Desktop Customization

Deg™ · 08-29-2008, 04:06 AM

Alright, since i get a lot of positive feedback on my themes, I've just decided to make a quick tut here on what i did.

First, download and run UXTheme patcher. It should run on all Windows XP service packs; and is pretty straightforward. Follow it's instructions to enable third-party msstyle files.

Secondly, you'll need a dock. I prefer rocketdock, but any will do. I've uploaded some custom icons i found a while back that fit with my current black and white theme.

Once you've got your dock, simply load it with what you like, place it, and hide your desktop icons. This can be accomplished with a simple right click on your desktop, then go to 'arrange icons by' and uncheck "show desktop icons". This is completly reversible, and you can still access your desktop with windows explorer.

Now that you've got the basic mechanics, it's time for a bit of style. My personal taste is a simple black background with a white grapic in the open space. I prefer to use windows unmaximized so the edges of my desktop and the dock itself can be seen. I've uploaded a few sample backgrounds that i've made, feel free to use or edit them. They're set to 1440x900, but since they're base black, you can basically resize them to whatever size you use.

Previews:

You're probably wondering why i had you use that UXTheme patcher, well, now your computer should be able to accept new msstyle files for the taskbar and windows. Select one you like from a trusted source (Deviant Art has some nice ones), and double click the msstyle file in the unzipped folder directory, this will launch your display settings and should automatically preview the theme. Below is a very versatile set i found a while back that i haven't been able to find again since. It's called Milky2, and has several different color settings. It's pretty simplistic, but still straight forward.

By now, your desktop should be looking pretty snazzy. Go ahead and experiment with your own themes, and find out what works for you. This really helps you feel more at home with your machine, and is a great conversation starter. Things you can try customizing are your Taskbar, Dock Skin, Dock Icons, Wallpaper, Pointers, etc..

Included in the zip files below is everything i used to get my desktop to look how it does now.

Super · 08-29-2008, 04:10 AM

Yuck, get that les paul away from me.

+ rep for the milky2 theme

24k · 08-29-2008, 04:12 AM

Cool stuff. For some reason I'm when it comes to my Desktop I simply go with the classic '98 look. I might give a few of these a shot though.

Deg™ · 08-29-2008, 04:12 AM

I actually just switched back to the one with two people on a sloped plane, the LP just didnt feel right.

Xthar · 08-29-2008, 04:36 AM

WTB Vista customization

HARD_ON · 08-29-2008, 06:48 AM

What about a window example? A theme with that would be awesome.
And, I personally like RK Launcher for a dock, simply because it feels bare-boned and fast. Rocket Dock is probably my second choice though.

punture · 08-29-2008, 07:44 AM

Wow Thank you!!! I'm going to try your tut!!

Deg™ · 08-29-2008, 01:58 PM

I'll add some screenshots later.

Abrupt · 08-29-2008, 02:47 PM

google is being a bitch right now.
how do you install new icons/cursors?

Deg™ · 08-29-2008, 03:04 PM

If you're using Rocketdock, simply right click the icon you want to replace, and go to icon settings. Hit the + button below the main list, and find the directory where the icon you want to use is located. From there, you go on and find the one you want.

For mouse pointers, go to 'printers and other hardware' in your control panel, and click on the mouse icon. From there, go to the pointers tab and replace the ones you want.

JekHazit · 08-30-2008, 05:34 AM

Isnt making a picture so big it messes up the theme against the rules?
Looks like a cool tutorial. I like my desktop as it is though.

Deg™ · 08-30-2008, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JekHazit

Isnt making a picture so big it messes up the theme against the rules?
Looks like a cool tutorial. I like my desktop as it is though.

It's perfectly fine on my resolution, but then again i might resize it when i post more images.

Otaku · 08-30-2008, 07:32 AM

Any reason my "hide desktop icons" is...hiding? >_>

Deg™ · 08-30-2008, 03:36 PM

Updated with graphics, one that should help you out Takz

Otaku · 08-30-2008, 07:16 PM

I know what to do, it's just that this happens:

08-29-2008, 04:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Super Gold Member Prophet Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Grandma's basement Posts: 7,411	Yuck, get that les paul away from me. + rep for the milky2 theme __________________ AR. Founder of the official "AKA is my Homeboy" fanclub. Click here to join.
$Super 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

08-29-2008, 04:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
24k Zealot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Trollville Posts: 992	Cool stuff. For some reason I'm when it comes to my Desktop I simply go with the classic '98 look. I might give a few of these a shot though. __________________ 999 is the magic number... and then.. poof.
$24k 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

08-29-2008, 04:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Deg™ Love me gently with a chainsaw Administrator Inquisitor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,083	I actually just switched back to the one with two people on a sloped plane, the LP just didnt feel right. __________________
$Deg™ 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

08-29-2008, 04:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
Xthar Srs Bsns Gold Member Evangelist Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: N.S, Canada Posts: 1,370	WTB Vista customization __________________
$Xthar 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

08-29-2008, 07:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
punture Senior Member Saint Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada Posts: 6,151	Wow Thank you!!! I'm going to try your tut!! __________________
$punture 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

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08-29-2008, 01:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
Deg™ Love me gently with a chainsaw Administrator Inquisitor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,083	I'll add some screenshots later. __________________
$Deg™ 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

08-29-2008, 03:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
Deg™ Love me gently with a chainsaw Administrator Inquisitor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,083	If you're using Rocketdock, simply right click the icon you want to replace, and go to icon settings. Hit the + button below the main list, and find the directory where the icon you want to use is located. From there, you go on and find the one you want. For mouse pointers, go to 'printers and other hardware' in your control panel, and click on the mouse icon. From there, go to the pointers tab and replace the ones you want. __________________
$Deg™ 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

08-30-2008, 05:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
JekHazit Heretic Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada, Alberta, Calgary Posts: 15	Isnt making a picture so big it messes up the theme against the rules? Looks like a cool tutorial. I like my desktop as it is though. __________________ I dont hack that much, but when I feel like doing it, I do...
$JekHazit 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

08-30-2008, 07:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
Otaku I'm in ur user profile changing ur name back Senior Member Gold Member Messiah Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 9,750	Any reason my "hide desktop icons" is...hiding? >_> __________________
$Otaku 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

08-30-2008, 03:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
Deg™ Love me gently with a chainsaw Administrator Inquisitor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,083	Updated with graphics, one that should help you out Takz __________________
$Deg™ 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

08-30-2008, 07:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
Otaku I'm in ur user profile changing ur name back Senior Member Gold Member Messiah Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 9,750	I know what to do, it's just that this happens: __