List of Resource Locations in Windows XP, Vista and 7 to be Hacked Using Resource Hacker

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NOTE: For Windows Vista and 7, edit the MUI files instead of the DLL and EXE files as mentioned in following 2 tutorials: Link 1, Link 2

Here are a few common GUI changes/hacks, which most of the people want to make in Windows. In this tutorial, we'll tell you the exact location of these UI stuff, you want to change.

You need to open the mentioned files in Resource Hacker tool and then go to the mentioned resource location:

Changing look of RUN Dialog Box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1003 -> 1033.

Changing Progress Dialog Box (The box which appears while Copying/pasting/deleting stuffs)

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1020 -> 1033.

Changing look of Open With box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1063 -> 1033 & Dialog -> 1070 -> 1033.

Changing look of Classic Logoff dialog box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1071 -> 1033.

Changing look of Drive Properties box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1080 -> 1033 & Dialog -> 1081 -> 1033.

Changing look of New Logoff dialog box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1089 -> 1033.

Changing look of the box, which appears when Windows asks to select application/search with web service to open the UNKNOWN file type

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1091 -> 1033.

Changing look of Autoplay box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1119 -> 1033.

Changing look of Folder Customize box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1124 -> 1033.

Changing look of Windows Default CD Writing Wizard

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1125 to 1138 -> 1033.

Changing look of Classic Shutdown dialog box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 8226 -> 1033.

Changing look of About Windows dialog box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 14352 -> 1033.

Changing look of Format Drive dialog box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 28672 -> 1033.

Changing look of Scandisk dialog box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 28800 -> 1033.

Changing look of Desktop tab in Desktop Properties box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 29952 to 29956 -> 1033.

Changing look of Folder Options box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 29959 & 29960 -> 1033.

Changing look of DOS Properties box

Open %windir%\System32\shell32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 32768 - 32885 -> 1033.

Changing look of Taskbar & Start Menu Properties box

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: Dialog -> 6 to 1135 -> 1033.

Changing look of Windows Security box, which appears when we press <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del> keys while Welcome Screen is Disabled

Open %windir%\System32\Msgina.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1800 -> 1033.

Changing look of Shutdown Reason UI box

Open %windir%\System32\Msgina.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 2200 -> 1033.

Changing look of New Shutdown dialog box

Open %windir%\System32\Msgina.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 20100 -> 1033.

Changing look of Shutdown Timer box

Open %windir%\System32\WinLogon.exe file, and goto: Dialog -> 1300 -> 1033.

Changing look of System Properties box

Open %windir%\System32\Sysdm.cpl file, and goto: Dialog -> 41 to 4103 -> 1033.

Changing look of Choose Color box

Open %windir%\System32\Comdlg32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> CHOOSECOLOR -> 1033.

Changing look of Choose Font box

Open %windir%\System32\Comdlg32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 401 & 1543 -> 1033.

Changing look of Printer Properties box

Open %windir%\System32\Comdlg32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1538 & 1539 & 1546 -> 1033.

Changing look of Open/Save Dialog box

Open %windir%\System32\Comdlg32.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1547 * 1552 -> 1033.

Changing look of Many tabs in Desktop Properties box

Open %windir%\System32\ThemeUI.dll file, and goto: Dialog -> 1000 to 1017 -> 1033.

Changing look of Classic Programs Menu

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: Menu -> 204 -> 1033.

Changing look of Taskbar Context Menu

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: Menu -> 205 -> 1033.

Changing the Start button Text

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: String Table -> 37 -> 1033 -> 578 (For New Theme) & String Table -> 38 -> 1033 -> 595 (For Classic Theme).

Changing the Start Button Tool-Tip Text

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: String Table -> 51 -> 1033 -> 800.

Changing the Log off, Shutdown, Search, Help & Support, Run, etc. Text entries in New Start Menu

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: String Table -> 439 -> 1033.

Changing the Internet & E-Mail text in New Start Menu

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: String Table -> 440 -> 1033.

Changing the All Programs text in New Start Menu

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: String Table -> 515 -> 1033 -> 8226.

Changing Connect to, Control Panel, Favorites, My Recent Documents text entries in New Start Menu

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: String Table -> 515 -> 1033.

Changing Start Button Icon

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: Bitmap -> 143 -> 1033.

Changing Left-Side Image in Classic Start Menu

Open %windir%\Explorer.exe file, and goto: Bitmap -> 167 -> 1033.

NOTE: Here %windir% means C:\Windows\ folder. We assume that Windows is installed in C: drive in your system. If you installed Windows in some other drive, replace C: with the appropriate drive letter.

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This article was posted by VG in following section: Resource Hacker, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

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comrade

nice
Ramesh

Cool !!!
vaibhav

cool one....
VG

^^ Yep. Just select the string and delete it. Now if you want, you can insert another Label using "Insert Control" and can set its text to anything you want. ;)
akash

how do i rename windows start button
Shitij

hi again.. i was wondering whether its possible to apply a background to my computer and control panel screens... i did it successfully with the drive windows.. i.e. c:\ or d:\.. but can't find anything for my computer and control panel...
thanks...
VG

^^ Not possible. ;)
m4rtincornelis

how to make change picture icon in start menu, but the bacground is transparent like the original (windows -> the background is transparent ->pink color..)
Thank You.
XANTER

thank you vishal!!!!

keep on rock and rollin!!
Entermediate

HI Vishal..s ir possble to hide the menu bar in IE?

tnx..