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Submitted: February 7, 2010
File Size: 19.1 MB

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Dark Soft - big updatesby ~RajTheeban95

Customization / Skins & Themes / Windows 7 Utilities / Visual Styles 7

_{Hi everybody !

SP1 Compatible !
Others updates coming soon

----------------------------

WOW!! A Daily Deviation!
Thx u very much OtisBee !
What a great honor to see my work rewarded

----------------------------

Like promised here is the final and big update made for Dark Soft (formerly Transcendantal)
Something like 10 bugs fixed and 50 changes and improvements. The theme is now available in 2 big versions: Rounded (as in the screenshot) and squared (for big or little icons mode for the taskbar)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
. (If previously you had some difficulties to apply this visual style, re-downloaded, because the problem is fixed )
. If you use Vista you can find exactly the same theme for your OS here: [link]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I) About the theme

This theme, available for windows 7, has been inspired by the great creation of ~DaHLiA-7, Silent Night: [link] but also by the one style of ~DjabyTown

I decided to create this theme after discovering this awesome theme for iTunes, Silent Night. This has been a complete revelation, a real slap in the face.
But when i discovered this style, I realized immediately that I should make it as a visual style, for windows 7
This is not a port, because i had to imagine myself the major part of the interface.
Finally it took me 2 months

II) Installation

a) Condition:

For windows 7 (32 and 64 bits fully compatible)
For Aero mode
At first you must patch your system to use this theme: [link]
17,8 Mo

b) Contains:

- The visual style for windows 7 ( .theme, .msstyles file and the wallpaper): Dark Soft (rounded by default) or squared (for each 2 substyles: for big icons or little icons view)
- 4 System files for x64 and x86
- AeroBar.exe app
- "How to apply the theme file.txt"

c) Process:

AT FIRST BEFORE ANY CHANGE? DON'T FORGET TO MAKE A RESTORE POINT !

1) Download the visual style

2) Just extract this archive into: "yourdisk\Windows\resources\Themes" and apply it, you must get something like that:
yourdisk\Windows\resources\Themes\Dark Soft.theme
yourdisk\Windows\resources\Themes\Dark Soft (as a folder)
: -Method 1 : double-click on your favorite Dark Soft theme (for example "Dark Soft little icons.theme")
-Method 2 : right-click on desktop and select "personnalize" and choose this theme/ or with a visual style launcher, like Tune Up utilities, windows7 style buider or avestyler

3) install the 4 system files (x86 or x64): explorerframe.dll shell32, explorer.exe and timedatecpl :
a) with the app called "takecontrol.exe", take control of these differents files (launch this app, click on "browse", select the appropriate file and click on "take control"
b) open manually your explorer and rename this file like you want (e.g explorerframe.dll.backup)
c) in the same folder, move my own system file already edited (the one who included in the archive, select the version depending on your system: 86x or 64x)

Apply the "AeroBar.exe" file

4) Restart your PC and enjoy

Please read carefully all the comment and the question section: I will not answer the questions already asked

d) Tools used:

- Visual style editor : Windows 7 style builder
- Resource editor : Restorator 2007
- Image editor: Photoshop CS4

III) Notes

a) credit:

The credits go at first for Andreas Verhoven and all those who helped create this application
For ~DaHLiA-7 of course, the creator of this great theme, silent night that inspired me
to ~thepanda-x and ~ZEUSosX for his trick who allows to modify the explorer's background changing view (tiles, details, icon view etc)
To ~DjabyTown and ~StopDreaming i suggest you to use his awesome albook icons with this theme: as you can see, the result is breathtaking
Icons for the startmenu : [link] by ~chrfb
~neodesktop for his great wallpaper [link]
For all persons who gave me their opinion and suggestions and who will leave a

b) Permission:

You can share and use some parts of this theme. Feel free to publish this theme in your website or blog. But you must credit ~DaHLiA-7 and I. Thx u for your comprehension

IV) FAQ:

. Hey mate, for which OS is this theme ?
Windows 7. If you use Vista you find exactly the same theme for your OS here: [link]

. Hey mate, how to install this theme ?
Please read II) c)

. I try to install your theme, but it doesn't work
At first make your system is patched to apply any visual style : [link] . Your system files are patched but the problem remains ? Try to determine the cause of the problem. Apply another theme: if this theme works, so it's because of my theme. In this case, try to apply again the theme. Restart your PC. Try to apply it with Tune Up Utilities (the trial version works perfectly) .If the problem persists, leave a comment or send me a note explaining/detailing your problem. I will HELP u.

