made a registry fix somewhere in these posts, but I didn't find it.
bugmn wrote: Another bug is making the taskbar bigger, right clicking on the taskbar & selecting one of the blank options crashes explorer/the taskbar, which you can't fix by restarting explorer. You get a black screen after it crashes. The only fix I've found for this is uninstalling the theme enabler and re-installing the theme.

Interesting, I've never had this happen to me.
Yeah, I don't know why it's not working. I'll have to try it again and see if it works now?
bugmn wrote:As for desktop architect while the classic theme is installed , loading a windows 98 theme doesn't change anything except for the color of the active titlebar.

I haven't messed around with Desktop Architect too much, but I noticed that loading schemes from it seemed to be messed up for some reason. Hopefully there's a way to fix this; it does look like a nice program.
It hasn't had any problems so far with me. It doesn't work like it did on windows 7 though.
bugmn wrote: Also, kudo's on the 'configure theme' menu bringing up a windows 98-esk display properties menu to edit your theme.
If you can combine a custom theme using UxStyle ( UxTheme didn't work for me ) and the display properties theme editor to change colors and etc on the fly, that'd be great! ^_^


When you say custom theme, do you mean visual style? If that's the case, that could bring its own set problems. Mainly, Windows visual styles basically just overlay bitmaps over the classic theme, and then DWM will create desktop composition effects such as transparency, Aero colorization, and other effects. Plus, custom visual styles are a bit more limited than they were in the days of Windows XP. So I don't think this method would work out too well.
Oh, I didn't mean when the classic theme was installed, but rather to do it without it installed. If we could make a theme that looks exactly like the windows 98 theme, then we wouldn't need this program to enable the windows classic theme. Also, we could make a program to edit the colors and etc on the fly just like if we had the classic theme default from microsoft.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#285 Post by Splitwirez » Sat Oct 24, 2015 8:14 am

bugmn wrote:Oh, I didn't mean when the classic theme was installed, but rather to do it without it installed. If we could make a theme that looks exactly like the windows 98 theme, then we wouldn't need this program to enable the windows classic theme. Also, we could make a program to edit the colors and etc on the fly just like if we had the classic theme default from microsoft.
Windows 10's Visual Styling engine isn't powerful enough to do that - the caption buttons would still be rectangular, for starters, and far too large. I did a bit of messing around to see how close I could get with a visual style. The results were...let's just say not pretty, for lack of a more horrifically accurate explanation :Y

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#286 Post by Powerplayer » Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:39 pm

Splitwirez wrote:
bugmn wrote:Oh, I didn't mean when the classic theme was installed, but rather to do it without it installed. If we could make a theme that looks exactly like the windows 98 theme, then we wouldn't need this program to enable the windows classic theme. Also, we could make a program to edit the colors and etc on the fly just like if we had the classic theme default from microsoft.
Windows 10's Visual Styling engine isn't powerful enough to do that - the caption buttons would still be rectangular, for starters, and far too large. I did a bit of messing around to see how close I could get with a visual style. The results were...let's just say not pretty, for lack of a more horrifically accurate explanation :Y
Well heres an idea take the explorer.exe resource straight from the beta win10 where beta still had explorer taskbar and add that as default explorer to see if it displays a taskbar

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#287 Post by windows.nt.win32 » Sat Oct 24, 2015 3:40 pm

Powerplayer wrote:Well heres an idea take the explorer.exe resource straight from the beta win10 where beta still had explorer taskbar and add that as default explorer to see if it displays a taskbar
Do you know the latest build that would have an explorer.exe with the classic taskbar?

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#288 Post by Powerplayer » Sun Oct 25, 2015 12:33 am

windows.nt.win32 wrote:
Powerplayer wrote:Well heres an idea take the explorer.exe resource straight from the beta win10 where beta still had explorer taskbar and add that as default explorer to see if it displays a taskbar
Do you know the latest build that would have an explorer.exe with the classic taskbar?
i think the earliest builds but here is another idea use unsigner and signer programs for explorer and edit back the taskbar http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=432041 or only unsign it and try anyway

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#289 Post by bugmn » Sun Oct 25, 2015 1:29 am

Splitwirez wrote:
bugmn wrote:Oh, I didn't mean when the classic theme was installed, but rather to do it without it installed. If we could make a theme that looks exactly like the windows 98 theme, then we wouldn't need this program to enable the windows classic theme. Also, we could make a program to edit the colors and etc on the fly just like if we had the classic theme default from microsoft.
Windows 10's Visual Styling engine isn't powerful enough to do that - the caption buttons would still be rectangular, for starters, and far too large. I did a bit of messing around to see how close I could get with a visual style. The results were...let's just say not pretty, for lack of a more horrifically accurate explanation :Y
Well, here's a theme that has small circular caption buttons that works on windows 10: http://hamedsp.deviantart.com/art/Unity ... -493515764 You could also place a static image in the title bar that is gradient and goes from blue to light blue like the original classic theme.

