VISTA TUTORIAL: List of VISTA Files to be Hacked Using Resource Hacker
From AskVG.com
Monday, October 22, 2007 by VishalGuptaMVP | Discussion: Vista Customization
In this tutorial, I’ll tell about various system files in Windows Vista, which can be hacked using Resource Hacker / Resource Tuner to change the look of Windows dialog boxes, menus, login screen, boot screen and many other things. So here we start the tutorial:
================================
Approx. all Windows Vista system icons -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll
Login Screen Background -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll
Startup ORB animation images -> %windir%\System32\authui.dll
Startup ORB Sound -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll
Shutdown/ lock, etc. buttons in Startmenu -> %windir%\Explorer.exe -> Bitmap -> 7051 - 7056
Windows Version Image in About Windows dialog box -> %windir%\Branding\Basebrd\basebrd.dll
Windows Version Image in Login Screen bottom -> %windir%\Branding\Basebrd\basebrd.dll
Classic Start button flag and Classic Start menu left side image -> %windir%\Branding\Shellbrd\shellbrd.dll
Control Panerl Left Sidebar Bottom Image -> %windir%\System32\Shell32.dll -> Bitmap -> 632
Back & Forward, Search, Stop, Refresh buttons in Windows Explorer -> %windir%\System32\browseui.dll
Back & Forward, Search, Stop, Refresh, Progress animation, tabs, tab close, etc. buttons in Internet Explorer -> %windir%\System32\ieframe.dll
Welcome Center Images -> %windir%\System32\oobefldr.dll
Boot Screen background image in “No GUI boot” condition -> %windir%\System32\en-US\Winload.exe.mui
Windows Media Player Resources -> %windir%\System32\wmploc.dll
Login Screen Background -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll
Startup ORB animation images -> %windir%\System32\authui.dll
Startup ORB Sound -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll
Shutdown/ lock, etc. buttons in Startmenu -> %windir%\Explorer.exe -> Bitmap -> 7051 - 7056
Windows Version Image in About Windows dialog box -> %windir%\Branding\Basebrd\basebrd.dll
Windows Version Image in Login Screen bottom -> %windir%\Branding\Basebrd\basebrd.dll
Classic Start button flag and Classic Start menu left side image -> %windir%\Branding\Shellbrd\shellbrd.dll
Control Panerl Left Sidebar Bottom Image -> %windir%\System32\Shell32.dll -> Bitmap -> 632
Back & Forward, Search, Stop, Refresh buttons in Windows Explorer -> %windir%\System32\browseui.dll
Back & Forward, Search, Stop, Refresh, Progress animation, tabs, tab close, etc. buttons in Internet Explorer -> %windir%\System32\ieframe.dll
Welcome Center Images -> %windir%\System32\oobefldr.dll
Boot Screen background image in “No GUI boot” condition -> %windir%\System32\en-US\Winload.exe.mui
Windows Media Player Resources -> %windir%\System32\wmploc.dll
================================
Above are the new system files/locations in Windows Vista which were not present in earlier versions, like XP. But if you want to change look of various dialog boxes like RUN, Progress, System Properies, Startmenu and Taskbar Properties, etc. Then you’ll have to edit the same system files which you used to edit in Windows XP. The difference is, now those files dont contain the resources but their .MUI files do.
So if you want to edit RUN dialog box which was present in “%windir%\System32\Shell32.dll” file in XP, is now present in “%windir%\System32\en-US\Shell32.dll.mui” file in Windows Vista.
So in following list, I’ll tell you where all those files are present in Windows Vista:
All those files are present in any of following 2 locations:
%windir%\en-US\
%windir%\System32\en-US\
%windir%\System32\en-US\
To know about those various system files containing dialog boxes, menus, etc. resources, please visit following link:
TUTORIAL: List of Files to be hacked using Resource Hacker
TUTORIAL: List of a few Locations in Windows XP System Files to be Hacked using Resource Hacker
All those file names and resource locations are same in XP and Vista.
I hope you guys will like it.
DrSharl
Reply #2 Monday, October 22, 2007 9:53 AM
Reply #2 Monday, October 22, 2007 9:53 AM
Hacker is engines modifier, for example, when you modify a resource, as a CPL from the control panel, you are hacking;)
You don't scare for the word hacker Philly;)
You don't scare for the word hacker Philly;)
VishalGuptaMVP
Reply #3 Monday, October 22, 2007 9:59 AM
Reply #3 Monday, October 22, 2007 9:59 AM
^^ Right. Its just name of the software. By hacking means you are modifying the files. 
iBookChick
Reply #4 Monday, October 22, 2007 12:07 PM
The word Hacker just doesn't sit well with me!
Do you prefer Reverse Engineer? Or maybe Tweaker?
"A Hacker is any person who derives joy from discovering ways to circumvent limitations." — Bob Bickford
Seriously, a Security Analyst (Hacker) specializes in the discovery of exploits in systems and in preventing unauthorized access to systems through skills, tactics and detailed knowledge. The ideas of Hacking do not always have to appear as fearsome or negative.
Reply #4 Monday, October 22, 2007 12:07 PM
The word Hacker just doesn't sit well with me!
Do you prefer Reverse Engineer? Or maybe Tweaker?
