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

NOTE: This method replaces default system files, so use it at your own risk and if anything goes wrong, restore the backup files.

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 Link (32-bit)

Download Link (64-bit)

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 "SOFTWARE_Glass Colorization.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 "AUDI-1980"...

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This article was posted in Windows Vista.

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100 Comments

ajmal

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
ajmal

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
mem

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?
AgentDGW

when i go to the color thing with the right-click its says error 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? PLEASE HELP
Kay

sir VG I'm so frustrated that the Take Ownership doesn't work very well with my laptop...
some of them susses and some are error... can anybody share their opinion and suggestion what should i do
saofi

i cant rename themecpl.dll... to themecpl_backup.dll.
help me!!!
Perdepiel south africa

moegoes !!!

there is a problem with the registry undo the changes to the registry the file is kak
make me suffer for 3 day's
Saofi

i already turn off UAC but still cannot rename themecpl.dll
please help me urgently...
please...
Kevin

I didn't got the transparency option, how to make the transparency link available? mine is Vista. thanks
dhananjay singh

solid yaar bhut acha ha yaar thnks boss