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

If you like this article, please share it with your friends and contacts on Google Plus, Facebook and Twitter using following buttons so that they can also enjoy the article:

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.

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"...

Other similar articles that may interest you:

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

If you enjoyed this article, you can subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox. Also check out our most popular articles and archive to read other interesting articles. If you have some news or tip to share, please send us.

Have You Checked Out Following Popular Articles?

Remiel

before I tried GKs solution I've deleted the swatches dir in the registry that I have clean entrys with "my" regfile
hispanico

It's possble you enclosed your reg file ??

Thank
Remiel

why ? its the same content like my own which I have created. the only other thing is that i have created a reg file on my machine which i have executed. :)
Kraishan

Hey Guys, I have tried this twice. I used ' install reg' in the first time and ended up with the same error ' loading a pre-set colour'. The second time was without using the ' install reg' and ended up with something similar to windows seven colour and appearance, apart from the fact that there was only one line of colours. The problem then is in the 'install reg' file. I am not sure if we can use resource hack to change or edit this reg file, i mean the version and some other stuff to get it work on vista. As for Remiel, Can you please show us exactly what you did to get the second line of colours - please do it step by step to let us follow you correctly. thanks in advance.
Se7en

Remiel, I doubt many people here understand your technical terms.

Please do a brief step by step guide.

Thanks
Remiel

1.) I opened the install.reg and copied 8 color settings to a new text document.
2.) I saved my textdocument as e.g.: myinstall.reg
3.) I have deleted the swatches "folder" in the registry ( to have a clean way )
4.) I imported myinstall.reg

5.) i opend my color and app. tab : I have the correct color names to color shemes in one row

6.) now I tested out how much swatches I can use without get an error:
• I copy the 9. color sheme from the install.reg and paste it into myinstall.reg, then I applied it again - and I got the 9. color sheme in my color and app tab.

7.) I do this for the rest of the shemes and so I got everey new color sheme ...

My sys: Windows Server 2k8 EE x86-64
things I have modified:

system32\themecpl.dll
system32\de-DE\themecpl.dll.mui

syswow64\themecpl.dll
syswow64\de-DE\themecpl.dll.mui
Someone

Does the Themes work for 64 bit? I recieved a Page Failed to Load error. Please help me!
kraishan

AHHH .. IT IS DONE FINALLY...LOL
Shirou

Dosn't working :/
krishvanth

works fine! and i didn't even bother with the restarting! unfortunately i miss the old cols a bit now... esp graphite... :( ... thanks for the wonderful tip anyway..! guess i'll just make graphite appear by myself...! :)