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Thread related to 'Special Themes' on Windows 8.
AeroLite and High Contrast variations, something we don't have enabled by default.
Those who know *.theme editing know that themes exported in XP Vista and 7 work on Win8 as well. these are classic themes that on Win8 are found as High Contrast themes.
Information
Note
We don't always need High Contrast but based on those settings we can make newer interesting themes as well.
Links with extra info about editing the theme files:
http://www.eightforums.com/customiz...-ui-change-title-text-color-4.html#post152178
http://www.eightforums.com/customization/13957-change-taskbar-opacity.html#post148419
http://www.eightforums.com/customiz...t-lining-up-right-side-screen.html#post221110
More info about the high-contrast mode in Windows 8:
High-contrast mode (Windows)
Those who look for custom cursors:
http://www.eightforums.com/customization/9827-custom-cursors.html
To begin, here is a theme based on high contrast black but it uses gray instead. Also there's no white background(s). The theme has been tested and uses enhancements (metrics and color specs) found in XP classic themes:
hc-midnight-v033

This is good for multimedia apps where we need to concentrate on some 3D, video editing programs, see dark GIMP, Photoshop, Blender style and where white colors would get in the way.
Note:
Browsers also look darker since the colors apply.
Firefox and affiliates look classic but a fix has been applied to integrate the looks better (color issue: fixed thanks to XP-exported metrics).
To use:
Extract the zip and double-click/apply the theme file.
AeroLite and High Contrast variations, something we don't have enabled by default.
Those who know *.theme editing know that themes exported in XP Vista and 7 work on Win8 as well. these are classic themes that on Win8 are found as High Contrast themes.

Default themes (Aero) and standard AeroLite ones don't allow as many changes and customizations to text and colors as the High-Contrast based ones. Some items are not changeable at all by using default/standard themes.
High-Contrast themes affect the browser webpages content as well, keep in mind that sites will not look as originally intended and all color schemes will use the high-contrast look currently applied on the system.
High-Contrast themes affect the browser webpages content as well, keep in mind that sites will not look as originally intended and all color schemes will use the high-contrast look currently applied on the system.

The themes I post here don't need patching of system files. The objective is to use the OS built-in AeroLite and High Contrast modes to create some nice (as possible) effects and themes. So this themes should run on any Windows 8/8.1 machine, just double-click and apply.
We don't always need High Contrast but based on those settings we can make newer interesting themes as well.
Links with extra info about editing the theme files:
http://www.eightforums.com/customiz...-ui-change-title-text-color-4.html#post152178
http://www.eightforums.com/customization/13957-change-taskbar-opacity.html#post148419
http://www.eightforums.com/customiz...t-lining-up-right-side-screen.html#post221110
More info about the high-contrast mode in Windows 8:
High-contrast mode (Windows)
Those who look for custom cursors:
http://www.eightforums.com/customization/9827-custom-cursors.html
To begin, here is a theme based on high contrast black but it uses gray instead. Also there's no white background(s). The theme has been tested and uses enhancements (metrics and color specs) found in XP classic themes:
hc-midnight-v033

This is good for multimedia apps where we need to concentrate on some 3D, video editing programs, see dark GIMP, Photoshop, Blender style and where white colors would get in the way.
Note:
Browsers also look darker since the colors apply.
Firefox and affiliates look classic but a fix has been applied to integrate the looks better (color issue: fixed thanks to XP-exported metrics).
To use:
Extract the zip and double-click/apply the theme file.
Attachments
Last edited:
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.