[Update] Get Windows 7 Like “Color and Appearance” Tab in Windows Vista

NOTE: A few people faced problem while using the modified file, so use it at your own risk and if anything goes wrong, restore the backup file. Only English and French Windows users are advised to use this tweak.

As you know Windows 7 contains lots of new features along with redesigned existing Vista features. You can get more information about all Windows 7 features in following topic:

What’s New in Windows 7: A Small Review with Screenshots

One of such redesigned features in Windows 7 is new "Window Color and Appearance" tab in Desktop Properties. When you right-click on Desktop and select "Personalize" and then go to "Window Color and Appearance" tab.

By following this tutorial, you'll get the same Windows 7 "Window Color and Appearance" tab in Vista.

Before applying this tutorial:

After applying this tutorial:

As you can see the difference in the glassy images used for different colors.

So here is the tutorial:

1. First download following ZIP file and extract it:

Download Windows 7 "Color and Appearance" Tab for Vista

2. Now go to "%windir%\System32" folder and look for a file "themecpl.dll".

3. Once you find the file, take its ownership using following tutorial:

Add Take Ownership Option in File / Folder Context Menu in Windows Vista and 7

4. Now rename the file to some other name like "themecpl_backup.dll".

5. Copy the "themecpl.dll" file from downloaded ZIP file to "System32" folder.

6. Now go to "%windir%\System32\en-US" folder and look for a file "themecpl.dll.mui".

7. Once you find the file, take its ownership.

8. Now rename the file to some other name like "themecpl_backup.dll.mui".

9. Copy the "themecpl.dll.mui" file from downloaded ZIP file to "System32\en-US" folder.

10. At last run the "install.reg" file present in downloaded ZIP file.

11. That's it. Now restart your system and get ready to see the new Windows 7 "Color and Appearance" tab in Vista.

Thanks to pierdelp for creating this file...

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This article was posted in Windows Vista.

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100 Comments

Robero

Wow,this is excellent VG. So many choices of colours.Thankyou so much for sharing with us.
Nikolaj

Can i get a file for Danish Vista?
VG

^^ You can manually edit your danish themecpl.dll.mui file and modify it like the new one.
Nikolaj

Okay but what about themecpl.dll
VG

^^ Its same for all language versions.
doctor green

i cant use it in my comp, my comp is vista home basic. and after i do this tutorial, my an error occur in my comp, i cant use the color and appearance setting. how to make it back to default setting? when i click the restore reg, it cant back to nomal.
DHacker

i followed all the steps, but then i get an error saying there was a problem loading a pre set color and so there aren't any pre set colors. do you know what the problem is?
DHacker

but then i restore the registry and i get half of the new colors, but not that new second row of colors
Philo

Has this been fixed for Vista 64? Otherwise, trying to apply it will hose the system
Teleuqoy

Did not work for me, when I tried to personalize I would get a "page failed to load" error. I then realized this might only work on 32-bit and I'm 64. Had to system restore.

Dr. Green I would suggest system restore.