Classic theme on Windows 8

[bugmn]

Perhaps we can extract the classic theme from reactos and make it work under windows 8/10. It's open source as well which might make things easier too.

[windows.nt.win32]

Perhaps we can extract the classic theme from reactos and make it work under windows 8/10. It's open source as well which might make things easier too.

Not sure how that would work, since the classic theme isn't so much a 'theme' as much as it is an interface (if that makes any sense). Let me explain.

Windows themes are generally just made up of bitmaps and desktop compositioning (in the case of Windows Vista and newer). However, the classic theme is rendered by Windows itself. Specifically, it is rendered by the files gdi32.dll and user32.dll. The way it works is gdi32.dll will draw lines and shapes (it is also responsible for rendering system fonts), and user32.dll will take these lines, shapes, and fonts and make them into windows, buttons, scrollbars, and other parts of the interface (correct me if I'm wrong on any of this, but I'm pretty sure that's how it works). So it's actually more of a part of the system than anything else. Windows will not function without these files, as they are core parts of the operating system. Even with visual styles, the classic theme is always running underneath them.

AFAIK ReactOS does more or less the same thing, but its binaries would be different from Windows. So it wouldn't be compatible.

Also keep in mind that the classic theme itself isn't really broken; it works the same way it did in Windows XP/Vista/7. It's more just parts of the Windows interface have not been designed to work with the classic theme (like the taskbar and such), and therefore look buggy with it. If we were to fix these issues, we would have a fully-functional classic theme.

[Powerplayer]

AFAIK ReactOS does more or less the same thing, but its binaries would be different from Windows. So it wouldn't be compatible.

Also keep in mind that the classic theme itself isn't really broken; it works the same way it did in Windows XP/Vista/7. It's more just parts of the Windows interface have not been designed to work with the classic theme (like the taskbar and such), and therefore look buggy with it. If we were to fix these issues, we would have a fully-functional classic theme.

By the way things are going we need a full new unsiged opensource interface made from scratch that works with logonui not reliant on the giant imageres.dll filet that was introduced in win7 add the classicshell features to it (not as bho) so that way everytyime windows updates we could just need minor changes to the custom classic explorer interface that replaces the broken microsoft shell.
I could imagine running that without rpc and dcomlaunch we will save resources run our systems and games at top speed with true NT look

As we know classishell is opensource and runs as a bho object which means we need to port to explorer.exe . That and classicshell for win8 is just a patchwork of something we defacto used to have in windows but make classicshell into its own explorer with window management and everything and windows 10 will be best , test with continuum too.
A clean fully standalone interface is the best way to go because when it gets really bad microsoft might remove control panel and cause further damage into windows and the damage will be beyond repair so action needs to be taken in time.

[windows.nt.win32]

By the way things are going we need a full new unsiged opensource interface made from scratch that works with logonui not reliant on the giant imageres.dll filet that was introduced in win7 add the classicshell features to it (not as bho) so that way everytyime windows updates we could just need minor changes to the custom classic explorer interface that replaces the broken microsoft shell.
I could imagine running that without rpc and dcomlaunch we will save resources run our systems and games at top speed with true NT look

As we know classishell is opensource and runs as a bho object which means we need to port to explorer.exe . That and classicshell for win8 is just a patchwork of something we defacto used to have in windows but make classicshell into its own explorer with window management and everything and windows 10 will be best , test with continuum too.
A clean fully standalone interface is the best way to go because when it gets really bad microsoft might remove control panel and cause further damage into windows and the damage will be beyond repair so action needs to be taken in time.

We really need a developer for all this...

Older versions of Classic Shell are open source, but newer ones are not. If your idea is to make Classic Shell into a full shell, the best bet for that would probably be to update the NT 4 explorer.exe to work on newer versions of Windows as its own standalone application, and add Classic Shell's code to it. Give it the addition of a Windows 98-style addressbar, and you're good to go. I like the idea, but it will take time and work. You're right that things will only get worse for the classic theme as time goes on, so this might even become essential in the future.

