Accurate Luna (Windows XP) theme for Windows 8

Hello, everyone. This is just a little something I thought I'd share.
You may know that quite some time ago, the Windows XP luna theme was ported to Windows 7, and it looked pretty much the same as it did in XP. But with Windows 8/8.1 having Aero always enabled, you obviously can't get a perfectly accurate luna theme like you could in Windows 7. Or can you?

Ever since I got Windows 8.1, I've been testing stuff with DWM, and I successfully disabled it. When this is done, Windows will load the Aero Basic theme (that was present in Windows 7). So that got me thinking about luna (since the Windows 7 version of luna was based on Aero Basic). I downloaded this theme:
Windows XP Blue Luna Theme for Windows 8.1 by winxp4life on deviantART
Then I tried loading it with DWM disabled. Sure enough, this was the result:


Note that I'm using Classic Shell for the start button, and the window metrics/colors were taken directly off of an XP computer from the registry (because Windows 8 doesn't change window metrics/colors when you switch themes). Also, the title bar text is still centered, but I guess that's just part of Windows. I've also noticed that the scrollbars and window buttons are using the Windows 8 aero style, but I think that can be changed by reshacking the luna.msstyles file.

I guess you wouldn't call this piratical since it does require completely killing DWM (even though I usually have DWM disabled anyways). I just wanted to show that this is possible for anyone who might be interested. Have a nice day.

Hi.
I want that my Windows 8.1 should look like on your screenshot.
For this I disabled the dwm.exe and got the Windows 7 Basic Theme. So, now my first question is how can I disable the dwm.exe permanently and my second question is how can I disable all the metro stuff that are not workin anymore if dwm is disabled (blackscreen bugs etc.)? Classic shell is disabling almost everything but not the "Network" metro window for example.
Maybe you could write a detailed tutorial or something?

Hi there
Actually I like the BLACK LUNA for XP -if you could make that work on W8 that would be fantastic. I changed the background image to a Jaguar but otherwise it's the BLACL LUNA (or was it called Luna Black) theme.

Cheers
jimbo

Dani5ooo said:

Hi.
I want that my Windows 8.1 should look like on your screenshot.
For this I disabled the dwm.exe and got the Windows 7 Basic Theme. So, now my first question is how can I disable the dwm.exe permanently and my second question is how can I disable all the metro stuff that are not workin anymore if dwm is disabled (blackscreen bugs etc.)? Classic shell is disabling almost everything but not the "Network" metro window for example.
Maybe you could write a detailed tutorial or something?

Click to expand...

Ok, sure. Here are the steps I took to do this:
1.) Set Windows to automatically log on. Disabling DWM will break the login screen, making it impossible to log on if you don't do this.
2.) Download this: NODWM8.1
3.) Run the batch file included in the downloaded file.
4.) If you haven't already, patch your theme dll files. There are many tools that will do this for you, so just search Google for "Windows 8 theme patcher" or something like that.

If you can't boot after doing this, boot into recovery mode and restore the original DWM.exe file using the command prompt. Let me know how it goes.

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
Actually I like the BLACK LUNA for XP -if you could make that work on W8 that would be fantastic. I changed the background image to a Jaguar but otherwise it's the BLACL LUNA (or was it called Luna Black) theme.

Cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

So that's a screenshot from XP? Well I think it would be possible, but porting themes takes some work. I've never done it, but kind of want to. I really want to look into porting the Windows Whistler Watercolor theme. If you don't know what it looks like, here's a screenshot:

This screenshot is from Windows Whistler, but the theme has been ported to XP. I actually used it back when I was still using XP a lot.

If I were you I'd find someone who's experienced in creating themes for Windows, and ask them about it.

I've tried it with NODWM8.1 before but on an upgraded version (8 to 8.1). I got some blackscreen issues after I manually replaced the dwm.exe and the .bat file didn't run properly. Today i've installed Windows 8.1, no upgrade. I've tried again what "Cyberdyne" explained here.
Now everything is working. I think I will make some adjustments to the Luna theme because the metrics are not properly.


And here is a screen with the bugged Network manager


//Edit:

Butters said:

So that's a screenshot from XP? Well I think it would be possible, but porting themes takes some work. I've never done it, but kind of want to. I really want to look into porting the Windows Whistler Watercolor theme. If you don't know what it looks like, here's a screenshot:

This screenshot is from Windows Whistler, but the theme has been ported to XP. I actually used it back when I was still using XP a lot.

If I were you I'd find someone who's experienced in creating themes for Windows, and ask them about it.

Click to expand...

I was starting to port the watercolor theme to Windows 8.1 but as you know the "aero/metro" themes are handled differently on window frames and so I got a criplled title bar. So, now dwm is disabled I will try to port it properly to 8.1 and of course I will somehow try to make the "aero/metro" version of the theme as good as possible.

Butters said:

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
Actually I like the BLACK LUNA for XP -if you could make that work on W8 that would be fantastic. I changed the background image to a Jaguar but otherwise it's the BLACL LUNA (or was it called Luna Black) theme.

Cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

So that's a screenshot from XP? Well I think it would be possible, but porting themes takes some work. I've never done it, but kind of want to. I really want to look into porting the Windows Whistler Watercolor theme. If you don't know what it looks like, here's a screenshot:

This screenshot is from Windows Whistler, but the theme has been ported to XP. I actually used it back when I was still using XP a lot.

If I were you I'd find someone who's experienced in creating themes for Windows, and ask them about it.

Click to expand...

Wow! Great work! :thumb:

Speaking of XP themes, there was also one called Zune.



The dark touch with that orange load/highlight really made this one of my favourite themes.

Take your time with those ports but if someone would be able to come up with a remake for W8 that would be fabulous!

Cheers!
Hopachi

I think I've seen a Zune port for Windows 8, but I don't remember. Right not I'm actually using Windows Classic. (just rename the Aero folder to enable it). It's pretty functional, although a few extra things will break (specifically a few Control Panel pages, I'm trying to fix them). You don't even need to disable DWM to enable it, but it is a lot more functional with it disabled.

As for the Luna metrics, I'll put up some registry files for metrics/colors for many of the XP themes. I'll also include Aero just in case anyone ever wants to revert back.

You will probably need to find substitutes for many Windows features that break when DWM is disabled. I'm using PE Network Manager to manage my networks. Also, if you ever get a sidebar that will never go away, just rename the file Windows.UI.Search.dll (located in System32) to remove it permanently. You can rename it to anything really, just be sure you remember what you renamed it to.

Lastly, I have a quick question about the Watercolor theme. Could a basic Watercolor theme work instead of an Aero based theme? I don't know, but I'm just suggesting it.

I have got some time today to edit the Luna Theme, because it was messed up.
The metrics are changed in the Theme file now.
The Theme should display everything correctly now. If not the registry file can be used.
I would say this Theme is 80% complete. Need to fix some minor stuff.
Here is my progress so far:

Looks great, can't wait for a release!

Hi there
I actually liked the VISTA standard AERO GLASS - any Windows 8.1 ports.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi there
I actually liked the VISTA standard AERO GLASS - any Windows 8.1 ports.

Ms gave as a reason for dropping the Glass /aero effects that it consumed a lot of resources -- might have been true during VISTA's day but modern machines are much more powerful -- I wonder if on a typical computer the CPU consumption (average) ever is above 15% (not average -- of course it will rise much higher for short periods).

Cheers
jimbo