How to Install and Apply Styler Toolbar Skin in Windows XP Explorer?

In this tutorial, I'll tell you how to install a Styler toolbar skin in XP explorer? Many times we download a styler skin but can't find a way to install and use it.

As you all know about my "VistaVG Ultimate" theme for Windows XP which can make Windows XP look-a-like Vista:

Download VistaVG Ultimate Theme for Windows XP

In this theme pack, I have included a styler skin "VistaVG" which adds a toolbar similar to Vista explorer toolbar having back, forward buttons along with addressbar and searchbar in XP explorer.

Many visitors don't find themselves comfortable in installing and applying this styler skin, so I'm posting a detailed tutorial with screenshots which will help you in applying Styler toolbar skins:

1. First of all install "Styler" if you have not installed it yet. You can download it from following link:

Download Styler Free Version

2. Install it and log off.

3. Now open Explorer window and right-click on toolbar. Now enable "Styler Toolbar" option and disable other options like Standard Buttons, Address Bar, Links:

4. Now copy the styler skin folder to following directory:

C:\Program Files\Styler\TB\skins\Styler's

Here C: is the drive where Windows is installed. Change it if your Windows is installed in some other partition.

5. Now click on the "Floppy" icon in Styler toolbar:

6. And select "Skin -> Styler's -> skin_name" (In our case the skin name will be VistaVG).

7. It'll look like as following:

8. If you want to remove Menubar also, then double-click on Styler's icon in System Tray:

9. It'll open Styler Options window. Go to "Toolbar" tab and enable "Hide Menubar" options:

10. That's it. Now you'll get the same Vista Explorer look in your XP Explorer:

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This article was posted in Windows XP, XP Themes.

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110 Comments

Eric

okay..i replaced the shell file in the normalcolor folder...but nothing changed. do i need to reboot?

(sorry..i must sound like such an idiot:P haha)
VG

^^ Which style you are using atm? There are 6 styles in this theme: Aero32, Aero48, Basic32, Basic48, Black32 and Black48. You'll need to replace the correct "shellstyle.dll" file present in Shell folder. For example, If you are using "Basic32", then you'll need to replace file in "Shell\Basic32" folder.
denoir

Hey there, I am having trouble with styler since some weeks.
It just doesn't show up in the toolbar, you know in the right click menu.

I am logged on as administrator.. any ideas what may cause this?
It did work before I don't really know whats the problem.

I reinstalled it a few times now, everything is fine but it won't show in the right click menu..

Please help,
denoir
VG

^^ Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Now in right-side pane, you'll see some keys. Post their name here.
denoir

Thanks, these are the keys you requested:

ClearRecentDocsOnExit
NoDriveTypeAutoRun
NoSharedDocuments

denoir
Eric

im using aero 48. so i tried to replace the shell file in that folder..but when i tried i got this message "cannot copy shellstyle: the requested operation cannot be performed on a file with a user-mapped section open"

what do i do now?

(thanks very much in advance...:))
VG

^^ Please check the PS information given at last in following topic:

http://www.askvg.com/download-windows-7-new-light-blue-shellstyle-left-common-tasks-for-windows-xp/

@denoir
I didnt find any entry which can cause this problem. Please also post DWORD values present under following keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
HKEY_USERS\.default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Roshin

hey dude i have a problem this is how it appears in my pc
http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/1605/20090327070624.jpg
i restarted many time i also formatted my computer but it is still the same
i have framework and i also tried uninstalling and reinstalling many times also in different folder but still the same PLEASE HELP!!:(( i really want to fix it....
Roshin

hey i fixed the problem but now the thing is there is an extra space caused of the seperator but i tried to remove it i cant se now it looks like this
the unzoomed way: http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/5298/20090327075545.jpg
the zoomed way: http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6842/20090327075546.jpg
so what i want is to remove the extra space is there any way to do that please help as soon as u get this...:((
VG

^^ Right click on the toolbar and select "Lock toolbar". It should solve the problem.