. I managed to apply your theme, but how to apply the 4 system files
Your can find a "read.me" file in the archive with all the necessaries explanations.
1) After creating a restore point, launch the "Take control.exe" application
2) Take the control of all these files: for example for "explorer.exe", select this file (letterofyourdisk\windows) and click on "take control"
3) close this app, and manually (by opening your explorer) search and rename the explorer.exe file of which you have just taken control (example: "explorer.exe.original")
4) Into this folder (letterofyourdisk\windows), move the explorer.exe file found in the archive (32 or 64 bits, you must choose according to the version of your system: the one OR the other one)
5) Do the same thing for the 3 others files
6) Restart your PC

. I managed to apply your theme and your system files but i found some "bugs"
Indeed, some bugs or inconveniences can be found (like the background for Word, completely dark, like the theme). It's one of the inconveniences when i use Windows7 style builder, the app used to create my theme: when i modify any part, often, this changes affects automatically others parts unwanted in the interface. In this case don't hesitate to leave a com and send me a note detailling completely the problem, with screenshots if possible. I will try to fix everything, if possible in the next update

. I really like your theme, and i would like to know if you can improve or change some parts
It depends : if the changes aren't many and remain faithful to the "spirit" of this theme, i'm ready to modify it locally.

. Which kind of wallpaper do you suggest to use with this theme ?
You can use the wallpaper included with the themes, "Wood" by ~neodesktop. You can also use "dark wallpapers" like in this screenshot, or "nature wallpapers" with an important lens blur effect which allows you to bring to light the dark and smooth aspect of this theme.

. Will you publish others "little" updates for this theme ?
Yes I'm working on a futur and another big updates for this theme

. Can you make a Vista version of this theme ?
Already done: [link]

. I like this theme, how to thank u ?
With a

. So, how to follow this deviation and your work generally ?
Adding me

Thanks you for your attention. You can post any comment, I will answer if i have time}

Daily Deviation

Given 2010-07-21

~RajTheeban95 is inviting you to "Join the Dark Side of Customization". so, embrace yourselves for getting soaked in to the Dark Soft - big updates!
well, any attempt to resist is futile anyhow. ( Featured by `OtisBee )

~MiAlicea Jan 11, 2013

Everytime i try to extract the archive to the correct location, it brings up a box and has diagnostic messages and it says can not open output file mydiskdrive\Windows\Resources\... and has that for every file. its 2 am so its probably a simple thing im overlooking. (im using 7-Zip to extract btw)

~Remix1121 Jan 10, 2013

Hi love the theme!! But i am having some problems. Hope someone can help me fix them thanks. [link] in this image the start menu is not themed and the space around the folder names etc and the expand, minimize and exit buttons on folders. I also have some white dots at the bottom of the folders, information down there is there but you can't see it unless you hoover the mouse over it.

[link] And in this [link] is another problem, when you have more then one folder open and pick between them the box is grey and you can't see name of the other folders.

~REPLOID Jan 7, 2013 Student General Artist

Awesome theme! really nice job~ I'm already using it

Many Thanks!

~phanbot Jan 3, 2013

I followed instructions to the letter but I still have default windows minimize and close buttons, window frames are default also.

~phanbot Jan 3, 2013

disregard, I fixed it, didn't have os correctly patched.

~Aukrixz Jan 1, 2013

Do you mind updating the theme for Windows 8?

~rumblef1sh Dec 12, 2012

Hey, thanks so much for such a comprehensive and well thought out VS. Love it!!

Installed correctly first time, no errors, very clear instructions, so thanks.

One comment/question: everything looks great with the exception of the two panes of the start menu, which retain their original Windows backgrounds. The "more programs" displays correctly, as does its explorer, but those two white bits spoil things.

Do I restart again, or is there something I've missed, or a patch available?

~rumblef1sh Dec 12, 2012

Hey, superb theme - many thanks for taking the time. Very thorough and well thought out - rare in a theme. Installed perfectly first time, thanks for the excellent instructions.

One comment/question: everything's correct with the exception of the panes in start menu, which retain their original Windows backgrounds. The "more programs" displays correctly, as does the explorer inside it, but those two white panes there really spoil what is otherwise the best theme I've found on here to date!

:0)

~Wispmage Dec 5, 2012 Student Interface Designer

I've got it working, the only problem for me is that the home button to the left of the start menu is sitting on the edge of it, not centered within it. Any suggestions?

*SkidsTheHedgehog Nov 27, 2012 Hobbyist Digital Artist

i read this but erm.. shouldn't there be a link to download this theme?

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