pros and cons in using uxtheme
Monday, June 12, 2006 by Rychian | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I was curious about the use of the uxtheme patch.I have had a bad expirience using it. I wanted to here from you guys about your expiriences with it.
Thanks ,
Rychian
Thanks ,
Rychian
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GhoS
Reply #2 Monday, June 12, 2006 11:32 PM
Reply #2 Monday, June 12, 2006 11:32 PM
Plus why use it when Windowblinds is a superior product. It can do so much more than StyleXp. If you find a style you like done in StyleXP you can convert it to Windowblinds (with Skinstudio) so you can have the best of both worlds.
starkers
Reply #3 Tuesday, June 13, 2006 12:22 AM
Reply #3 Tuesday, June 13, 2006 12:22 AM
Rychian...Using StyleXP can cause problems with 'system restore' and using your XP installation disk to do repairs and etc, particularly if using the bootsceen part of it. I found this out the hard way when Windows said there was a file missing or corrupt and needed to be replaced to restore full functionality. The only way to do this was via a 'repair installation' using the XP disk, which would not run due to the hacked files.
Took me a while to figure out what the problem was, but when StyleXP was uninstalled, I noticed some things were not restored to their normal state. Fortunately the 'repair installation' fixed all that, but it'd be a pain in the arse to have to do that when it's not otherwise needed to restore system functionality.
It wasn't a mistake I was going to make twice, so it it led me to a search for another customisation program, which eventually led me to Stardock and the ObjectDesktop suite of programs, which in my opinion are far superior and do not hack any system files.
Furthermore, Stardock programs have the distinct advantage over StyleXP, in that an individual one can be uninstalled/reinstalled if it causes an issue. Sure, StyleXP has a convenient interface combining everything, but as I soon discovered, convenience is not necessarily better...when one aspect Of StyleXP decides to go guts up, it affects others and the whole program/system can go haywire.
Best bet...stick with Stardock programs and port any msstyle themes over to WB's using SkinStudio
Took me a while to figure out what the problem was, but when StyleXP was uninstalled, I noticed some things were not restored to their normal state. Fortunately the 'repair installation' fixed all that, but it'd be a pain in the arse to have to do that when it's not otherwise needed to restore system functionality.
It wasn't a mistake I was going to make twice, so it it led me to a search for another customisation program, which eventually led me to Stardock and the ObjectDesktop suite of programs, which in my opinion are far superior and do not hack any system files.
Furthermore, Stardock programs have the distinct advantage over StyleXP, in that an individual one can be uninstalled/reinstalled if it causes an issue. Sure, StyleXP has a convenient interface combining everything, but as I soon discovered, convenience is not necessarily better...when one aspect Of StyleXP decides to go guts up, it affects others and the whole program/system can go haywire.
Best bet...stick with Stardock programs and port any msstyle themes over to WB's using SkinStudio
Rychian
Reply #5 Tuesday, June 13, 2006 3:34 AM
Reply #5 Tuesday, June 13, 2006 3:34 AM
Thats why I have not used it...Like I mentioned I used it once, then had to do a complete reinstall of windowsxp. I heard that it was illegal to use this patch, and that it breaks an agreement concerning the "EULA". I'm trying to understand the info. about this patch, so If I help someone who wants to use it I can give them the facts. So thank you, everyone...
Uxtheme Rafael
Reply #6 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 5:46 PM
Reply #6 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 5:46 PM
To be fair, StyleXP hasn't (for quite some time) altered the Uxtheme on disk. They've switched to modifying it in memory using a kernel-mode driver. Because of this switch, you need not concern yourself with system restore/etc.
About the legal concerns -- I patch and store pre-patched Uxtheme libraries in my widely-used repository and have yet to receive a C&D. TGTSoft patches this binary and sells their patcher as commercial software too. You'll be fine.
About the legal concerns -- I patch and store pre-patched Uxtheme libraries in my widely-used repository and have yet to receive a C&D. TGTSoft patches this binary and sells their patcher as commercial software too. You'll be fine.
Threi
Reply #7 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 5:54 PM
Reply #7 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 5:54 PM
thats what i hate about this site... 
the guy didnt ask about stardock fanboys he wanted to know the experiences from the uxtheme patch...as for me i didnt really have a problem with it and im using it on my laptop right now.
the guy didnt ask about stardock fanboys he wanted to know the experiences from the uxtheme patch...as for me i didnt really have a problem with it and im using it on my laptop right now.
Phoon
Reply #8 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 7:22 PM
Gee, unless I misread, I think he got an informed and well presented case against using the uxtheme hack/stylexp. If you hate the site so much Threi, what keeps you here?
Reply #8 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 7:22 PM
| hats what i hate about this site... the guy didnt ask about stardock fanboys he wanted to know the experiences from the uxtheme patch...as for me i didnt really have a problem with it and im using it on my laptop right now. |
Gee, unless I misread, I think he got an informed and well presented case against using the uxtheme hack/stylexp. If you hate the site so much Threi, what keeps you here?
Threi
Reply #9 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:04 PM
that whole paragraph wasnt needed
another example of unnessary promotion of stardock products
he did not ask "which is better...styleXP or windowblinds"...he asked "what are your experiences with the uxtheme patch?" now if you are inclined to reply "it screwed up my system" something similiar (comment #1 is ideal), i have no problem in the world with that.
indeed it does piss me off but its a matter of taking the good with the bad...if i left every site cause of annoyances in the community, i would just rather unplug my internet cable.
