In this tutorial, I'll tell you about various system files in Windows Vista, which can be hacked using Resource Hacker / Resource Tuner to change the look of Windows 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 ORB animation images -> %windir%\System32\authui.dll
Startup 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, I'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 in Windows XP, Vista and 7 to be Hacked Using Resource Hacker
All those file names and resource locations are same in XP and Vista.
I hope you guys will like it.
This article was posted in Resource Hacker, Windows Vista.
Subscribe to RSS Feed |
Email Newsletter |
More Articles
Related Articles
Popular Articles
- Frequently Asked Problems with Solutions
- Is Your System Infected with a Virus / Spyware / Adware / Trojan?
- Transform Windows Vista into 7 without using Customization pack
- Transform Windows XP into 7 without using Customization pack
- Transform Windows XP into Vista without using Customization pack
- All About Resource Hacker in a brief Tutorial
- Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows 7 Super Fast
- Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows Vista Super Fast
- Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows XP Super Fast
- All Kinds of Restrictions for Windows XP, Vista and 7
John Marshall
Should the png file itself for the orb be 300X300 pixels of the background for the screen? John
Could someone please help me? John
Kunal
Hey man. I'm trying to hack imageres.dll. It won't let me save because it says it cannot create the file. There is no _original. The WFP switcher doesn't seem to work with Vista...what shouild I do?
VG
^^ Take ownership of the file. Then save the file at some other location. At last rename default file to some other name like "imageres_bak.dll" and copy new modified file to the same folder. restart your system and Windows will start using the new file.
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
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?