Like I said, a full LogonUI.exe is a project I've wanted to do for a long time, but I don't have programing skills to do so at the moment (hopefully soon though ). I've got quite a few ideas for it too, some of which I've already detailed.

[Splitwirez]

Just thinking...
http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1912/r ... ?size_id=8
Reactions I'd expect:
Yes? No? Stahp? "FFS ENOUGH LONGHORN"?

MOD WARNING: Please read the Forum Rules, especially Section 5 about forum images.
Those HUGE pictures are NOT allowed.

[windows.nt.win32]

Well, I think I finally found what was freezing deskn.cpl for me. It turns out, Skype seems to be the culprit. Upon exiting that, deskn.cpl will work fine, and will apply new settings like it should. Now I wonder why Skype of all things is causing that? It just makes me miss Skype 4.2 even more now...

Anyways,

Just thinking...
http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1912/r ... ?size_id=8
Reactions I'd expect:
Yes? No? Stahp? "FFS ENOUGH LONGHORN"?

Looks nice. Is that a VM, or concept art of yours? I love the look of the M4-M5 builds.

Also, it looks like we're in the same timezone.

[bugmn]

Perhaps we can extract the classic theme from reactos and make it work under windows 8/10. It's open source as well which might make things easier too.

Not sure how that would work, since the classic theme isn't so much a 'theme' as much as it is an interface (if that makes any sense). Let me explain.

Windows themes are generally just made up of bitmaps and desktop compositioning (in the case of Windows Vista and newer). However, the classic theme is rendered by Windows itself. Specifically, it is rendered by the files gdi32.dll and user32.dll. The way it works is gdi32.dll will draw lines and shapes (it is also responsible for rendering system fonts), and user32.dll will take these lines, shapes, and fonts and make them into windows, buttons, scrollbars, and other parts of the interface (correct me if I'm wrong on any of this, but I'm pretty sure that's how it works). So it's actually more of a part of the system than anything else. Windows will not function without these files, as they are core parts of the operating system. Even with visual styles, the classic theme is always running underneath them.

AFAIK ReactOS does more or less the same thing, but its binaries would be different from Windows. So it wouldn't be compatible.

Also keep in mind that the classic theme itself isn't really broken; it works the same way it did in Windows XP/Vista/7. It's more just parts of the Windows interface have not been designed to work with the classic theme (like the taskbar and such), and therefore look buggy with it. If we were to fix these issues, we would have a fully-functional classic theme.

Thanks for clearing that up, that helps.

Your right about the taskbar, parts of the control panel & metro apps and such though. It'd be nice if everything did work. There's also right clicking the taskbar which produces a blank selection.

What do you guys think of this? To make the classic explorer that classic shell has look like windows 98 for a classic look to your folders?
Thread is here: http://classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic ... 250#p23250
Support it if you'd like to see a classic explorer.

MOD WARNING: Please read the Forum Rules, especially Section 5 about forum images.
Those HUGE pictures are NOT allowed.

[Splitwirez]

Just thinking...
http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1912/r ... ?size_id=8

Looks nice. Is that a VM, or concept art of yours? I love the look of the M4-M5 builds.

Also, it looks like we're in the same timezone.

'tis build 4039 (M6) in a VM, though I used it as my main OS for almost 2 weeks back in April. I had just installed it on my second computer for lols when my main comp imploded, as a result of a Vista Style Builder-related freak accident. And so now I can brag about that

So, wait a sec...does that mean this project might be going 10nghorn?? DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
I'd gladly do some Win10 integration concepts if so ^-^

(Also VM Clock is wrong ._. )

[Powerplayer]

Give it the addition of a Windows 98-style addressbar, and you're good to go.

or this idea that i had for ages an adressbar that you enable in classicexplorer just like you enable the classicshell buttons and move it to any field u want

http://s1.postimg.org/9gy2ergen/openwindow.jpg

The adressbar is photoshopped i wish this could be made though.


also in replies try to edit out posted images and save , its annoying to see same image many times on a page just saying.

MOD WARNING: Please read the Forum Rules, especially Section 5 about forum images.
Those HUGE pictures are NOT allowed.

