Any apps to enable more color customization for Windows 7 interface? part 1

TsunamiZ

Windows 7's default UI customization feature set is lacking and incomplete. Any apps that can solve this?

Personally, I would be interested in an app for Windows 7 that will allow changing the "glow" color around the text of windows' titles. Because I use a dark theme and the current unchangeable white glow clashes with my dark theme. I would like to be able to set that glow to black and my windows� title text to white.

Additionally, there is a permanent light blue tinting on a lot of the Windows 7 UI. I would prefer to set that to gray so it can fit universally with any color theme. Or better, be able to adjust the color of the tinting.

And then there is the green progress bar--I personally would prefer to be able to set that to a blue. Or better, be able to set that to any color.

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

Windows 7's default UI customization feature set is lacking and incomplete. Any apps that can solve this?

Personally, I would be interested in an app for Windows 7 that will allow changing the "glow" color around the text of windows' titles. Because I use a dark theme and the current unchangeable white glow clashes with my dark theme. I would like to be able to set that glow to black and my windows� title text to white.

Additionally, there is a permanent light blue tinting on a lot of the Windows 7 UI. I would prefer to set that to gray so it can fit universally with any color theme. Or better, be able to adjust the color of the tinting.

And then there is the green progress bar--I personally would prefer to be able to set that to a blue. Or better, be able to set that to any color.

Most if not all of it is in the aero.msstyle in C/Windows/Resources/Themes/Aero & needs edited with Ave's Windows7 Style Builder or Restorator - Bome Software - Restorator - the resource editor for customization, localization, and translation.
If you are using the default aero theme I can change that for you.
If you are using a custom theme you will need to ask the theme maker. It's not cool to change someone else work.
&
You will need to do 1 of these 2 ways of Enabling custom themes for it to work.
Enabling Custom Themes - Windows 7
Or
Theme - How to Apply Custom Themes

I have done some of that for others see here How do i remove the windows title text "bloom" effect in Windows 7?
Let me know if I can help.
Jerry

Bongo

Look at this Blue progressbars in Windows 7 for the progress bar

TsunamiZ

thanks for the info. i simply use the default windows 7 aero style. can you make those listed changes for it?

btw: the blue progress bar mod that you linked to says it is for windows 7 beta and doesn't work for final version of windows 7.

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

thanks for the info. i simply use the default windows 7 aero style. can you make those listed changes for it?

Yes I can I will remove the white glow and make the text white and I will make the progressive bar blue.
Will you take some screenshots of the light blue you are talking about and post them that way we are clear on what you are talking about.
Screenshot with Paint
Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums
Snipping tool
Jerry

TsunamiZ

here are examples of lots of permanent blue in the toolbars, etc. would prefer them to be desaturated to be gray. btw, can you make the blue progress bars match the blue in windows explorer drive bars in the screenshot?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

here are examples of lots of permanent blue in the toolbars, etc. would prefer them to be desaturated to be gray. btw, can you make the blue progress bars match the blue in windows explorer drive bars in the screenshot?

What I have in red can be changed with no problem.
What I have in blue can be changed but it is a system file and I do not change them.

Yes the progressive bar will be the same blue.
Is this to dark of gray?

Jerry

TsunamiZ

ok then change the red parts, but you can leave the active column highlight as blue.

for gray, can you leave it the same lightness but just desaturate it to remove the color?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

ok then change the red parts, but you can leave the active column highlight as blue.

for gray, can you leave it the same lightness but just desaturate it to remove the color?

OK I will work on it this afternoon and try to finish it up in the morning.
Check back in the a.m.
Jerry

Bongo

How does this look?
Jerry

New

Old

TsunamiZ

that gray looks good...will you also be able to change the color of the details pane below?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

that gray looks good...will you also be able to change the color of the details pane below?

Yes will do
Jerry

Bongo

OK try this. Extract the zip folder at the bottom of this post & open the folder then
Put the 2 (in screenshot) in
C/Windows/Resources/Themes

Will look something like this in C/Windows/Resources/Themes

Will show up in Personalization as TsunamiZ


If it needs something let me know.
Make sure you did 1 of these 2 ways of Enabling custom themes for it to work.
Enabling Custom Themes - Windows 7
Or
Theme - How to Apply Custom Themes

Jerry

TsunamiZ

thanks! ill try it out.

btw, your theme in the screenshot looks really cool. i'm into dark themes. can i try out that one too?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

thanks! ill try it out.

btw, your theme in the screenshot looks really cool. i'm into dark themes. can i try out that one too?

