Windows 8 custom themes not working properly.

ApexCrisis

New Member
Messages
4
Hello,
I have patched and rebooted using the UltraUXThemePatcher and it said it was successful. I've followed instructions of putting the theme file and the folder into my windows/resources/themes folder, then selecting it from the personalisation window.
The theme changes, however some themes don't work as expected. It's the same problem with most themes - the explorer window. For example, it's supposed to be like this:
http://puu.sh/42EX8.png

However my one is like this:
http://puu.sh/42EXF.png

The color has changed, albeit not to the one its supposed to be, and there is some strange border around the window. Only the buttons to close, maximize and minimize changed as intended to. Same for most themes.

I'm new to the theme stuff, maybe I missed out on some step, but all the tutorials I've seen only show to patch, then put it in the folder and click it to activate it.

Thanks in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core i7-2630QM (2.00GHz) 6MB Cache
    Memory
    8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce® GT 555M - 2GB DDR3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" Full HD LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    120GB OCZ Agility 3
    500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK
    Mouse
    Razor Deathadder 3.5G
    Internet Speed
    30 mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
I don't use these kind of themes anymore but I'll try to help out.

Check theme readme, maybe you forgot some files, some themes patch Explorer as well.

Check the theme settings.
The color options from Personalization window may still apply: pick a darker color.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
I've followed the instructions from the theme creators themselves but it's the same thing. Also there's videos on Youtube that show exactly what I do and it works fine for others and in the video.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core i7-2630QM (2.00GHz) 6MB Cache
    Memory
    8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce® GT 555M - 2GB DDR3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" Full HD LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    120GB OCZ Agility 3
    500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK
    Mouse
    Razor Deathadder 3.5G
    Internet Speed
    30 mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
There are many possibilities here and I don't know the details.

For instance:
- Are you using the same version they use in the demo?
- Are you on 64bit Windows? -> is the theme 64bit compatible?
- Where can I get it? -> what youtube video to follow?
- Did you tested the color settings I mentioned? -> darker if possible.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core i7-2630QM (2.00GHz) 6MB Cache
    Memory
    8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce® GT 555M - 2GB DDR3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" Full HD LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    120GB OCZ Agility 3
    500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK
    Mouse
    Razor Deathadder 3.5G
    Internet Speed
    30 mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
Thanks.
I did tested it on W8 x64 in a VM and it's indeed gray.

Followed all steps...

theme.png

The color cannot be changed.

All 3rd party themes I know do work on x64 but they are actually all 32bit (win32 pe detected for the *.msstyles file, the theme core) including this one. But a few of them might work better on 32bit depending on the patch or the msstyles file.

Now if all steps we did are right it means the maker opted to add the gray there otherwise I don't know what to blame. I've used the same uxthemepatxcher. Weird things. Maybe they forgot to change the previews, or (if someone confirms) they work better on 32 bit, not sure.

EDIT: the first theme you linked has extras, including the explorerframe to change buttons and some colors. You might test that as well but requires .Net 3.5 package installed. The youtube video directs you to another link to get the theme, maybe it's another version.

If somebody else has other suggestions they're most welcome, I'll stick with original themes and the RP theme that doesn't need patching.

Regards
Hopachi
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Hi everyone,

Sorry for the bump, but since this is the first result on Google for "Windows 8 themes not working", I thought I'd post how I fixed this. In order for this to work you need to have shadows enabled on windows. To do that, go to Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced System Settings. Then click on the settings for Performance and check "Show shadows under windows".

Hope that helps!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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