[bugmn]

Give it the addition of a Windows 98-style addressbar, and you're good to go.

or this idea that i had for ages an adressbar that you enable in classicexplorer just like you enable the classicshell buttons and move it to any field u want

http://s1.postimg.org/9gy2ergen/openwindow.jpg

The adressbar is photoshopped i wish this could be made though.


also in replies try to edit out posted images and save , its annoying to see same image many times on a page just saying.

MOD WARNING: Please read the Forum Rules, especially Section 5 about forum images.
Those HUGE pictures are NOT allowed.

All of those things are possible with the idea that I have at classicshell forums.
With my idea , you can enable a custom address bar, and move it anywhere you'd like. You could have a windows 98 address bar even. Here's my thread: http://classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic ... 250#p23250
Support it on the thread if you'd like to see it implemented.

[Powerplayer]

now anybody can we convert this theme http://simplexdesignsart.deviantart.com ... 64235?hf=1 to win10?

[bugmn]

now anybody can we convert this theme http://simplexdesignsart.deviantart.com ... 64235?hf=1 to win10?

It's a good theme, but the only problem with this theme is that it isn't the true windows classic theme. It's whole lot closer to actually having the classic theme though. The caption ( minimize/maximize/close ) buttons are rectangular, and not the small square buttons that the classic theme has. It also doesn't have a gradient color ( one color to another )

Perhaps the theme could be made better with a static image that has the blue going to a light blue in the titlebar, and smaller buttons.
But porting it to windows 10 seems like a good idea.

Your link doesn't appear to work, here's a working link: http://simplexdesignsart.deviantart.com ... -517664235

[Splitwirez]

*sigh*
You folks do realize that you're basically suggesting that we just give Windows 10 a halloween costume instead of tearing off the second (Visual Style) skin to get at the (full functional) real Classic Theme instead, right?
That means we lose these features:
a) The absurd performance gain
b) The authenticity of the theme
c) Color scheme support (yes, you could make an application to recolor the VS according to a Classic color scheme, but that'd be hell to make, hell to use, and it'd still have all the other flaws in this list)
d) The general "feel" of the theme (IDK how to explain this one, so if you don't get it, you're probably out of luck)
e) The square caption buttons (DWM is a jerk, so we aren't getting those back)

Also if this message makes the thread implode, I'm sorry. My phone decided it wanted to display the page in text-only mode, so it's kinda...broken...

EDIT: TBH ID even K why I'm here anymore...this project has no practical use to me, and all I have to contribute is concept pieces and graphics resources...so... ._____.

Are we continuing with the "If Windows 10 Had Classic from the Get-Go" approach? Or is this going to try to beat the 9x transformation packs at their own game? Or are we going to do our own thing from here? 'cause if we have an open-sauce Windows Shell (NT4), why not go crazy with it?

[Powerplayer]

cause if we have an open-sauce Windows Shell (NT4), why not go crazy with it?

NT4 Classicshell hybrid is the best idea but many of us here are not good at coding and we have a few guys that are learning their ways around and we have not seen Ibmpad talking to us in ages.
The NT4/classicshell explorer is the best idea that could happen maybe a new login can bring a loginbox similar to win2000 and we finally can toast that dwm.exe for good.
Why not ask Ivo if he want to join the project? i mean we got lots of people who can add graphics and many other things moving it further with ibmpad and Ivo plus the rest of us helping out with graphics debugging and stuff could be a darn good idea.

[Splitwirez]

cause if we have an open-sauce Windows Shell (NT4), why not go crazy with it?

NT4 Classicshell hybrid is the best idea but many of us here are not good at coding and we have a few guys that are learning their ways around and we have not seen Ibmpad talking to us in ages.
The NT4/classicshell explorer is the best idea that could happen maybe a new login can bring a loginbox similar to win2000 and we finally can toast that dwm.exe for good.
Why not ask Ivo if he want to join the project? i mean we got lots of people who can add graphics and many other things moving it further with ibmpad and Ivo plus the rest of us helping out with graphics debugging and stuff could be a darn good idea.