Reply #9 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:04 PM
| Furthermore, Stardock programs have the distinct advantage over StyleXP, in that an individual one can be uninstalled/reinstalled if it causes an issue. Sure, StyleXP has a convenient interface combining everything, but as I soon discovered, convenience is not necessarily better...when one aspect Of StyleXP decides to go guts up, it affects others and the whole program/system can go haywire. |
that whole paragraph wasnt needed
| Plus why use it when Windowblinds is a superior product. It can do so much more than StyleXp. If you find a style you like done in StyleXP you can convert it to Windowblinds (with Skinstudio) so you can have the best of both worlds. |
another example of unnessary promotion of stardock products
he did not ask "which is better...styleXP or windowblinds"...he asked "what are your experiences with the uxtheme patch?" now if you are inclined to reply "it screwed up my system" something similiar (comment #1 is ideal), i have no problem in the world with that.
| Gee, unless I misread, I think he got an informed and well presented case against using the uxtheme hack/stylexp. If you hate the site so much Threi, what keeps you here? |
indeed it does piss me off but its a matter of taking the good with the bad...if i left every site cause of annoyances in the community, i would just rather unplug my internet cable.
Jafo
Reply #10 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:22 PM
Reply #10 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:22 PM
| About the legal concerns -- I patch and store pre-patched Uxtheme libraries in my widely-used repository and have yet to receive a C&D. |
MS really is slack at times.
Were I MS I would have vigorously protected my IP...and gleaned even more dollars into my bank account...
Island Dog
Reply #11 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:35 PM
It's not unnecessary at all. Someone trying to recommend a better product is just fine.
Reply #11 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:35 PM
| another example of unnessary promotion of stardock products |
It's not unnecessary at all. Someone trying to recommend a better product is just fine.
Koasati
Reply #12 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:59 PM
Really now, what do you expect? You go to a Chevy forum, don't you figure there's going to be a few Chevy Fanboys there?
Reply #12 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:59 PM
| stardock fanboys |
Really now, what do you expect? You go to a Chevy forum, don't you figure there's going to be a few Chevy Fanboys there?
Threi
Reply #13 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:13 PM
how convenient
so its not a customization site?
Reply #13 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:13 PM
| It's not unnecessary at all. Someone trying to recommend a better product is just fine. |
how convenient
| Really now, what do you expect? You go to a Chevy forum, don't you figure there's going to be a few Chevy Fanboys there? |
so its not a customization site?
Bichur
Reply #14 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:36 PM
I disagree. That paragraph appears to be from experience which ties in with:
Reply #14 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:36 PM
| Furthermore, Stardock programs have the distinct advantage over StyleXP, in that an individual one can be uninstalled/reinstalled if it causes an issue. Sure, StyleXP has a convenient interface combining everything, but as I soon discovered, convenience is not necessarily better...when one aspect Of StyleXP decides to go guts up, it affects others and the whole program/system can go haywire. |
| that whole paragraph wasnt needed |
I disagree. That paragraph appears to be from experience which ties in with:
| . I wanted to here from you guys about your expiriences with it. |
Threi
Reply #15 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:40 PM
yay a sentence class...my favorite
i was led to beleive that by "it" he meant the uxtheme patch...not windowblinds
Reply #15 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:40 PM
| I wanted to here from you guys about your expiriences with it. |
yay a sentence class...my favorite
i was led to beleive that by "it" he meant the uxtheme patch...not windowblinds
Bichur
Reply #16 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:51 PM
Reply #16 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:51 PM
What part of:
escapes you?
| Sure, StyleXP has a convenient interface combining everything, but as I soon discovered, convenience is not necessarily better...when one aspect Of StyleXP decides to go guts up, it affects others and the whole program/system can go haywire. |
escapes you?
Threi
Reply #17 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:54 PM
Reply #17 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:54 PM
ok i tried to be nice but now you arent making sense...i thought i explained that already... !!!!!
is my point really that hard to grasp? its just a pet peeve i have on this site and i didnt want to keep quiet about it.
!!!!!| now if you are inclined to reply "it screwed up my system" something similiar (comment #1 is ideal), i have no problem in the world with that. |
is my point really that hard to grasp? its just a pet peeve i have on this site and i didnt want to keep quiet about it.
Bichur
Reply #18 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 11:04 PM
Reply #18 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 11:04 PM
Starker's statement was based on experience which is what the OP asked for.
You state "...I have no problem in the world with that." right after you said his paragraph was unnecessary.
Why was it unnecessary?
You state "...I have no problem in the world with that." right after you said his paragraph was unnecessary.
Why was it unnecessary?
Threi
Reply #19 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 11:08 PM
Reply #19 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 11:08 PM
god...so thick...i give up. *sigh*
whatever u win im usin my old motto again
"no time spent = no time wasted"
whatever u win im usin my old motto again
"no time spent = no time wasted"
Koasati
Reply #20 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 11:14 PM
Yes.... you really are, aren't you?
Yes, this is a customization site, and the vast majority of the regulars know WindowBlinds to be the superior product, through experience.
Reply #20 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 11:14 PM
| god...so thick...i give up. *sigh* |
Yes.... you really are, aren't you?
Yes, this is a customization site, and the vast majority of the regulars know WindowBlinds to be the superior product, through experience.
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Reply #1 Monday, June 12, 2006 7:00 PM
I tried it ("StyleXP") and decided against it for the following reasons:
1 - Skins selections were fairly limited.
2 - Incorporation with other installed programs was not as good as the native "uxtheme.dll" included in Windows XP.
3 - The uninstall process does not restore the original files.
If the patch was clean and allowed the files to run exactly the same as the native ones do, and if the uninstall process restored the original files flawlessly, I would use the progam extensively. Unfortunately, it is a "hack" which is flawed, and therefore I do not use it.