A fix for making Windows 7 Blinds compatiable with Windows 8 and 8.1

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/170375-oldnewexplorer-make-your-81-explorer-work-like-win78-one/
from WinCustomize Forums

Ok I stumbled upon this accidently but it seems as though I may have found the solution for Some Windowblinds compatibility issues. First I must say that more testing should be done to make sure this is a workaround without issues but I have tested it and so far it has worked for me without causing any problems to my OS.

I had noticed that when applying some of the older Windowblinds skins made for Windows 7 that there would be several issues. One issue would be that the start menu right hand side places list would be extend past the main frame. I had encountered that with several Windowblinds skins. I came upon a small software named oldnewexplorer that when I ran and rebooted fixed this issue. 

What is this software?

OldNewExplorer is the Windows 8.1 (and Windows 8) shell extension / tweaker which can undo "improvements" to file browsing made in newer Windows version. Everything is optional for your liking.

 

- Restore devices / drives grouping

Everything is 'Devices and drives'. That's stupid! O-N-E can restore grouping which made sense in Win7/8.

- Restore libraries / remove folders

Remove all those folders which were unoptionally added into Windows 8.1 This PC folder and put the libraries back to their place, without registry hacking / breaking apps.

- Restore command bar / remove Ribbon

Because some people consider it an abomination.

- Restore details pane at bottom

Same reason; reclaim useful horizontal space.

- Improve styling

Get rid of some Win7 stuff here and there; improve styling with some built-in visual styles.

For themers / skinners, O-N-E can help to override a lot of hardcoded styling in Windows 8, maybe even Start screen!

 Now I am not saying this is a complete fix. I have noticed that there can still be some font color issues however this might be a good place to start for some blind compatibility issues. Further testing should b done and I am telling you to use this software at your own risk. It is clean so no worries with viruses but I can only speak for myself in saying that it has not caused me any OS problems. 

 

33,015 views 13 replies +1 Loading…
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Something about the 'Potentially Dangerous' part and its a test version, pre beta perhaps? I agree with the 'use at own risk' part.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

All I can say Uvah is that it has not gave me any problems and I have been using it for a few days. I would not have posted it if I thought it was not safe. Also it was made for Windows 8.1 but I am actually using it on 8.

 

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Just installed this on a wim,trusting Crooks....

-Guys...I must say THIS IS F***IN EPIC !!! 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5*

Took away all that "White shit" from 8!!!

 

JR CROOKS THANXXX ! \o/ \o/

Edit: My appologiez to Jafo for my almost foul language,but...really want to emphasize the impact this had for me !

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Installed and works great, does not interfere with any Stardock products either. Thanks for the info JC! :)

 

I can actually stand to look at the explorer interface again!

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hmmm...

 

Phoon will have fun here.  :beer:

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Guys you are welcome, glad it is working for you. I still must stress to use at own risk. I took a risk and installed it and it has been fine but if after reading "use at own risk" you install it and find it causes some unwanted changes don't come after me with a pitchfork. I can not guarantee how this will behave with everyone's system. Best advice I can give if you want to install it is to create a restore point first.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting JuniorCrooks, reply 6

Best advice I can give if you want to install it is to create a restore point first.
End of JuniorCrooks's quote

Good advice.  :thumbsup:

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting LightStar, reply 4

Installed and works great, does not interfere with any Stardock products either. Thanks for the info JC!

 

I can actually stand to look at the explorer interface again!
End of LightStar's quote
5* 5* 5* k6 k6 k6 :sun:

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

it wont hurt if people knew what this program does.

it patches some of your core system files. nothing wrong with that, people do this probably since the first operating system ever has been released. but one thing you have to be aware is that any Windows update can lead to unexpected behaviour.

that is still no real reason to be scared. usually the only thing that could happen is that your changes are nullified, and you'll have to patch the files again (which might require an updated version of this program).

still, the possibility that your system becomes unusable does exist. this has never happened when patching uxtheme.dll for using custom msstyles, but as this program patches files required by explorer.exe consequences will be more serious. nothing sfc /scannow shouldn't be able to fix though.

depending on your local legislation this might also void your Windows warranty. i don't think that matters on a private computer, but if you do any customization in a corporate environment you don't deserve any better anyways in my opinion.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have done updates. It is still working fine for me.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting JuniorCrooks, reply 10

I have done updates. It is still working fine for me.
End of JuniorCrooks's quote
And Schaweeet it is ! :sun:

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting JuniorCrooks, reply 10

I have done updates. It is still working fine for me.
End of JuniorCrooks's quote

yeah, as it wrote, problems are really unlikely to happen. just take care on updates that involve explorer.exe.

would be nice if the fud that is so common here about file patching or resource hacking would come to an end at this place.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting moshi, reply 12

Quoting JuniorCrooks, reply 10
I have done updates. It is still working fine for me.

yeah, as it wrote, problems are really unlikely to happen. just take care on updates that involve explorer.exe.

would be nice if the fud that is so common here about file patching or resource hacking would come to an end at this place.
End of moshi's quote

I agree with you Moshi. If it is done right, ie. restore points, backups etc. I do not worry about it. I remember certain msstyle themes replacing even the explorer.exe file completely but I was never worried because I renamed the original and backed it up. I never had any problems, not saying there can't be but sometimes I don't mind experimenting and even taking chances. I keep things well backed up and the way I see it the worst case scenario is I have to do a refresh or even a reinstall. A pain in the ass perhaps if you have to do it but not the end of the world.