UXTHEME.DLL Pack

The UXTHEME.DLL Pack is a cool tool for anyone looking to customize their Microsoft Windows XP setup. With this pack, you can patch your system and use any theme you want! If for some reason the UXTHEME.DLL Pack doesn't work out, there are other options you can explore. Check out the UXTheme Patch For Windows XP SP2 Final, or give Style XP a shot. You might also want to look into the Uxtheme Multi-patcher, the SP3 UxTheme Patcher, or the Universal UXTheme Patcher.

Why Use UXTHEME.DLL Pack?

Microsoft only included three themes with Windows XP, plus the default Luna theme. After that, they didn't add more themes, which is where third-party options come in. There are tons of great themes available online that really shake things up compared to what Microsoft offers! However, since these themes aren't supported by default, you'll need a patch for the uxtheme.dll file.

Patching Your System Safely

The UXTHEME.DLL Pack comes with two versions and methods for patching: one for the original Windows XP (no service pack) and another for SP1. Just a heads up though—this process could make your system stop working if you're not careful! So definitely back up your original DLL file first to avoid having to reinstall everything.

How to Get Started with UXTHEME.DLL Pack

If you're running the first version of Windows XP (no SP), start in the `NO SP1` folder of the pack. This will quickly create a `uxtheme.pat` file in your System32 directory. It'll even let you know where it saved it when it's done! After this, just rename your current `uxtheme.dll` file as a backup, switch from PAT to DLL format, and restart your computer.

Patching with SP1 Folder

If you're using an SP1 version, head over to the `SP1` folder instead. Here, you'll find a patched DLL ready for you! Just back up your original file and swap it out with this one from UXTHEME.DLL Pack. Remember to rename all instances of `uxtheme.dll` on your hard drive too; otherwise, it might get replaced again when you reboot!

Consider Alternatives

This method can be tricky and might not be the fastest option out there. While UXTHEME.DLL Pack does what it's meant to do, keep in mind that it doesn't have patched versions for SP2 or SP3—so it's best suited if you're on pre-SP2 editions of Windows XP.