In Longhorn the “Details Pane” was shown at Top but now in Windows Vista its shown on bottom. Many ppl still like the good old top details pane like shown in my following theme:
New AeroVG Theme for Windows Vista
So here I’m posting a detailed tutorial for changing the “Details Pane” location from Bottom to Top in Windows Vista:
1. We’ll have to edit “%windir%\System32\Shell32.dll” file. So first take ownership of this file using my following tutorial:
Add Take Ownership Option in File / Folder Context Menu in Windows Vista
2. Now open the file in Resource Hacker.
3. Goto “View -> Find Text” (or press Ctrl
4. Now type following String in textbox:
layoutpos=”bottom”
5. Click on “Find Next” button and it’ll show the line containing this text.
6. You have to just replace “bottom” word with “top“.
7. When you have done, click on “Compile Script” button.
8. Now press “F3” key and it’ll show the next line containing the same text. Again do the same mentioned in 6th step.
9. Remember! You have to replace “bottom” word with “top” only in following locations:
3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 20, 21
10. If you also want to show the Details Pane at Top in Browse/Save/Open dialog boxes, then replace “bottom” word with “top” in 27 and 28 keys too.
11. That’s it. You have done. Now save the file and restart your system to take affect.
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surya said:
it is prompting that you need permission and tryagain
surya said:
It is prompting that cannot create file in system32\shell32
VG said:
You’ll have to take ownership of file before editing it. Look at the “Add Take Ownership” topic in “Windows Vista” section.
surya said:
thank you vg
blue2107 said:
when i type in the text it says that it can’t be found?
VG said:
^^ What exactly did you type?
Ronald said:
Dear Vishal,
I have taken ownership of the shell32.dll file and have made the suggested changes, and saved it successfully. I restarted and was dismayed to see no change at all. Do I now need to install your theme in order to get the same style windows as above or is there maybe another workaround you know but has not been discussed here. I have verified the changes to the shell32.dll file so i know it is correct according to your directions.
VG said:
^^ Is the default details pane showing at top in your Explorer?
Ronald said:
Dear Vishal,
I have got the beautiful details pane right where it is shown on your preview and now i can enjoy your Theme. Thank you
Ronald said:
Dear Vishal,
I feel pretty stupid not having that checked out already. here is a picture Great theme and I love the transparent title bar
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii286/superduperusername/desktopthankyou.jpg
VG said:
You are welcome.
Cristiano said:
Hi Vishal,
I’ve followed this tutorial step by step, info panel is now on top, but that causes a strange issue: I’m actually unable to play MP3 with Windows Media Player (”can’t play media” message appears)…how is that possible?!? What can I do to resolve this problem?!? I don’t think I made errors modding the file with ResHack, I’ve repeated the procedure for three times!
Help please!!!!
Cristiano said:
I forgot to say that I run Windows Vista SP1 RTM, italian language
Ronald said:
Dear Cristiano,
did you do a reboot after all reshacking? what version of WMP do you have?
make sure your folder options are all compatible. make sure you check your folder view options under organize drop down menu. make sure you have all your updates WMP and Vista. Try undoing everything and see if you still have the problem. that might help you pinpoint whether or not it was something associated with this tweak.
Ronald said:
Dear Cristiano,
Have you installed the AeroVG theme ? Are you using this with VisatGlazz? If so uninstall it and use Tuneup Utilities 2008 to apply that theme. I have no experience with Sp1.
http://www.askvg.com/new-aerovg-theme-for-windows-vista/
VG said:
@Cristiano
This problem has nothing to do with moving Details Pane at Top. Its some other problem. I’ll advise you to install K-lite Mega Codec Pack in your Windows. It can solve the problem.
Cristiano said:
Thanks for your answers!
But…if I put back the original (non modded) shell32.dll, MP3 playback comes back regular!!! So it’s not a codec issue, but something related with shell32 editing…
With modded shell32.dll, also, my Sound Blaster X-Fi refuses to play sounds in 5+1, it works in stereo (2 speakers) only!!! That’s really incredible….
Again, all comes back to normality when I put the original shell32.dll file!!!
I’ve manually edited (with ResHack) the original shell32.dll founded on my windows\system32 dir, so it’s surely of the right version for my system!!!
@Ronald: I’m running SP1, so I don’t use VistaGlazz but Uxtheme patch coming from www.withinwindows.com !
I can’t figure out why all these damn things can happen
VG said:
Thats really weird cause I never faced any such issue. I have no idea at all.
Cristiano said:
VG, I saw that someone else has similar problems…please read the reply to your thread on Winmatrix from user “Apogeo” ( http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=16107 )
Ronald said:
COMPUTERS RUN ON MAGIC saying that :
i bet you got gremlins,
joey said:
after you open it, it wont find layoutpos=”bottom” …. help please… i really wanna do this but it wont work…
Ronald said:
Dear joey,
Make sure you are opening the right file, and also scroll down to the UI files to be altered 3,4,5,6,19,20,21 and see if you find it it. The reason you cant find it is because it is not the proper file. how are you opening it by the reshack open menu or going to the file directly and then choosing to open it with reshack. try both ways.
joey said:
PLEASE HELP! i downloaded Resource hacker… and i put the registry thing in … i open up the find bar thing, i copy and paste layoutpos=”bottom” AND STILL IT DOES NOT POP UP! PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD HELP!
Ronald said:
Dear joey,
what did you see when you opened shell32.dll in the system32 folder and then scrolled down to UIFILE. File #’s 3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 20, 21 will have the layoutpos=”bottom” in them. to do a ctrl+f function highlight the #3 and then start your search. Make sure you have proper ownership of the file as well as that may cause you to not be able to see it’s intire contents. You will need ownership regardless in order to make changes to it and save it properly. Good Luck and stay calm
VG said:
@Joey
I’ll advise you type manually layoutpos=”bottom” in the find box instead of pasting the string.