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



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Windows7logo.png

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:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Default_Personalization.jpg

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...



This article was posted in Windows Vista.

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93 Comments

  • hi VG first of all i tried what you said but when i go to the colour it says"there was an error loading a pre-set colour" please fix it for me

  • hi VG first of all i tried what you said but when i go to the colour it says"there was an error loading a pre-set colour" please fix it for me

  • I dunno anything about registry editor... can someone please explain how to use it to delete the 'swatches' folder and how to actually use it?

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