Windows 7: How to mod the Aero theme to crystal clear borders

[tong]

The original Aero theme is very ugly transparent.

[tong]

How to hack uxtheme before use any customized themes

Download Universal Theme Patcher
http://deepxw.blogspot.com/2009/01/down ... rsion.html

takeown /f %windir%\system32\themeservice.dll
icacls %windir%\system32\themeservice.dll /setowner Administrators 
icacls %windir%\system32\themeservice.dll /grant Administrators:F

takeown /f %windir%\system32\themeui.dll
icacls %windir%\system32\themeui.dll /grant administrators:F

takeown /f %windir%\system32\uxtheme.dll
icacls %windir%\system32\uxtheme.dll /grant administrators:F

[tong]

How to mod the Aero theme

In these example, I modified directly into the Aero theme. You should copy all files of "C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero" to your own theme such as "C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\AeroMod".

And copy "C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero.theme" to "C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\AeroMod.theme". This is a normal text file.

[tong]

Use "Restorator 2007" to export the stream 971 PNG picture.

[tong]

Open the 971 PNG in the "PhotoShop". To see the picture clearly, I created a green layer.

[tong]

Cut the unwant parts and save back to PNG.

[tong]

Use "Restorator 2007" again to replace the stream 971 PNG picture.

[tong]

The other part of theme can be modified in the section "Variant Normal" of the aero.msstyles file. You need to know the magic codes. For a complete guide can be read here: http://www.aeroxp.org/board/index.php?showforum=41

These are "PE Explorer" addresses:

Code: Select all

VARIANT_NORMAL.res

Maximized windows transparent titlebar : 23C43 : FF -> 00 (00-99)

Maximized windows active titlebar text glow : 23C18 : 00 -> 5A (90)
Maximized windows active titlebar text colour : 23C90 : FF FF FF -> 00 00 00 (black)

Maximized windows inactive titlebar text glow : 23CE0 : 00 -> 32 (50)
Maximized windows inactive titlebar text colour : 23D30 : FF FF FF -> 00 00 00 (black)

Maximized windows titlebar text (When in App) : 23F20 : FF FF FF -> 00 00 00 (black)

To convert hex number from the "Restorator 2007" to "PE Explorer", use the following formula:

Code: Select all

PE Explorer = Restorator - 58

[tong]

Finally, use "Notepad" to modify "C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\AeroMod.theme".

Code: Select all

DisplayName=AeroMod
Wallpaper=%ResourceDir%\Themes\AeroMod\AeroMod.jpg
Path=%ResourceDir%\Themes\AeroMod\AeroMod.msstyles

[tong]

All are clear now.