Here you go charleston2378's deviantART gallery it's a great dark theme.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

i just tried out your tsunamiz theme and it looks great so far! may i request a few tweaks...

- progress bar animation's flashing part is still green. can you make it blue too?

- set no wallpaper and black desktop color
- set window color setting to like below...


- set selected item highlight color to the blue like below [example and where to set it]...



- when windows are maximized, the title text color doesn't stay white. so when using a black window color, the black text isn't visible. can you fix it by making the title text stay white?

Bongo

Quote:

progress bar animation's flashing part is still green

Can you tell where this is or a screenshot would be better.

Quote:

set selected item highlight color to the blue like below

Post a screenshot where this text is at.

Quote:

set no wallpaper and black desktop color
- set window color setting to like below

You can set that yourself & save the theme cant you?

Quote:

when windows are maximized, the title text color doesn't stay white. so when using a black window color, the black text isn't visible. can you fix it by making the title text stay white

Yes
Jerry

TsunamiZ

btw, i also tried that Tavaris theme you linked to, but i won't be using that. some parts lacked contrast and was hard to read plus i didn't like the green text. so i'll look forward to your tweaks on the tsunamiz theme.

TsunamiZ

ok i updated that tweak post with more screenshots

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

ok i updated that tweak post with more screenshots

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

btw, i also tried that Tavaris theme you linked to, but i won't be using that. some parts lacked contrast and was hard to read plus i didn't like the green text. so i'll look forward to your tweaks on the tsunamiz theme.

That's why I bought WSB to tweak custom themes to my liking.
Jerry

Bongo

Here you go see if is OK
I can make that highlight darker if needed.
Let me know if is OK. New name TsunamiZ2
Jerry

TsunamiZ

it's almost there, but may i request 2 tweaks...

- the item highlight color in the latest version you sent had its RGB values a bit off. as shown below, can you set the item highlight color to specifically: RGB = 0 , 128 , 192


- the flashing part on the progress bar doesn't look good. currently, it looks like a dark shadow with the middle cut out...


...can you keep the original flashing graphic but simply adjust the hue of it like this comparison below? the example tweak screenshot was done in photoshop with a layer of solid color RGB = 109 , 224 , 247 over the screenshot. then i set the layer mode to "hue" to colorize the screenshot below. can you make this tweak to the flashing graphic to look like the example?

[original]


[example tweak]

Bongo

I will give it a shot. Check back in about 1 hour.
If yo have photoshop see if you can change this.
Jerry

Bongo

Try this 1
Jerry

TsunamiZ

hmm that graphic is strange. i think the grayish parts are supposed to be transparent. perhaps the program exported that image incorrectly or misinterpreted the transparency info?

if there is no way to fix it, i might be able to remake a similar graphic with proper transparency. can you upload both the original graphic for the blue and green progress bar to use? [for the progress bar background--not hightlight]

TsunamiZ

i tried version3 and still looks odd. can you upload both the original graphic for the blue and green progress bar to use? [for the progress bar background--not hightlight]

Bongo

Here is the background Note: save as .png

Overlay

What it looks like in gimp

Jerry

TsunamiZ

ok here is a custom remade highlight graphic with proper transparency. it was carefully made to match the original in the important specs. i tested this over the background so it should look good...


when you update the theme, can you test the animation on your system to make sure the highlight is lined up properly with the background? in the last versions, it wasn't lined up properly but i forgot to mention it. [it didn't line up properly at the top.]

Bongo

Here you go try it & let me know
Jerry

TsunamiZ

the progress bar flashing part is still not working out. can you just restore the default green flash and background? i guess i'll just settle with default green progress bars, since this issue seems to be too much of a hassle. will likely have to do some extra research in the future to get it right. i'm still pretty happy about the rest of the changes so can you just upload a default bars version?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

the progress bar flashing part is still not working out. can you just restore the default green flash and background? i guess i'll just settle with default green progress bars, since this issue seems to be too much of a hassle. will likely have to do some extra research in the future to get it right. i'm still pretty happy about the rest of the changes so can you just upload a default bars version?

