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Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
I keep thinking this issue has been brought up before but I can’t seem to find it in Search. So, please forgive the repetition if that is the case.
The problem is with certain radio boxes, etc., being displayed very small. I thought the fix was just enabling an item in Internet Options, but I can’t see which would effect this. I’ve included a screenshot which should suffice to show the problem.
What is this “visual style” and how do you control it?
Dave,
1. I’m not which specific visual style I was using, although it was a new one I was trying out.
2. As to how do I control it…
a. To use 3rd-party visual styles other than Aero in Vista you need to “patch” the uxtheme.dll. The best and safest method for doing this I have found is with VistaGlazz
b. Another very helpful add-on utility which displays the names of all added visual styles is here w/ download link: DeskHack 1.1 for Vista… and here are some better Screenshots.
c. There are lots of places where you can get these visual styles for Vista but most of them simply link to Deviantart.com. Here is a direct link to Vista visual styles.
You can find that section by clicking on “Browse” near the top left on the main page and then clicking the following in the dropdown menu: “Customization > Skins & Themes > Windows Vista Utilities > Visual Styles”.
So far, my favorite of them all is one named, ProjectX 2.
Visual Styles are a nice FREE alternative to Stardock’s Windowblinds, which I also have. So, if you are bored with Aero and would like a nice change to your system, try these visual styles. There are literally thousands to choose from. 
Lastly, installation of most visual styles simply entails copying the visual style’s folder to C:WindowsResourcesThemes. After you choose a nice wallpaper, icon set, etc., you can then go to “Personalize > Themes” and save the combination, naming it appropriately to the same “Themes” folder. Then you can simply return to the “Themes” section and choose it from that dropdown menu instead of having to go to “Personalize > Window Color and Appearance > Open classic appearance properties for more color options”, which then opens the visual styles dialog window to choose the visual style.
Hey… you asked!! 
Since one MUST hack their system, tells me that this program is NOT 100% Windows 7 compliant.
I will stay away from it.
1. All the information I provided as clearly stated is for VISTA … NOT Windows 7. Doubtless, the creators of VistaGlazz will come out with a Win 7 version in the near future.
2. “Hack their system”… yes, this involves the replacing of 2 or 3 files which are first backed up. It’s no major deal whatsoever. In fact if you have changed ANYTHING on your system, you can say you “hacked” it. WinBubble is a “hacking” utility for Vista as was/is TweakUI for Win 98 and XP.
3. Once the relevant files are backed up and replaced, adding a visual style is as I also stated clearly, just a matter of copying a folder to C:WindowsResourcesThemes. To remove it you simply delete the folder. There is no “installation” involved.
This type of GUI changing has been going on since Win 98 days and perhaps before.
Hundreds of thousands enjoy using visual styles in XP, Vista and now Windows 7. And, there are similar GUI changers for MAC too.
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