List of Windows XP System Files to be Hacked Using Resource Hacker

Here is a list of Windows XP system files, which can be edited using Resource Hacker to change the look-n-feel of Windows:

%windir%\System32\NToskrnl.exe : To change Windows Boot screen

%windir%\System32\Logonui.exe : To change Windows Login Screen

%windir%\System32\MSgina.dll : To change the text & background of Shutdown dialog box

%windir%\System32\Shell32.dll : To change a lot of things, like Progress dialog box (copying, deleting, etc.), Run dialog box, Context menu items, and many other things

%windir%\System32\Netshell.dll : To change flashing internet icon in system tray

%windir%\System32\Comdlg32.dll : To change the look of Open/Save dialog box, color box, print box, find & replace box, etc.

%windir%\System32\Comctl32.dll : To change the icons appearing in upper-right side of Open/Save dialog box.

%windir%\System32\Stobject.dll : To change volume icon & some other icons in system tray

%windir%\System32\mydocs.dll : To change My Documents icon

%windir%\System32\shdocvw.dll : To change Internet Explorer 6 icons and graphics

%windir%\System32\IEFrame.dll : To change Internet Explorer 7 icons and graphics

%windir%\System32\shimgvw.dll : To change image file icons, i.e., BMP, JPG, JPEG, GIF, etc

%windir%\System32\Sysdm.cpl : To change the System Properties window look

%windir%\System32\Winlogon.exe : To change the text, which you see in Login Screen, like applying user settings, logging off, shutting down, etc.

%windir%\Explorer.exe : To change Start button text, Programs Menu text (like Programs, Favorites, Documents, etc.)

%windir%\System32\browselc.dll : To change the Menu names in Windows Explorer as well as Internet Explorer

Windows XP Setup folder\I386\Winntbbu.dll : To change XP Setup look and text entries

This article was posted in Resource Hacker, Windows XP.

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72 Comments

~Ex

Hi VG, 1st of all, awesome work! Perhaps one of the most comprehensive tweaking site out there. I have a question though, do you know where the location of the bg of the Windows Explorer Task Pane using ResHack? I would like to change the background to match my entire scheme.
VG

You can find the BITMAPs in "Shellstyle.dll" file in "Luna" theme folder under "%windir%\Resources\Themes" folder.
John Marshall

Where is Do not turn off or unplug system and Installing Update %1 of %1? John
VG

^^ Its in "wuaucpl.cpl" file.
omid

hi.
I want To Change start menu name without open reshacker(with command line).
please help me friends.
VG

^^ Sorry but I don't think its possible.
Moonshine

Great job VG!! Your tweeks are right on the money. Now I have one for ya. ....... I'm trying ta change the blue background on the "Welcome" (not the log-on) screen that you see on XP's start, and on the shut-down screen to an image. I have used ResHacker to do some of the other mods you have mentioned and they've worked fine........ Thanx. Any ideas on this one? Keep up the great work.
VG

^^ To change welcome screen blue background, you'll have to edit "%windir%\System32\LogonUI.exe" file and to change Shutdown dialog box background image, you'll have to edit "%windir%\System32\msgina.dll" file.
Torrente

Hi, my first post here and I already need help.
I use Favorites panel (band) in Windows explorer (XP) for folders, something like Finder on Mac.
When you open Favorites band you can see two buttons "Add Favorite" and "Organize Favorites". I want to remove these huge "never use them buttons".
So is this possible? Great site btw!
VG

^^ Are you talking about the Favorite menu and its submenus? A screenshot will definitely help in understanding your query.