Wait, what? Okay, I was under the impression that IbmPad had left the project...is that incorrect? .-.

Also why would you want to get rid of DWM?? The Window Preview Thumbnails, Aero Peek, and GPU-rendered everything are the best thing since sliced bread IMO, so I think the idea of having a DWM-enabled Classic Theme is awesome (atleast IMO) .___________.

[Anixx]

Sorry for the long delay. I have fixed minor bugs (title bars) in w8classic and added windows.nt.win32's icon.

@Anixx: here is a quick & dirty DLL that should set the WS_EX_CLIENTEDGE style to shell windows.

Can you please share your method? How did you do this? I think for users like windows.nt.win32 who uses the navigation tree it would be the only reliable method.

Also, is it possible to use this method to

* Destroy the address bar object (similarly to how it is being done by the sending the mesasage during runtime by the AHK script but instantly at the object load)

* Make the "medium icons" 32px-sized with labels to the right of them?

Both me and windows.nt.win32 are seeking ways to do this because it makes the appearance more classic.

[Anixx]

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).

What about Win8 Explorer under Win10? It works nearly in Win95 style on my PC unde Win8.

[Splitwirez]

Did another concept image: [THIS IS A L0NK]. (Can't embed, too big, admin warnings or whatever ._. )

[windows.nt.win32]

I just realized that I'm not sure that Windows NT 4.0's shell even supports toolbars/shell extensions. If not, that would have to be implemented somehow. But I still think that would be our best bet since the source code is available.

I'm not sure if IBMPad has completely left this project necessarily, but it seems like he's just too busy to be totally involved.

What about Win8 Explorer under Win10? It works nearly in Win95 style on my PC unde Win8.

Tried that, it didn't work.

[Splitwirez]

I just realized that I'm not sure that Windows NT 4.0's shell even supports toolbars/shell extensions. If not, that would have to be implemented somehow. But I still think that would be our best bet since the source code is available.

I'm not sure if IBMPad has completely left this project necessarily, but it seems like he's just too busy to be totally involved.

What about Win8 Explorer under Win10? It works nearly in Win95 style on my PC unde Win8.

Tried that, it didn't work.

Indeed, that one completely refuses to Taskbar at all, whatsoever .-.

*ahem*

[THIS IS A L0NK PLEASE CLICK IT]

[windows.nt.win32]

[THIS IS A L0NK PLEASE CLICK IT]

Cool design there. I'm personally not too huge on the ribbon UI, but it does look nice. I like it a lot better than Microsoft's ribbon UI, tbh (this is much more space-friendly). I'm all for customization options, so that could possibly be implemented as a setting users can choose.

[Splitwirez]

[THIS IS A L0NK PLEASE CLICK IT]

Cool design there. I'm personally not too huge on the ribbon UI, but it does look nice. I like it a lot better than Microsoft's ribbon UI, tbh (this is much more space-friendly). I'm all for customization options, so that could possibly be implemented as a setting users can choose.

REALLY??? DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD *head explodes*



k...um...now I'll just make a non-ribbon version ^-^

EDIT: [ribbon-deprived concept here]

[bugmn]

Cool design there. I'm personally not too huge on the ribbon UI, but it does look nice. I like it a lot better than Microsoft's ribbon UI, tbh (this is much more space-friendly). I'm all for customization options, so that could possibly be implemented as a setting users can choose.

REALLY??? DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD *head explodes*



k...um...now I'll just make a non-ribbon version ^-^

EDIT: [ribbon-deprived concept here]

Splitwirez, your concept image is possible with my idea at classicshell forums. The thread is here: http://classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic ... 250#p23250 Please support the thread if you'd like to see it implemented. If it gets enough votes on it, Ivo might consider adding it to classic shell.

I was thinking, what about making a program that loads every time you open a folder, and draws over it? Similar to what avast 4.8 does, cd deluxe, firefox skins & winamp skins do.

