How to Change Windows XP Theme
-
Is there any way to programatically change a theme on Windows XP??? I'm talking about a system-wide change, like what can be done in "Display Properties > Themes". After spending hours on this, I've come to the conclusion that Microsoft has not documented any of the information required for 3rd party developers to do this. Is that correct??? If so, that seems crazy. Why is Microsoft the only one with access to such an obvious feature in Windows? After all -- it's a part of the Desktop Properties dialog and there are ways to change everything else (wallpaper, screen savers, desktop icons, etc). How can there be no way to automatically change a theme? The closest I could come is manually updating the registry, and then logging off and back on. However that is not acceptable, unless there is some way to make the Windows desktop completely refresh itself (thus reload the Theme) without requiring a logoff. ??? I also tried playing with virtual desktops, manually broadcasting WM_THEMECHANGING, and even took a look at all of the text and function names in desk.cpl to see if I could get a clue as to what it is doing -- but didn't get anywhere. Does anyone have any ideas at all???
-
Is there any way to programatically change a theme on Windows XP??? I'm talking about a system-wide change, like what can be done in "Display Properties > Themes". After spending hours on this, I've come to the conclusion that Microsoft has not documented any of the information required for 3rd party developers to do this. Is that correct??? If so, that seems crazy. Why is Microsoft the only one with access to such an obvious feature in Windows? After all -- it's a part of the Desktop Properties dialog and there are ways to change everything else (wallpaper, screen savers, desktop icons, etc). How can there be no way to automatically change a theme? The closest I could come is manually updating the registry, and then logging off and back on. However that is not acceptable, unless there is some way to make the Windows desktop completely refresh itself (thus reload the Theme) without requiring a logoff. ??? I also tried playing with virtual desktops, manually broadcasting WM_THEMECHANGING, and even took a look at all of the text and function names in desk.cpl to see if I could get a clue as to what it is doing -- but didn't get anywhere. Does anyone have any ideas at all???
Larry Antram wrote: Is there any way to programatically change a theme on Windows XP??? I certainly hope not! I sure as hell don't want some random program deciding to change my theme just because whatever dimwit wrote it thinks he knows better than me what colors I like. But on a more serious note, any time programmatic access is given to user-controlled areas, idiot companies/people abuse it. Top of the Start menu - abused. Quick launch toolbar - spammed with icons (*coughNetscapecough*). Desktop - more unwanted icons put there. IE favorites folder - junk shows up there. You know the pinned apps list on the XP Start menu? Notice how there's no programmatic access to that list. That was done on purpose so that nothing can override what the user wants to show up there. --Mike-- Ericahist [updated Oct 26] | CP SearchBar v2.0.2 | Homepage | RightClick-Encrypt | 1ClickPicGrabber "Linux is good. It can do no wrong. It is open source so must be right. It has penguins. I want to eat your brain." -- Paul Watson, Linux Zombie
-
Larry Antram wrote: Is there any way to programatically change a theme on Windows XP??? I certainly hope not! I sure as hell don't want some random program deciding to change my theme just because whatever dimwit wrote it thinks he knows better than me what colors I like. But on a more serious note, any time programmatic access is given to user-controlled areas, idiot companies/people abuse it. Top of the Start menu - abused. Quick launch toolbar - spammed with icons (*coughNetscapecough*). Desktop - more unwanted icons put there. IE favorites folder - junk shows up there. You know the pinned apps list on the XP Start menu? Notice how there's no programmatic access to that list. That was done on purpose so that nothing can override what the user wants to show up there. --Mike-- Ericahist [updated Oct 26] | CP SearchBar v2.0.2 | Homepage | RightClick-Encrypt | 1ClickPicGrabber "Linux is good. It can do no wrong. It is open source so must be right. It has penguins. I want to eat your brain." -- Paul Watson, Linux Zombie
Michael Dunn wrote: I certainly hope not! I sure as hell don't want some random program deciding to change my theme just because whatever dimwit wrote it thinks he knows better than me what colors I like. I'm not suggesting that. I just want to create a tool that makes it easier for the user to view and switch between themes. A better mousetrap. Unfortunately, it appears Microsoft has added a major feature to Windows XP and intentionally kept the API undocumented -- except for its own use. That sounds suspiciously like the behavior that got them in trouble before. They never learn. I'll figure it out one way or another.