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  1. #1
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    Aug 2010
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    Exclamation Changing the theme of the Operating System

    Hello Folks,

    I need to change the theme of the Windows Operating System on which the application will run. I have to use the files with .theme extension. Can anyone guide how to do this, so I can finish my application.

    Thanks in advance.

    Regards

  2. #2
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    Re: Changing the theme of the Operating System

    Is your problem that you have a .msstyles file, but need it to be a theme file?

    You can create a theme file with the OS itself.
    First enable the msstyles file to display the theme.
    Then right click desktop(properties), and use the Save As button, to save your current theme as .theme, instead of .msstyles
    Last edited by TT(n); August 11th, 2010 at 06:51 PM.

  3. #3
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    Question Re: Changing the theme of the Operating System

    No, actually Ive already read the article about using .msstyles file but I want to use the .theme files as well in my project. Is there any way to change the theme of the operating system using .theme file in VB .Net project?

  4. #4
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    Re: Changing the theme of the Operating System

    I thought TT mentioned that already. NO
    David

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  5. #5
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    Re: Changing the theme of the Operating System

    Sorry.. might be a little redundant
    Thanks for your patience.
    Is there no way, we can use the .theme file in VB .Net project? Neither any APIs nor any references?

  6. #6
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    Re: Changing the theme of the Operating System

    I don't think so. Besides, it only would work with one OS or another
    David

    CodeGuru Article: Bound Controls are Evil-VB6
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  7. #7
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    Re: Changing the theme of the Operating System

    Thank you for your help sir and your patience as well

  8. #8
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    Re: Changing the theme of the Operating System

    Vista and Win 7 use different theme files than xp.
    There may be some obscure way to do it, I don't think so.

    You can probably use the ShellExecute API or Process component, and then set the dialog for new theme, manually or through automation with a couple clicks.

    I took a look at SetWindowTheme API, which applies only to the application I believe, and allows you to show an app with a specific themed style, but that doesn't help you. Sorry


    EDIT: .theme files can be opened and read with notepad(or FileOpen etc)
    XP Path: C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes
    You could use this information, to modify the different OS settings to match the theme.
    Last edited by TT(n); August 12th, 2010 at 03:54 PM.

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