I am sorry it's not working right, them can be a pain.
Give me a few & I will do that
Jerry

TsunamiZ

btw, i found this...

Want to have Blue progressbars in Windows 7? .Look no further

maybe later i'll ask him to explain how he got it to work. although he made a slightly different looking blue bar than the system default blue bar.

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

btw, i found this...

Want to have Blue progressbars in Windows 7? .Look no further

maybe later i'll ask him to explain how he got it to work. although he made a slightly different looking blue bar than the system default blue bar.

I looked at this & it has you replace the aero.msstyle
& that will remove all that has been done here.

Here try this It should be back to green.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

looks great but can you revert the taskbar's progress bar back to default green too?

TsunamiZ

btw, can you also integrate these 2 tweaks? it's for convenience when switching between themes. so i don't have to manually set it again everytime i switch back to this theme.

- set no wallpaper and black desktop color
- set window color setting to like below...

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

looks great but can you revert the taskbar's progress bar back to default green too?

Yes I forgot about that
Give me a few.

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

btw, can you also integrate these 2 tweaks? it's for convenience when switching between themes. so i don't have to manually set it again everytime i switch back to this theme.

- set no wallpaper and black desktop color
- set window color setting to like below...

I will try
Jerry

TsunamiZ

the color boxes doesn't matter because those are just presets. but i usually click on the white at the end to start.

Bongo

Try this let my know
Jerry

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

the color boxes doesn't matter because those are just presets. but i usually click on the white at the end to start.

Yea I got it.

TsunamiZ

a lot of things got lost in this version [i'm guessing you started over from scratch to fix the issues]. can you reapply those changes? here is a quick list again...

- remove glow around title text
- make title text white, even when maximized
- desaturate blue tinting to gray
- can you set the item highlight color to specifically: RGB = 0 , 128 , 192

Bongo

No I did not start a new 1 I worked some 1. Here I did a overlay of #6 over default aero no blue on overlay

Did you remove 1 - 5 if not do that, change to Windows7 theme logoff logon & try 6 again
Let me know if still mess up I will start a new 1 no big deal.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

yes i removed the old before applying the new one. same procedure i've been using to test these but have the problem. even tried switching to windows 7 theme and back. does it have the same problem on your system? can you fix it?

Bongo

Try this it's a new start, I think I mess up the last zip
Let me know
Jerry

TsunamiZ

now it doesn't show aero at all. it's classic gray win98 style. can you fix it?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

now it doesn't show aero at all. it's classic gray win98 style. can you fix it?

Which 1 did you use the UxStyle Core Beta or Universal Theme Patcher?
Jerry

TsunamiZ

i used the UxStyle. but does that matter? it was working fine 2 versions of the skin ago.

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

i used the UxStyle. but does that matter? it was working fine 2 versions of the skin ago.

It OK
Try this go to Personalization & switch to Windows 7 theme.

Then in the Start Menu search box put in Services Then click on it

The Services window will open look for Unsigned Themes on the right side, then hit the Stop text on the left, you will see a window open show it stopping & it will close it's self.

Then hit the Start text & a window open show it starting & it will close it's self.

Close services then try the theme I made.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

thanks that fixed it. does it mean i have to reinstall uxstyle? or is it permanently fixed now?

the skin is looking great, but just needs 1 more tweak
- can you set the item highlight color to specifically: RGB = 0 , 128 , 192

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

thanks that fixed it. does it mean i have to reinstall uxstyle? or is it permanently fixed now?

the skin is looking great, but just needs 1 more tweak
- can you set the item highlight color to specifically: RGB = 0 , 128 , 192

Yes uxstyle is OK I have had to do that a couple of times, I will set that color I forgot. Be back in a few.
Jerry

Bongo

Here you go give it a try
Remember to services thing it may happen again.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

thanks it looks great! can you rename the theme to: Black

and i think that will be it.

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

thanks it looks great! can you rename the theme to: Black

and i think that will be it.