Apparently windows blinds is coming soon to winows 10, and will allow you to fully skin windows 10. I think it's out for windows 8 right now, Im just not sure on that.

Did you see my idea at classic shell forums? The one here? http://classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5277 It'll allow you to create a start menu that looks exactly like the one you brainstormed/photoshopped in one of the above posts with the black text/logo's & everything.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#290 Post by windows.nt.win32 » Sun Oct 25, 2015 3:11 am

bugmn wrote:Well, here's a theme that has small circular caption buttons that works on windows 10: http://hamedsp.deviantart.com/art/Unity ... -493515764 You could also place a static image in the title bar that is gradient and goes from blue to light blue like the original classic theme.

Apparently windows blinds is coming soon to winows 10, and will allow you to fully skin windows 10. I think it's out for windows 8 right now, Im just not sure on that.

Did you see my idea at classic shell forums? The one here? http://classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5277 It'll allow you to create a start menu that looks exactly like the one you brainstormed/photoshopped in one of the above posts with the black text/logo's & everything.
I still don't think creating a custom visual style that mimics the classic theme is the best way to go. There are too many limitations, and the colors could not be completely customized like with the real classic theme. With visual styles, I don't think it will be possible to create an accurate classic theme.

By the way, the idea of incorporating live tiles into Classic Shell's start menu does sound like it would make for a pretty cool option.

Splitwirez wrote:..UxStyle: DLL edition? WHERE ARE YOU Q^Q
This times 100!

It's funny because .msstyles files are really just DLL files with a different extension, so I don't see why this wouldn't be possible.

Powerplayer wrote:i think the earliest builds but here is another idea use unsigner and signer programs for explorer and edit back the taskbar http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=432041 or only unsign it and try anyway
This looks interesting. I'll definitely take a look at this.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#291 Post by Splitwirez » Sun Oct 25, 2015 5:09 am

windows.nt.win32 wrote:
bugmn wrote:Well, here's a theme that has small circular caption buttons that works on windows 10: http://hamedsp.deviantart.com/art/Unity ... -493515764 You could also place a static image in the title bar that is gradient and goes from blue to light blue like the original classic theme.

Apparently windows blinds is coming soon to winows 10, and will allow you to fully skin windows 10. I think it's out for windows 8 right now, Im just not sure on that.

Did you see my idea at classic shell forums? The one here? http://classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5277 It'll allow you to create a start menu that looks exactly like the one you brainstormed/photoshopped in one of the above posts with the black text/logo's & everything.
I still don't think creating a custom visual style that mimics the classic theme is the best way to go. There are too many limitations, and the colors could not be completely customized like with the real classic theme. With visual styles, I don't think it will be possible to create an accurate classic theme.
True, true, and true. Also what bugmn failed to notice is that the Visual Style he linked to got around the problem by making the maximize and minimize buttons invisible, and making the close button look like a tiny circle (which doesn't even affect its hitbox). So that solution is not only impractical as all hell, but it doesn't even allow the maximize and minimize buttons to exist D:
windows.nt.win32 wrote:By the way, the idea of incorporating live tiles into Classic Shell's start menu does sound like it would make for a pretty cool option.
Yeah, I hope they do that.

IMO small live tiles would've been great on the Windoes 10 start menu. I just wish they'd made the left column white. That would've made it far less intimidating :Y
windows.nt.win32 wrote:
Splitwirez wrote:..UxStyle: DLL edition? WHERE ARE YOU Q^Q
This times 100!

It's funny because .msstyles files are really just DLL files with a different extension, so I don't see why this wouldn't be possible.
waitwut

I honestly thought they were a fudged version of the .tar.gz.zip.package.dpbf.pineapple.directxlinklibRAWRy.morepineapple.exe.app.run.bat.cmd.indirectlinklibrary.ill.rw4.mcl.dll.dll.dll.dll.VBox.dll.pootis.psd.pdn format >.<
Powerplayer wrote:i think the earliest builds but here is another idea use unsigner and signer programs for explorer and edit back the taskbar http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=432041 or only unsign it and try anyway
This looks interesting. I'll definitely take a look at this.[/quote]
...what? *Head explodes*


Um...should I just...do more concept stuff, or are there more resource images that need changing? (If the latter, I can do that) :V

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#292 Post by windows.nt.win32 » Sun Oct 25, 2015 5:32 pm

Splitwirez wrote:True, true, and true. Also what bugmn failed to notice is that the Visual Style he linked to got around the problem by making the maximize and minimize buttons invisible, and making the close button look like a tiny circle (which doesn't even affect its hitbox). So that solution is not only impractical as all hell, but it doesn't even allow the maximize and minimize buttons to exist D:
Yeah, I think it would ultimately be better to try and get the real classic theme to be more functional.

