Does Windowblinds use explorer.exe?
Wednesday, June 4, 2003 by Michael Ficarra | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Does Windowblinds need explorer.exe to run? I think it may because I don't run explorer.exe (I'll email you an explanation if you would like it) and ever since I didn't, it did not skin the taskbar. Is this odd? I really don't want to have to undo what I have changed to not have to run explorer.exe, but I will if I have to to use Windowblinds. 
c242
Reply #2 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 1:40 PM
Reply #2 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 1:40 PM
Yes, You can't have the taskbar skinned if it is 'emulated' by another shell (that one has to do the job) 
Michael Ficarra
Reply #3 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 1:49 PM
Reply #3 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 1:49 PM
I'm using Windows XP Pro, but I edited explorer.exe. So, I have renamed it and configured XP to run it. I did this to change what the Start button said when the taskbar was not skinned. It used to say "Start", but now it says "button". http://mywebpages.comcast.net/michaelficarra/button.bmp
Tryzub
Reply #4 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 1:54 PM
Reply #4 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 1:54 PM
I would think that WindowBlinds is looking for explorer.exe and skinning the Taskbar portion of the program with the hooks built into Windows. If you've renamed explorer.exe and are using a hexed version of it, you may be out of luck as far as WindowBlinds and its ability to skin it properly. You may want to email Stardock directly on this one.
Michael Ficarra
Reply #6 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 2:48 PM
Reply #6 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 2:48 PM
Okay, I emailed support(at)stardock.com the original question and post #3. Hopefully I'll get a response on how to get it to work with my altered explorer.exe.
[Message Edited]
[Message Edited]
joetheblow
Reply #7 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 3:18 PM
now that is custimization for you.
Changing the start button to just say button.
Now that is saying "screw that, I think it should say 'button'.
Reply #7 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 3:18 PM
now that is custimization for you.
Changing the start button to just say button.
Now that is saying "screw that, I think it should say 'button'.
Michael Ficarra
Reply #9 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 4:17 PM
Reply #9 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 4:17 PM
Ok, I'm going to start undoing what I did. I'll try to find a loophole. I really want the start button to say "Button." It's just so cool. 
If you don't see me on for the next couple weeks, you'll know I messed up.
If you don't see me on for the next couple weeks, you'll know I messed up.
Koasati
Reply #10 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 5:02 PM
Reply #10 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 5:02 PM
Using Xp and WindowBlinds, you can have the start button read anything you want...............
Michael Ficarra
Reply #11 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 5:35 PM
Reply #11 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 5:35 PM
But, not with the Luna theme. Unless you use one of the Windowblinds' Luna themes. But why?
Koasati
Reply #12 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 6:01 PM
Reply #12 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 6:01 PM
You lost me.............. you said you wanted to use WindowBlinds, so what does it matter that you can't change the button in the default Luna (Phisher-Price) skin? But to answer your question...... "But why?" Because Uncle Bill thinks you might break something, if you are allowed to change too much.
Michael Ficarra
Reply #13 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 6:21 PM
Reply #13 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 6:21 PM
If I at all wanted to use the Luna theme, that would be the way I wanted it. With the Start button saying Button.
[Message Edited]
[Message Edited]
paxx
Reply #14 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 7:42 PM
Reply #14 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 7:42 PM
I heard that Windowblinds skinned Luna faster than Microsoft's skinning engine. So that could be a reason. 
And you could bring you start button in any paint program and have it what you want.
And you could bring you start button in any paint program and have it what you want.
MarkMcQ
Reply #15 Thursday, June 5, 2003 3:24 AM
Reply #15 Thursday, June 5, 2003 3:24 AM
I'm confused now. You want to change your Luna start button to say something else, that you won't even see when you run WB?
Michael Ficarra
Reply #16 Thursday, June 5, 2003 4:27 PM
Reply #16 Thursday, June 5, 2003 4:27 PM
YAY! I got it working. I used resource hacker and edited the explorer.exe file directly. Now I have my edited explorer.exe running and no backup because I can't have 2 files of the same name in the folder. Easily crashible, but at least it looks cool! 
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Reply #1 Wednesday, June 4, 2003 1:17 PM