OK give me about 1/2 hour
Jerry

Bongo

Here is Black
I know you like dark here is a link to a program that will change the Navigation Buttons on step #4 there is a link to some buttons there is a nice set of black 1s
Windows 7 Navigation Buttons Customizer: Change Windows 7 Navigation Buttons Easily | door2windows
Jerry

TsunamiZ

cool, thanks for the tip. but i'll probably stick with the default buttons for now.

i have been curious about the WSB program before, but i wasn't sure what its limitations were. it might be something i would consider buying in the future--but i would want to be aware of its limitations before deciding.

so i'm curious, were you able to do all the changes on this skin with WSB [aside from graphics editing]? or did you have to do some manual "hacking" for some of these edits? was making the title text stay white when maximized doable from WSB, too?

Bongo

I did all the modifications with WSB there is a little bit of a learning curve and WSB has its own forum with location maps and so very knowledgeable people VistaStyleBuilder - Index but to see the maps and much purchase WSB in the purchase information will allow you to sign up. Some of the limitations are there is some black text in some drop down menus in Windows Explorer see screenshots that cannot be changed there is also some black text in some property windows see screenshots. There are some areas in the control panel and the clock that are in system files see screenshots they cannot be changed with WSB. I also included some screen shots of WSB that show you where I changed that text at in a couple of those screen shots it shows images that can be edited and then some areas like the left side of Windows Explorer is a fill color the right side is a fill color to.
So there is a lot you can do with it some is image editing some is fill color you can change text colors text fonts in places and even add text colors in some areas and other properties that I have not even begun to check out.
If you load up that dark theme that I posted the link to you can see what can and cannot be changed by comparing it to Aero.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

can WSB changes the parts that are in a system file?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

can WSB changes the parts that are in a system file?

No
Jerry

TsunamiZ

thanks for the info. do you know if anyone on the WSB forums knows a solution to the progress bar editing?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

thanks for the info. do you know if anyone on the WSB forums knows a solution to the progress bar editing?

I'm sure there is.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

hi bongo, i've been using the skin and it's been great! but i found a couple of things that i didn't notice before. can you fix these?

- in some windows within programs, there is no aero. so these windows are blue tinted. can you desaturate them to be gray? the parts are pointed at in the screenshot below. and only the normal state of the window buttons need to be grayed [not the hover state].


- can you gray out the blue tinted bottom of the system tray menu?


- can you gray out these blue tinted window buttons?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

hi bongo, i've been using the skin and it's been great! but i found a couple of things that i didn't notice before. can you fix these?

- in some windows within programs, there is no aero. so these windows are blue tinted. can you desaturate them to be gray? the parts are pointed at in the screenshot below. and only the normal state of the window buttons need to be grayed [not the hover state].


- can you gray out the blue tinted bottom of the system tray menu?


- can you gray out these blue tinted window buttons?

Will check it out on monday
Jerry

Bongo

OK try this
But just replace the Black.msstyles in C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Black folder

with the one in the zip folder.

I do not have a program that does not use aero so try it I think I got it. As for the buttons they take on the background color so they should change.

Let me know.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

- look great, but can you restore the dark blue hover state of the min/max buttons? only need to do this for the hover state--not the normal state.

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

- look great, but can you restore the dark blue hover state of the min/max buttons? only need to do this for the hover state--not the normal state.

Can you tell me what program that is so I can try it?
Jerry

TsunamiZ

it's icofx portable. you can download it below. the portable version will ask you where to "install" it, but it's simply extracting it to a folder. you can delete the folder to remove it. it won't leave anything on your system.

info...
IcoFX - The Free Icon Editor

download portable...
IcoFX Portable | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

it's icofx portable. you can download it below. the portable version will ask you where to "install" it, but it's simply extracting it to a folder. you can delete the folder to remove it. it won't leave anything on your system.

info...
IcoFX - The Free Icon Editor

download portable...
IcoFX Portable | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives

Let me mess with it then I will be back.
Jerry

Bongo

OK I think I got it
Just replace the Black.msstyles as you did before.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

looks great, thanks again

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

looks great, thanks again

Your Welcome
Jerry

TsunamiZ

hey bongo, i'm still using this skin and it's great. but i found one more issue. for windows that don't use aero [like in this screenshot from icofx portable], the inactive windows' close button is blue. can you desaturate the blue close button to gray?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

hey bongo, i'm still using this skin and it's great. but i found one more issue. for windows that don't use aero [like in this screenshot from icofx portable], the inactive windows' close button is blue. can you desaturate the blue close button to gray?

Here you go just change the .msstyles like before.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

thanks again!

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

thanks again!