Splitwirez wrote:IMO small live tiles would've been great on the Windoes 10 start menu. I just wish they'd made the left column white. That would've made it far less intimidating :Y
That definitely would have made the menu feel more familiar to many users, I think.
Splitwirez wrote:waitwut

I honestly thought they were a fudged version of the .tar.gz.zip.package.dpbf.pineapple.directxlinklibRAWRy.morepineapple.exe.app.run.bat.cmd.indirectlinklibrary.ill.rw4.mcl.dll.dll.dll.dll.VBox.dll.pootis.psd.pdn format >.<
Oh yeah, I think I've worked with that filetype before, lol.

But yeah, I'm pretty sure they are just DLL files.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#293 Post by bugmn » Sun Oct 25, 2015 9:58 pm

Splitwirez wrote: I still don't think creating a custom visual style that mimics the classic theme is the best way to go. There are too many limitations, and the colors could not be completely customized like with the real classic theme. With visual styles, I don't think it will be possible to create an accurate classic theme.

True, true, and true. Also what bugmn failed to notice is that the Visual Style he linked to got around the problem by making the maximize and minimize buttons invisible, and making the close button look like a tiny circle (which doesn't even affect its hitbox). So that solution is not only impractical as all hell, but it doesn't even allow the maximize and minimize buttons to exist D:
I see, I didn't notice the faults in that theme, thanks for pointing that out. If the maximize and minimize buttons were visible like the close button maybe it would work? I'm not too sure on that though.

Check out windows blinds ( https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/ ). I'm pretty sure if gives you more power over visual styles than just editing an msstyle file. You could possibly make a classic theme with it. You might even be able to put in a feature request to them to have a display properties window that allows you to change the colors of the theme on the fly.

Here's a theme created with windows blinds that has small caption buttons that I found: http://skins13.wincustomize.com/7/32/73 ... 1-8373.jpg

Also another one here: http://www.wincustomize.com/explore/windowblinds/7884/

Edit: Apparently windows blinds has a display properties window that allows you to change the colors as you want. It also has an option for a gradient color titlebar like the classic theme as shown here: http://i62.tinypic.com/jqpcp4.png
windows.nt.win32 wrote:By the way, the idea of incorporating live tiles into Classic Shell's start menu does sound like it would make for a pretty cool option.
Yeah, I hope they do that.

IMO small live tiles would've been great on the Windoes 10 start menu. I just wish they'd made the left column white. That would've made it far less intimidating :Y
Well, since there isn't an api readily available for 3rd party programs to use the live tiles, my idea is to incorporate images & multiple columns into classic shell. Hopefully if it gets enough support/votes on the thread, ivo might consider adding it.

With my idea, you can replicate the start menu with the black icon/text that Splitwirez made.
windows.nt.win32 wrote:
Splitwirez wrote:..UxStyle: DLL edition? WHERE ARE YOU Q^Q
This times 100!

It's funny because .msstyles files are really just DLL files with a different extension, so I don't see why this wouldn't be possible.
There is vistastylebuilder if that helps, I'm not sure if it does though.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#294 Post by Powerplayer » Mon Nov 02, 2015 12:09 pm

Splitwirez wrote: I still don't think creating a custom visual style that mimics the classic theme is the best way to go.
True we need a genious who can port the win7 themes including classic theme with all registry mods and the whole classic theme service as well as control panel functionality and from there make the classic taskbar , just backport it win10 is built over win7 anyway.
Can be good to have the day M$ remove control panel and explorer in order of metrofying everything and turn windows into a toaster.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#295 Post by bugmn » Tue Nov 03, 2015 12:29 am

Powerplayer wrote:
Splitwirez wrote: I still don't think creating a custom visual style that mimics the classic theme is the best way to go.
True we need a genious who can port the win7 themes including classic theme with all registry mods and the whole classic theme service as well as control panel functionality and from there make the classic taskbar , just backport it win10 is built over win7 anyway.
Can be good to have the day M$ remove control panel and explorer in order of metrofying everything and turn windows into a toaster.
Porting the windows 7 classic theme to windows 10 is a good idea.
If they can do that, port the old icon control panel too! I miss the look of the old control panel.
http://www.guidebookgallery.org/pics/gu ... in98se.png
The 'turning windows into a toaster' comment made me laugh, probably the best line I've heard in a while xD

I think taskbar theming will be possible when the next windows blinds comes out with support for windows 10. Then you can make a classic taskbar like windows 98 uses.
I think if you can make something like this with windows blinds:
https://www.stardock.com/products/windo ... tomize.png
then you can make the classic theme as well with it.

