Combining UxStyle Core with Windowblinds

Trying to get Win 7/8 msstyles to work with Windowblinds

Published on June 29, 2013 By MrSwiveller In WindowBlinds

Has anyone on this forum attempted to combine the UxStyle Core kernel patching programme with Windowblinds? If so, what were the results?

I would like unsigned .msstyle files to show up in the Windowblinds 8 menu and, more importantly, to be able to apply them without losing the ability to switch to wba skins. Should you wonder why: I like the Win7 skin made by xxinightxx, yet it is available as an msstyle skin only. As Skinstudio cannot convert post-WinXP msstyle files, I am currently looking for other options.

Thanks - Swiveller

EDIT

Well, I bit the bullet and installed UxStyle Core. It mostly works! If you select the right theme through the Windows 8 personalisation menu, choosing the 'default' theme in Windowblinds will load that interface for you, rather than the theme that comes preinstalled with Win8. There are a few bits that won't load properly, though, such as the 'expand system tray' button. Will carry out a few more experiments.

Comments

LightStar

on Jun 29, 2013

Not good to mix the two I've heard, you'll only end up with problems in the long run.

DrJBHL

on Jun 29, 2013

The two do not mix. Also, Ux/msstyles alters Windows system files. Since this is a Stardock site, and Stardock is a Gold Certified MS partner, we long ago stopped talking about msstyles.

If you wish Windowblinds to run correctly (after uninstalling msstyles), you will have to repair your default Windows files:

Run the cmd.exe as Administrator and after the prompt, type sfc /scannow .

You will see after it completes running that it repaired the corrupted files. You can then use Windowblinds without msstyles induced problems.

W8 might actually prevent system file corruption/alteration by msstyles.

RedneckDude

on Jun 29, 2013

MrSwiveller, the UxStyle Core kernel patching programme is bad news for your system on it's own. I recommend not going there and just use WindowBlinds.

The guys above know what they're talking about.

MrSwiveller

on Jun 29, 2013

Thank you for your replies.

My experiences so far indicate that the two are, in fact, compatible. An msstyle skin loaded through the standard Windows interface will be recognised by Windowblinds as the default theme. A reboot fixed the problems I initially had with some elements of the msstyle skin not loading (I did have to reapply it - apparently Windows forgot about my preference).

@ DrJBHL - to my knowledge UxStyle Core does not permanently alter any files - the changes are made in your system's RAM memory rather than on the hard drive.

RedneckDude

on Jun 29, 2013

https://www.google.com/search?site=&source=hp&q=problems+with+UxTheme.dll&oq=problems+with+UxTheme.dll&gs_l=hp.13..0i22i30.1671.10255.0.12913.25.19.0.6.6.0.150.1858.13j6.19.0...0.0...1c.1.18.hp.x3K5pRYAgGU

MrSwiveller

on Jun 29, 2013

I know about the trouble that can arise from UxTheme corruption - but I used UxStyle on my Win8 machine until Windowblinds 8 came out, and I never had any problems.

Some of those links lead to people who replaced the actual dll file, something that UxStyle doesn't do.

If a Windowblinds version of xxinightxx's take on the Win7 interface for Win8 comes out, I will very likely uninstall UxStyle, though, as I try to minimise the number of services running in the background.

Cheers - Swiveller

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