You're Welcome again!
Jerry

TsunamiZ

hey bongo, i'm still using this skin and it's great. but i found one more issue...

- when not in aero mode, the maximize/restore button remains blue [when disabled--such as for non-resizable windows like installers]. can you fix this by desaturating it?

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

hey bongo, i'm still using this skin and it's great. but i found one more issue...

- when not in aero mode, the maximize/restore button remains blue [when disabled--such as for non-resizable windows like installers]. can you fix this by desaturating it?

What is "when not in aero mode" ?

Can you post a screenshot.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

such as when in basic mode without the transparency. the skin is light blue in this mode. like in this pic...

Bongo

You want the blue desaturated from them 2 buttons right, is that all?
Jerry

TsunamiZ

currently, the problem is only the maximize/restore button is blue. the minimize button is already desaturated so it's fine. this is only visible in certain windows that have their size locked--not normal windows. so it's on the locked state of the maximize/restore button.

so basically, there is still a blue version of the maximize/restore button. if you can find it and desaturate it, then it should fix the problem.

Bongo

You will have to take a screenshot of that certain window so I can try to reproduce it.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

problem looks like this

Bongo

How do you get to that basic mode?

Are you using the Black theme I made and then unchecking the enable transparency box or are you going down and using the Windows 7 Basic theme?

Is that screenshot you provided just a normal Explorer Window? I am having a hard time replicating that.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

i was hoping you can just search the image files used in the visual style. if you find a light blue max/restore button, then desaturate it.

to reproduce the problem takes some more work. i noticed it when i uninstalled my nvidia video driver [which turns windows into basic mode]. and then i ran the installer for the new nvidia video driver--and in the installer window is where i first noticed the problem.

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index5.aspx?lang=en-us

Bongo

I still need to know

Quote:

Are you using the Black theme I made and then unchecking the enable transparency box or are you going down and using the Windows 7 Basic theme?

Did you get Aero working after you install the drivers?
Are you in aero mode or basic mode?
Jerry

TsunamiZ

i'm in using your skin which is aero mode. but it's forced into basic mode when video driver uninstalled [but still using your skin in basic mode]. after reinstalling drivers, i'm back in aero mode.

this problem is only visible in basic mode.

Bongo

I think the problem is I only made it in aero download and extract the zip at the bottom of this post and put the Black.theme in C:\Windows\Resources\Ease of Access Themes Then it should show up in the bottom of Personalization by Windows 7 basic and Windows classic theme as Black.
Let me know if it helps
Jerry

TsunamiZ

theme is supposed to be aero, not basic. but just needs the that basic part of it fixed. the basic part of it is used on certain programs that don't support aero.

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

theme is supposed to be aero, not basic. but just needs the that basic part of it fixed. the basic part of it is used on certain programs that don't support aero.

Can you tell me which certain programs this is showing up in, I have looked at every button image and all the normal buttons are desaturated already.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

to reproduce the problem takes some more work. i noticed it when i uninstalled my nvidia video driver [which turns windows into basic mode]. and then i ran the installer for the new nvidia video driver--and in the installer window is where i first noticed the problem.

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index5.aspx?lang=en-us

Bongo

I am not going to uninstall my drivers and then install them again just to see that window. Is it just that driver install window or is there others.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

so far, i've only seen it in the driver. but it may show up again in other programs in the future. for example, icofx is a program that have windows that don't use aero.

i was hoping it was an easy fix but if it's hard to find then i'll wait until it shows up more.

Bongo

If it shows up just note what program it is and let me know.
Jerry

TsunamiZ

hey bongo, i'm still using this skin and it's great. but can you fix these blue windows icons and desaturate them to make them gray? these appear in xnview [browser mode] when the program isn't focused.

Bongo

I'll see what I can do and get back here later today.

Jerry

Bongo

Give this a try I think I got it.

Jerry

TsunamiZ

thank again bongo!

btw, did you ever figure out how to change the color of progress bars for windows 7?

TsunamiZ

also, on the taskbar, there is slight hint of the reflection effect. can you remove them?

[but don't change the "show desktop" button]

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

thank again bongo!

btw, did you ever figure out how to change the color of progress bars for windows 7?

Which progressive bar are you talking about the one for the hard drive or the one for like the copy window?

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

also, on the taskbar, there is slight hint of the reflection effect. can you remove them?