"A Hacker is any person who derives joy from discovering ways to circumvent limitations." — Bob Bickford
Seriously, a Security Analyst (Hacker) specializes in the discovery of exploits in systems and in preventing unauthorized access to systems through skills, tactics and detailed knowledge. The ideas of Hacking do not always have to appear as fearsome or negative.
iNautilus
Reply #5 Monday, October 22, 2007 11:08 PM
Not to upset anyone but technically windowblinds is a hack. If your wondering why I say that, well it modifies the original files of Microsoft Windows. So software engineering is a better term if you prefer.
Reply #5 Monday, October 22, 2007 11:08 PM
The word Hacker just doesn't sit well with me!
Not to upset anyone but technically windowblinds is a hack. If your wondering why I say that, well it modifies the original files of Microsoft Windows. So software engineering is a better term if you prefer.
VishalGuptaMVP
Reply #7 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 5:14 AM
Reply #7 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 5:14 AM
^^ Indeed. WindowBlinds doesnt modify any Windows system file. It installs its own files and use its own engine for the themes but StyleXP hacks "uxtheme.dll" file to allow its themes.
Jafo
Reply #8 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 5:47 AM
Reply #8 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 5:47 AM
Not to upset anyone but technically windowblinds is a hack. If your wondering why I say that, well it modifies the original files of Microsoft Windows.
I'm sure there's a bloke called Neil out there who would beg to differ....
Skinning generally started with the process of 'hacking' ... Fli7e first hacked Winamp to enable it to be skinned...
Anyone wanting to 'hack' his OS files, however....good luck.
Anyone new to the process of 'hacking'....caveat emptor ....
butch123
Reply #9 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 6:32 AM
Reply #9 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 6:32 AM
Very nice tutorial My friend
For those of you who like to try their hand at making a Windows Vista Visual Style, this could help. I have looked all over the internet and the best tutorials that I was able to come up with was made by UK Intel. So if you thought you would like to give it a shot, here is your chance. Below are all the necessary links that you need.. How to make a Visual Style for Windows Vista Keep On Skinning
How to make a Visual Style for Windows Vista http://www.joejoe.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=10445
Hex-Editing http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs17/f/2007/224/e/2/Vista_Hex_Editing_Tutorial_0_7_by_UkIntel.pdf
Font Change http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs16/f/2007/208/c/2/Change_Font_in_Vista__s_vs_0_1_by_UkIntel.pdf
For those of you who like to try their hand at making a Windows Vista Visual Style, this could help. I have looked all over the internet and the best tutorials that I was able to come up with was made by UK Intel. So if you thought you would like to give it a shot, here is your chance. Below are all the necessary links that you need.. How to make a Visual Style for Windows Vista Keep On Skinning
How to make a Visual Style for Windows Vista http://www.joejoe.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=10445
Hex-Editing http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs17/f/2007/224/e/2/Vista_Hex_Editing_Tutorial_0_7_by_UkIntel.pdf
Font Change http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs16/f/2007/208/c/2/Change_Font_in_Vista__s_vs_0_1_by_UkIntel.pdf
ZubaZ
Reply #10 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 7:39 AM
Try to do *that* with a hacked visual style.
Reply #10 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 7:39 AM
For those of you who like to try their hand at making a Windows Vista Visual Style, this could help.
Why bother? Take a look at what can be done with Windowblinds: Playing with MagicTry to do *that* with a hacked visual style.
butch123
Reply #11 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:17 AM
Reply #11 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:17 AM
Well Zubaz i think one should not be limited as for me i do both windowblinds and Visual Style
VistaGlass Final http://butch123.deviantart.com/art/VistaGlass-Final-60349566
Windowblind Midnight Made for windows vista with windowblinds 6
http://butch123.deviantart.com/art/Windowblind-Midnight-66968689
we are only limited when we limit ourselves..
VistaGlass Final http://butch123.deviantart.com/art/VistaGlass-Final-60349566
Windowblind Midnight Made for windows vista with windowblinds 6
http://butch123.deviantart.com/art/Windowblind-Midnight-66968689
we are only limited when we limit ourselves..
ZubaZ
Reply #12 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:30 AM
Reply #12 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:30 AM
Can visual styles do anything more than WB?
No?
Can WB do more than VS?
Yes?
Then there is no limit.
No?
Can WB do more than VS?
Yes?
Then there is no limit.
butch123
Reply #13 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:44 AM
Reply #13 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:44 AM
True Zubaz in the past,But no longer. any windowblind made today can also be made as a vista GUI.
ZubaZ
Reply #14 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:52 AM
Reply #14 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:52 AM
I'd love to see the proof-of-concept Magic VS port.
Philly0381
Reply #15 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 1:09 PM
Imagine that, all this started with my reply #1! Bow to the power of the pen!!!
Reply #15 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 1:09 PM
The word Hacker just doesn't sit well with me!
Imagine that, all this started with my reply #1! Bow to the power of the pen!!!
Diafragma
Reply #16 Friday, January 11, 2008 12:55 AM
Reply #16 Friday, January 11, 2008 12:55 AM
Im still havent been able to change the open folder icons in vista when displayed as large icon .... does anyone know how?
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Reply #1 Monday, October 22, 2007 9:47 AM