[Software] Uxtheme MultiPatcher, Updated 2/9/2006, 2:09 Options

[hamesh]

File Name: Uxtheme MultiPatcher
File Submitter: hamesh
File Submitted: 28 Jul 2004
File Updated: 17 Jul 2008
File Category: Software

Multi-Patcher is a little program that patches your uxtheme.dll file to allow the loading of unsigned Windows XP Themes and XP Visual Styles, like all of those found in our Themes Gallery. It supports the original release of XP, SP1, SP2 and SP3, XP 64bit plus Windows Server 2003.

Multi-Patcher 6.0 features include:

*Includes themes services which allow you to use visual styles in Windows Server 2003 in the wizard but you can also turn it on or off too during restore.
*Operation system detection script prevents running the patch again without restarting.
*Setup CD detection script.
*Supports Windows XP (original release and SP1, SP2 and SP3), XP 64bit plus Windows Server 2003.
*Users can restore the previous uxtheme.dll file by running the patch again.

Multi-Patcher is like an evolved PatchXP, with support for more Windows versions, error checking and the easy restore feature is a big plus (as service packs won't install if they sense a patched uxtheme file).

You'll still need to load themes and visual styles manually or use a third-party program, but we've tested it on a number of systems and configurations and highly recommend it over the old patchers.

When you run Multi-Pather, ignore any pop-up windows prompting you to enter your Windows XP CD. Just reboot when prompted.

If you don't want to mess around with all these manual patches, just get TuneUp Utilities 2008. It rocks.

Click here to download this file

[ksc218]

I havent gotten sp2 yet and used patch xp a while ago so do i need to revert back to the default xp skin before i install it? and at the top it says 1.5.1 works with sp2 but in these posts says it doesnt, so what do i need to do to prepare for sp2

[hamesh]

Yeah, best to run the old patcher again to restore your original uxtheme.dll file. Then switch back to the default Windows XP Theme. You're then good to install SP2.

Once SP2 is installed, grab the update Multi-Patcher (just posted 2.0) and run it to re-patch your system and that should do it :)

[ksc218]

One more question does this work on xp pro and if not does what would i use to patch my other computer with xp pro. also whath happens if the old patch is still in effect when you upgrade? is the computer still usuable?

[hamesh]

Yep. Works with XP Home and Pro, as well as Media Edition I believe.

You may not necessarily need to 'unpatch' first. With SP1, I recall the upgrade cancelled saying it couldn't proceed because the file was changed. I didn't have any troubles upgrading to SP2. But I did have to re-patch afterwards.

[hamesh]

If you can't patch your uxtheme.dll file, you can simply replace it with one that has already been patched. Grab Replacer here.



To ensure there are no backups of uxtheme.dll that Windows might find and use to overwrite the new one with, show system and hidden files and protected operating system files in Windows Explorer and then search for uxtheme.dll. Rename all that are found EXCEPT for the one in c:\windows\system32 - then run Replacer and reboot. That should do it for you.

[glowworm]

Just downloaded multipatcher 2.0.When I try to unzip I get the following: "The compressed (zipped) folder is invalid or corrupted". I"m new to this sort of thing and would be gratefull for some advice.I did notice in another post that there was some mention of an exe. download? I should also mention that this a new computer with SP2 installed.I did try an earlier version of the multipatcher and whether this has caused a problem I'm not sure.I tried setting a theme from lightstar.But although icons appeared okay the taskbar and start menu,submenus etc have the classic appearance.

[glowworm]

I see in an earlier post from hamesh-
Rename all that are found EXCEPT for the one in c:\windows\system32 - then run Replacer and reboot. That should do it for you. (What exactly do you rename uxtheme.dll with)

[hamesh]

I just replaced the .zip with the .exe version for any experiencing that Internet Explorer bug that corrupts zip files.

Oh. Doesn't matter what you renamed the backup uxtheme.dll(s) to. uxtheme.bak is fine. The idea is that you still have the backups to restore if anything goes wrong :)

[glowworm]

I just replaced the .zip with the .exe version for any experiencing that Internet Explorer bug that corrupts zip files.

Oh.  Doesn't matter what you renamed the backup uxtheme.dll(s) to.  uxtheme.bak is fine.  The idea is that you still have the backups to restore if anything goes wrong :)

Where do you get the " exe " version from? I take it then that the 5 uxtheme.dll entries can be changed to uxtheme.bak and the 1 uxtheme.bak is left as is. Many thanks.

[hamesh]

Oh, just head back up to the top of this topic for the .exe version of Multi-Patcher.

Yes, you're okay to rename all uxtheme.dll files you find but don't rename the one in c:\windows\system32. That's the 'live' one.

[glowworm]

Oh, just head back up to the <a href="index.php?showtopic=8767">top of this topic</a> for the .exe version of Multi-Patcher.

Yes, you're okay to rename all uxtheme.dll files you find but don't rename the one in c:\windows\system32.  That's the 'live' one.

Just downloaded and ran the exe.then it asked for the SP2 disc.Unfortunately I don't have this disc as SP2 was preinstalled by the vendor.What next? I can if all else fails, do a clean install which will take me back to SP1.I wonder if this the best route even though I would have to re-install all the MS updates.(on dialup) :huh:

[hamesh]

Haven't come across that, but the folks that made Multi-Patcher might not have taken pre-installed SP2 system into account...

Try Replacer instead. Rather than patch your uxtheme.dll file, it just replaces it with a pre-patched version. Read the included instructions and it's easy.

[lucifer]

hey when i try to install the neowin UXtheme muilti patcher it comes up with windows NT setup files dectected could someone please tell me wat to do

[lucifer]

im running windows home edition SP 2

[DarkusFoolus]

Ok then, i installed the multi patcher with no probs whatsoever, but now, how do i go about installing a visual style? i got one but what to do with it Now i'm glad no one has yet replied as i cant be called a Noob or anything like that, figured it out with no trouble, it's simple really in it