Can't change appearance of Windows

[Aeroboy]

Hi, this is a very odd problem i am facing. i can change the theme of the desktop. it's currently set to windows xp. But under the "appearance" tab, I can't change the "windows and buttons". it's stuck on windows classic. The windows XP option has disappeared from the drop down menu. So, everything looks like a mix of windows classic and windows xp. Can anyone help please?

 

[bcastner]

If the Windows XP Style choice isn't available, the Visual styles are implemented by the Themes service. If the service isn't running, Windows reverts to the classic Windows style, which doesn't rely on the Themes service.

To restore the Windows XP styles.

Start, Run, services.msc
Scroll down to and double click Themes
Set to Automatic under Startup type.
Click the Start button.

If that doesn't fix the problem, right-click My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Performance -- Settings.
Under the Visual Effects tab: "Use Visual Styles On Windows And Buttons" then click Apply, OK.

MS-MVP Wes Vogel has some notes that might help.

Restore Luna Theme -- Line 187. Right hand side

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Windows and buttons
If XP Professional, use Group Policy and check this setting...

Start | Run | Type: gpedit.msc | OK |

Navigate to >>>
User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control\Display\Desktop
Prevent selection of windows and buttons styles
Set to "Not configured".

Prevent selection of windows and buttons styles
[[Prevents users from changing the visual style of the windows and buttons displayed on their screens. When enabled, this setting disables the "Windows and buttons" drop-down list on the Appearance tab in Display Properties.]]

This registry key is what disables the "Windows and buttons" style control:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Value Name: NoVisualStyleChoice
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value Data: 0 or 1
0 = Windows and buttons Enabled
1= Windows and buttons Disabled

This fixes the Windows and buttons (visualstylefix.reg)
Line 214. Windows/Buttons Greyed-Out Appearance

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Read the instructions at the top.

Windows and buttons
[[Lists the visual styles that are available for the theme that is currently selected on the Themes tab. ]]

[[NOTE: You can change the look of individual items if you select Windows Classic style in the Windows and buttons list on the Appearance tab of Display Properties. (Right-click an empty area of your desktop, then click Properties, and then click the Appearance tab). If you select a visual style other than Windows Classic, that style determines the appearance of your menus, fonts, icons, and other Window elements. ]]

How to Change the Font, Size, and Colors of Desktop Items

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310543

1. You have an OEM version of Windows XP and the provider didn't include the Windows XP Luna theme nor did they include any new Windows and Buttons themes.

2. You are running the the Itanium (64-bit) version of Windows XP, which does NOT install the Theme service, and does NOT have the Windows XP Luna theme or any new Windows and Buttons themes.]] Only 'Classic Windows' is listed in the 'Windows and Buttons' drop-down list on the Windows XP Appearance tab:

http://www.jsifaq.com/SUBL/tip5700/rh5781.htm

Themes (Won't Load or only Windows Classic is listed)

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_t.htm#themes

See this also...
XP Display Properties Dialog & Information

http://www.tgtsoft.com/sb_help/xp.htm

____________________________
Users Helping Users

 

[Aeroboy]

Thanks for the tips! i tried changing all the options you mentioned, but what worked in the end, was just restoring the Luna theme from kelly's korner. Weird though, cuz the LUNA theme was still in the resources folder to begin with. maybe it was corrupted, but I don't know. guess some things are unexplainable.