Windows 7 explorer backgrounds

from Stardock Forums

Hi,

I know that explorer folder tree background is not adjustable.

Now in Windows 7 you have more of those, library background and text colours, even the explorer file background in e.g. Word file open or save is now not from the skin and stays white.

Is this hardcoded into Windows 7 or is WindowBlinds and SkinStudio up to the task but the developers didn't take the time to include it?

Cause I find it a real bummer that SkinStudio doesn't go all the way.

Also in explorer when you push a folder dropdown in the top address bar, the text colour of the list is always black, where to change that?

Davy

skinstudio
3,305 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Changing this is a bit tricky for WindowBlinds skins. I don't know why since it could easily be changed on "regular" Vista/7 VS...

I've only found a way to change the "folder tree" background. Here it is:

- Go to file:///C:/Windows/Resources/Themes/Aero/Shell/NormalColor/ and take ownership of shellstyle.dll

- Open it with ResourceHacker and check the UIFILE > 1. Now, search the text "<ProperTreeHost"; you should see something like this:

Code: xml
  1. &lt;ProperTreeHost
  3. font="IconFont"
  5. background="themeable(gtc(PROPERTREE, 2, 0, 3821),  window)"
  7. foreground="windowtext"
  9. /&gt;

- replace background="themeable(gtc(PROPERTREE, 2, 0, 3821),  window)" to background="window"

- compile the script and save the file to your desktop folder.

- Look for the saved file in your desktop and drag it into C:/Windows/Resources/Themes/Aero/Shell/NormalColor

- Open WindowBlinds and apply the default Aero skin

- Now, apply your WindowBlinds skin and it should be ok.

 

Notes:

- There's still the vertical spliter that I've not been able to modify...

- This little hack is safe since it would match all skins

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

OK, I've finally found the splitter:

Look for something like

</style>

<style resid="saveappcontrolsstyle">

 

and just above </style>, replace the long line begining with <Sizer background=... with this one:

<Sizer background="window" /> <if SlidesUpAndDown="true"> <Sizer height="5rp" cursor="sizens" /> </if> <if SlidesUpAndDown="false"> <Sizer width="3rp" cursor="sizewe" /> </if> <if id="atom(PreviewPaneSizer)"> <Sizer background="window" /> </if> <if id="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)"> <Sizer background="window" borderthickness="rect(0rp,0rp,0rp,0rp)" /> </if> <if id="atom(ReadingPaneSizer)"> <Sizer background="window" borderthickness="rect(0rp,0rp,0rp,0rp)" /> </if> <if id="atom(ProperTreeExpandoSizer)"><Sizer background="window" bordercolor="buttonhighlight" borderstyle="solid" borderthickness="rect(0rp,1rp,0rp,1rp)" height="4rp" /> </if> <if id="atom(PreviewPaneSizer)"> <Sizer InitialSize="53" MinSize="53" ReservedSpace="170" FramePersistType="2" /> </if> <if id="atom(CommonItemDialogSizer)"> <Sizer InitialSize="100" MinSize="100" FramePersistType="2" /> </if> <if id="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)"> <Sizer InitialSize="160" MinSize="60" ReservedSpace="132" FramePersistType="2" ReservedMaster="atom(ReadingPane)" /> </if> <if id="atom(ProperTreeExpandoSizer)"><Sizer InitialSize="120" ReservedSpace="26" FramePersistType="2" InitialMaxxedOut="true" /> </if> <if id="atom(PreviewPaneSizer)"> <Sizer ExplorerVisibility="{43abf98b-89b8-472d-b9ce-e69b8229f019}" DisablingPolicy="{17067f8d-981b-42c5-98f8-5bc016d4b073}"/> </if> <if id="atom(ReadingPaneSizer)"> <Sizer ExplorerVisibility="{893c63d1-45c8-4d17-be19-223be71be365}" DisablingPolicy="{33dcce8d-b6f8-4b7a-ac93-45e301f956aa}" /> </if> <if id="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)"> <Sizer ExplorerVisibility="{cb316b22-25f7-42b8-8a09-540d23a43c2f}" /> </if> <if id="atom(ReadingPaneSizer)"> <Sizer InitialSize="260" MinSize="68" ReservedSpace="202" GrowTargetFirst="true" ReservedMaster="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)" FramePersistType="3" InitialVisibility="false" /> </if>

Offworld Trading Company