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

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In this tutorial, we'll tell you about various system files in Windows Vista, which can be hacked using Resource Hacker to change the look of Windows Vista dialog boxes, menus, login screen, boot screen and many other things. So here we start the tutorial:

Approx. all Windows Vista system icons -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll

Login Screen Background -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll

Startup Windows ORB animation images -> %windir%\System32\authui.dll

Startup Windows ORB Sound -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll

Shutdown/ lock, etc. buttons in Startmenu -> %windir%\Explorer.exe -> Bitmap -> 7051 - 7056

Windows Version Image in About Windows dialog box -> %windir%\Branding\Basebrd\basebrd.dll

Windows Version Image in Login Screen bottom -> %windir%\Branding\Basebrd\basebrd.dll

Classic Start button flag and Classic Start menu left side image -> %windir%\Branding\Shellbrd\shellbrd.dll

Control Panel Left Sidebar Bottom Image -> %windir%\System32\Shell32.dll -> Bitmap -> 632

Back & Forward, Search, Stop, Refresh buttons in Windows Explorer -> %windir%\System32\browseui.dll

Back & Forward, Search, Stop, Refresh, Progress animation, tabs, tab close, etc. buttons in Internet Explorer -> %windir%\System32\ieframe.dll

Welcome Center Images -> %windir%\System32\oobefldr.dll

Boot Screen background image in "No GUI boot" condition -> %windir%\System32\en-US\Winload.exe.mui

Windows Media Player Resources -> %windir%\System32\wmploc.dll

Above are the new system files/locations in Windows Vista which were not present in earlier versions, like XP. But if you want to change look of various dialog boxes like RUN, Progress, System Properties, Startmenu and Taskbar Properties, etc. Then you'll have to edit the same system files which you used to edit in Windows XP. The difference is, now those files don't contain the resources but their .MUI files do.

So if you want to edit RUN dialog box which was present in "%windir%\System32\Shell32.dll" file in XP, is now present in "%windir%\System32\en-US\Shell32.dll.mui" file in Windows Vista.

So in following list, we'll tell you where all those files are present in Windows Vista:

All those files are present in any of following 2 locations:

%windir%\en-US\
%windir%\System32\en-US\

To know about those various system files containing dialog boxes, menus, etc. resources, please visit following link:

List of Files to be hacked using Resource Hacker

List of Resource Locations to be Hacked Using Resource Hacker

All those file names and resource locations are same in XP and Vista.

Other similar articles that may interest you:

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

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John Marshall

How do I make sure the file is not corrupt? John
Carrie

This is something I have not ran across yet (seems cool, thanks!). My question would be, is this something that would allow me to put the everyday (tried and true , been there forever, why the HECK did microsoft take it outta vista) DELETE button back in windows explorer? I would be curious to know, and thanks for feedback!
:)
VG

^^ Sadly its not possible yet.
Samuel

Hello, while theming vista, I have come across a resource that I cannot find anywhere. On the start menu, to the right of the hibernate and lock buttons is a little arrow that links to more power options. I can't find this resource anywhere. I've looked in explorer.exe where the other power buttons are, but that arrow button is nowhere to be found. Have you found this button before? And if you have can you please share this secret.
VG

^^ As far as I remember, its in Explorer.exe file otherwise it should be stored in the msstyles file. Sorry but I'm on Windows 7 now so can't help much in finding the exact location.
Samuel

Alright found it. Instead of being with the other power buttons in explorer.exe, they were in the msstyle. And guess what? They have the button broken down into two images (which is why I didn't find it in the first place), an image for the button states, and an image for the little arrow glyph. What an intelligent design :P Well thanks anyways, I had to use U.K. Intel's resource finder theme.
VG

^^ Glad to know you found it. Can you share the exact resource numbers here so that AskVG readers can get benefit with it?
John Marshall

What can I do with stringtables? Can I access fonts so they are shown in the outputs? possibly change their colours? John
Desperate

With Vista Home Premium SP2, changes made to shell32.dll.mui don't give any effect.

I've tried to gray up / remove some desktop context menu entries like "View" , "Sort by", "Customize" with no luck.

Any idea?
Desperate

Uhm, i found out that shell32.dll.mui affects only classical context menu, not the new WPF menu.

So, how to change it?