I'm pretty sure that the theming engine is more powerful in windows blinds than just the regular editing a msstyles file.

I just hope for windows 10 support soon. Windows 8 support is out right now if anyone can make a classic theme with it.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#296 Post by windows.nt.win32 » Tue Nov 03, 2015 2:38 am

I think it would be less work just to make the classic theme we have now work better. I mean it's functional, and it is the real classic theme. If we could get the taskbar to somehow not be broken, get rid of a lot of Windows 10's pointless crap (things like sihost.exe and such) then I'd say we already have a functional classic theme. I'd like to find out exactly what's making the taskbar behave the way it does, and then get rid of it.
That said, I think a classic theme with WindowsBlinds could be a nice alternative, but I'd consider it a last resort. The main reason being I have actually noticed that I get better performance with the real classic theme. I'm not running on a slow system or anything, but I do appreciate the performance boost. And on top of that, I don't really want to be running any programs/services that I don't need to. I have enough as is, and I want to keep my system open for memory-intensive applications/gaming/etc.

Again, I'm not completely against the idea, and I think it could be good for people who want to have a classic-style interface and still use Windows 10 features. I'd just much rather get the classic theme we have now to work better.


Anyway, regarding the classic Control Panel. I really wouldn't mind seeing that return, but I'm not sure how one would go about doing it. I'll look into it though. Too bad modern explorer doesn't let you use the classical 32x32 icon arrangement though.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#297 Post by Splitwirez » Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:43 am

windows.nt.win32 wrote:I think it would be less work just to make the classic theme we have now work better. I mean it's functional, and it is the real classic theme. If we could get the taskbar to somehow not be broken, get rid of a lot of Windows 10's pointless crap (things like sihost.exe and such) then I'd say we already have a functional classic theme. I'd like to find out exactly what's making the taskbar behave the way it does, and then get rid of it.
That said, I think a classic theme with WindowsBlinds could be a nice alternative, but I'd consider it a last resort. The main reason being I have actually noticed that I get better performance with the real classic theme. I'm not running on a slow system or anything, but I do appreciate the performance boost. And on top of that, I don't really want to be running any programs/services that I don't need to. I have enough as is, and I want to keep my system open for memory-intensive applications/gaming/etc.

Again, I'm not completely against the idea, and I think it could be good for people who want to have a classic-style interface and still use Windows 10 features. I'd just much rather get the classic theme we have now to work better.


Anyway, regarding the classic Control Panel. I really wouldn't mind seeing that return, but I'm not sure how one would go about doing it. I'll look into it though. Too bad modern explorer doesn't let you use the classical 32x32 icon arrangement though.
Agreed, the Classic Theme has never given as much of a performance boost as it does in Windows 8 and 10 .-.

WindowBlinds would also be bad since it'd hide this project behind a paywall of sorts.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#298 Post by windows.nt.win32 » Tue Nov 03, 2015 7:20 pm

Splitwirez wrote:WindowBlinds would also be bad since it'd hide this project behind a paywall of sorts.
Wait, it's not freeware? Then definitely forget that for me. I don't want to have to spend any money for just to get a classic theme when we already have one that works (for the most part anyways).

Somehow I remember a free version of WindowsBlinds, but I'm probably mistaking it for something else (I did mess around with a lot of different theming programs back in my days on Windows XP).

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#299 Post by bugmn » Tue Nov 03, 2015 7:42 pm

windows.nt.win32 wrote:
Splitwirez wrote:WindowBlinds would also be bad since it'd hide this project behind a paywall of sorts.
Wait, it's not freeware? Then definitely forget that for me. I don't want to have to spend any money for just to get a classic theme when we already have one that works (for the most part anyways).

Somehow I remember a free version of WindowsBlinds, but I'm probably mistaking it for something else (I did mess around with a lot of different theming programs back in my days on Windows XP).
Yes, thats the unfortunate part. It's $10 to buy the software. Id say it'd be worth it to get the classic theme back, but for others they might not think that way.

What we need is a developer on board to continue this project and make the classic theme work across everywhere in the operating system. Hopefully we can find one.

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Re: Classic theme on Windows 8

#300 Post by windows.nt.win32 » Tue Nov 03, 2015 7:50 pm

Alright, well thanks for the info. I do agree that we're kind of stuck right now, and a developer is probably exactly what we need to get the classic theme to work better. I'll keep an eye out for someone who might be interested, though I'm not sure any of the programmers I know would be. I want to take a computer science class in the near future, so maybe I could do some developing whenever that happens.

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