[but don't change the "show desktop" button]

Post a screenshot so I can see that reflection.

Jerry

TsunamiZ

i'm talking about the green progress bar. the one that's used for copy window, installations, transfers, etc.

----

the reflection, i have enhanced it in photoshop so you can see more clearly. can you remove it by filling the area with a pure black?

[note: this issue is hard to see unless you use a black wallpaper.]

Bongo

I can try to change the color of green progress bar they can be pretty tricky when it comes to the highlight when it moves across during activity, what color would you like.

Sometimes you get a bleedthrough of the previous theme(have you tried a reboot) on the taskbar, I tested it and did not get any reflections, but I can make the taskbar pure black, do you use the taskbar just on the bottom or all four positions each position has its own set of images.

Jerry

TsunamiZ

you're right about the reflection. it's gone now, after i switched to another skin and back.

-----

for the progress bar, we've tried to change it to blue before but ran into trouble. you can see our attempts with screenshots starting in page 1 of this topic. so i'm wondering if you've figured out how to do it yet?

here's one of the screenshots from page 1...

Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

you're right about the reflection. it's gone now, after i switched to another skin and back.

-----

for the progress bar, we've tried to change it to blue before but ran into trouble. you can see our attempts with screenshots starting in page 1 of this topic. so i'm wondering if you've figured out how to do it yet?

here's one of the screenshots from page 1...

Ya I just looked back and no I have not got it any better sorry.

Jerry

Bongo

[QUOTE=Bongo;1358415]

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

Windows 7's default UI customization feature set is lacking and incomplete. Any apps that can solve this?

Personally, I would be interested in an app for Windows 7 that will allow changing the "glow" color around the text of windows' titles. Because I use a dark theme and the current unchangeable white glow clashes with my dark theme. I would like to be able to set that glow to black and my windows� title text to white.

...

I have done some of that for others see here How do i remove the windows title text "bloom" effect in Windows 7?
Let me know if I can help.
Jerry

You say you can make the Win7 Aero theme look different. Let me explain my problem: like many folks, I am having problems with the new Win7 style for everything, by that I mean all the visual aspects of the PC, text, window colors, fonts, etc. My vision is not what it used to be, and I especially have problems with the "washed out" styles in everything (Windows and other 3rd party software) nowadays. Sometimes I cannot read what is on a screen at all, mainly due to the lack of contrast and the ultra-thin font styles used now (for example, I could not see anything on the default Win7 logon screen until I found an app that let me change it to a different darker blue background color -- whoever at MS that thought white text on a whitish background was "cool" for everybody in the world was a moron :=) ).

Much of the same applies to just about all the software nowadays. I have switched to the Aero theme, customized it via the Personilization tools to be at least somewhat legible for me. I have disabled all of the Win7 fancy visual effects etc. I have installed IE 10 and use my own CSS with that, but even there I sometimes cannot see the pages good, especially the pages/frames etc. that do not allow CSS adjeustments.

Many times the problem is that if, say, I change a style background from white to something like gray, then the text will not display at all on that page due to color problems or whatever.

A specific example of the visual problems: I use Acronis True Image as my backup software application. When I got my Win7 Pro machine, I upgraded from TI ver 11 to the latest Acronis TI ver 2013. Well, the style was so different that it wasas good as invisible to me, I could not even see the text on the screens due to the ultra-thin washed out colors and fonts. I had to go back to my ver 11 to be able to use it with my Win7 PC (which works fine, anyway, and is the versionI used with XP and no visual problems at all).

It is not that I need everything magnified. I can see fine when I use the default hi-contrast theme. But that theme does not work on 3rd party software most of the time. Nevertheless I use the HC theme most of the time I am on my PC, because it is easier for me to see, but of course it has its own limitations too.

I even bought the entire Stardock customization package, hoping to use the custom themes etc. to fix things, but it did not work at all for my needs. The custom themes out there are mostly just as bad for me as t5he native Win7 themes, and I would not even attempt to make my own cutom theme, it would be a disaster.

What I need is **native** WinXP Pro styles on everything, provided I can adjust that like I could on my ol;d XP Pro system using the built in WinXP customization for colors and text settings etc. So do you think you could design a true WinXP-stle theme that would work for me? If so, how much would that cost? I don't need anything other than what Windows XP itself had AFA icons, graphics, buttons, scroll bars, etc.