CD Deluxe:

http://i64.tinypic.com/14cb1as.jpg

Avast 4.7: ( the way avast should stayed looking )

http://i68.tinypic.com/2lnwg9j.png

WinAmp:
http://i66.tinypic.com/r0qzno.jpg

Firefox Delorean Theme:
http://i65.tinypic.com/dwv2mh.png

I think windows blinds does this, but if we were to create our own program, we could make it free, and opensource too instead of having to pay for software to get the classic theme.

MOD WARNING: Please read the Forum Rules, especially Section 5 about forum images.
If you do not follow those rules, next time your images will be DELETED, capisce?

[windows.nt.win32]

Isn't that also kind of what Windows visual styles do?
The only place I really see something like this being practical to make is the Windows 10 taskbar. Keep in mind that creating a fully-fledged alternative to WindowsBlinds would take a lot of time and effort just to get it to work well, and the classic theme we have now is already pretty functional. So I think it would be much easier to just improve on the stuff we already have now.

By the way, I believe I will finally be taking a computer science course for my next college semester, so I may be able to help with some very limited programming in the future.

[Splitwirez]

-snip-

Splitwirez, your concept image is possible with my idea at classicshell forums. The thread is here: http://classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic ... 250#p23250 Please support the thread if you'd like to see it implemented. If it gets enough votes on it, Ivo might consider adding it to classic shell.

I was thinking, what about making a program that loads every time you open a folder, and draws over it? Similar to what avast 4.8 does, cd deluxe, firefox skins & winamp skins do.

CD Deluxe:

-snip-

Avast 4.7: ( the way avast should stayed looking )

-snip-

WinAmp:

-snip-

Firefox Delorean Theme:

-snip-

I think windows blinds does this, but if we were to create our own program, we could make it free, and opensource too instead of having to pay for software to get the classic theme.

Um, okay...you do realize you're completely insane, correct? ._____.

Also, how would that turn my concepts into realities?

(And does it work with Visual Styles? Forgive me for swimming upstream, but I kinda like Visual Styles, too... ._. )

-snip-

Isn't that also kind of what Windows visual styles do?
The only place I really see something like this being practical to make is the Windows 10 taskbar. Keep in mind that creating a fully-fledged alternative to WindowsBlinds would take a lot of time and effort just to get it to work well, and the classic theme we have now is already pretty functional. So I think it would be much easier to just improve on the stuff we already have now.

By the way, I believe I will finally be taking a computer science course for my next college semester, so I may be able to help with some very limited programming in the future.

o


O

O

:O

[Splitwirez]

Ignore this post, IDK how it even got there .-.

[RealBlackStuff]

@ Splitwirez
@ windows.nt.win32

There is absolutely NO NEED to keep QUOTING every post, thus wasting a lot of unnecessary and irrelevant space!

Instead, use the postreply button on the left under the last post.

And also for the both of you:
MOD WARNING: Please read the Forum Rules, especially Section 5 about forum images!

[Splitwirez]

-snip-

k sorry

...are snips allowed? ._.

Also I thought the FAQ was the rules for some reason. Woops. This is one of those moments when I haven't a clue why I'm a moderator on another board.

[RealBlackStuff]

If you want to quote, only quote the specific line or paragraph (without pictures) that you want to answer to or comment on.

Nothing against (properly applied) -snips-.
But the above -snip- you made is meaningless, since it does not indicate what you snipped or from which post...

For those of you who wonder: These are the RULES of this ROAD - READ ME NOW

[bugmn]

Splitwirez, and why am I insane? Are you just trolling me? Did you even read my entire post at classicshell forums? Did you even understand it? Is that why I am insane? Because you dont understand it?
Im just trying to figure out what made you say that?

What makes your design possible is the ability to have a custom address bar. The address bar that you have is possible with my idea. All of the buttons that you have are also possible. You can place images / objects anywhere you'd like on an explorer window with my idea too, which includes having buttons beside the ribbon. The only things not possible are the navigation pane that has desktop, downloads etc.

If my idea at classicshell isnt enough for you, you could always create your own thread for your idea. Ivo might consider adding it.

Also, does which work with visual styles?