I really want a Win7 Pro system that looks and feels identiocal to how XP Pro looked. Is that possible? Or is there some app out there (not a custome theme thing, but just something that allows changing Win7 itself) that would resolve my problems so that I can actually enjoy using my PC again?


Pete Barnes

Guest

[QUOTE=pete barnes;2404353]

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Bongo

�� Quote: Originally Posted by TsunamiZ

Windows 7's default UI customization feature set is lacking and incomplete. Any apps that can solve this?

Personally, I would be interested in an app for Windows 7 that will allow changing the "glow" color around the text of windows' titles. Because I use a dark theme and the current unchangeable white glow clashes with my dark theme. I would like to be able to set that glow to black and my windows� title text to white.

...

I have done some of that for others see here How do i remove the windows title text "bloom" effect in Windows 7?
Let me know if I can help.
Jerry

You say you can make the Win7 Aero theme look different. Let me explain my problem: like many folks, I am having problems with the new Win7 style for everything, by that I mean all the visual aspects of the PC, text, window colors, fonts, etc. My vision is not what it used to be, and I especially have problems with the "washed out" styles in everything (Windows and other 3rd party software) nowadays. Sometimes I cannot read what is on a screen at all, mainly due to the lack of contrast and the ultra-thin font styles used now (for example, I could not see anything on the default Win7 logon screen until I found an app that let me change it to a different darker blue background color -- whoever at MS that thought white text on a whitish background was "cool" for everybody in the world was a moron :=) ).

Much of the same applies to just about all the software nowadays. I have switched to the Aero theme, customized it via the Personilization tools to be at least somewhat legible for me. I have disabled all of the Win7 fancy visual effects etc. I have installed IE 10 and use my own CSS with that, but even there I sometimes cannot see the pages good, especially the pages/frames etc. that do not allow CSS adjeustments.

Many times the problem is that if, say, I change a style background from white to something like gray, then the text will not display at all on that page due to color problems or whatever.

A specific example of the visual problems: I use Acronis True Image as my backup software application. When I got my Win7 Pro machine, I upgraded from TI ver 11 to the latest Acronis TI ver 2013. Well, the style was so different that it wasas good as invisible to me, I could not even see the text on the screens due to the ultra-thin washed out colors and fonts. I had to go back to my ver 11 to be able to use it with my Win7 PC (which works fine, anyway, and is the versionI used with XP and no visual problems at all).

It is not that I need everything magnified. I can see fine when I use the default hi-contrast theme. But that theme does not work on 3rd party software most of the time. Nevertheless I use the HC theme most of the time I am on my PC, because it is easier for me to see, but of course it has its own limitations too.

I even bought the entire Stardock customization package, hoping to use the custom themes etc. to fix things, but it did not work at all for my needs. The custom themes out there are mostly just as bad for me as t5he native Win7 themes, and I would not even attempt to make my own cutom theme, it would be a disaster.

What I need is **native** WinXP Pro styles on everything, provided I can adjust that like I could on my ol;d XP Pro system using the built in WinXP customization for colors and text settings etc. So do you think you could design a true WinXP-stle theme that would work for me? If so, how much would that cost? I don't need anything other than what Windows XP itself had AFA icons, graphics, buttons, scroll bars, etc.

I really want a Win7 Pro system that looks and feels identiocal to how XP Pro looked. Is that possible? Or is there some app out there (not a custome theme thing, but just something that allows changing Win7 itself) that would resolve my problems so that I can actually enjoy using my PC again?


Pete Barnes

Welcome to the Seven Forums Pete

As for making a visual style that looks like XP and be able to use the color controls is not possible as far as I know.

There are some XP themes (visual styles) that have been made and work on Windows 7 but they are just nothing but customized aero themes.

Like my personal favorite theme Tavaris by ~charleston2378 on deviantART is a very nice dark theme but as you've already stated there is some software that don't display correctly so I have to switch to the aero theme to use them.

I agree Microsoft did not think too much about visually impaired people when it came to their themes.

Sorry I'm not much of any help here.
Jerry

Guest

Thanks for the reply. I really didn't expect much, based on what I have read aboiut the limitations of ASero in Win7. If you should encounter any really good custom Aero theme that I can use for making Win7 look and work like WinXP, please let me know.

Pete Barnes