October 30th, 2006
Unlock a secret (free) Windows XP Theme
For a while I fooled around with WindowBinds, trying to get a decent theme that would make my XP interface look closer to Vista. After WindowBlinds seriously screwed up my laptop (I had to re-install XP), I decided to just accept the standard boring XP GUI.
That is, until I stumbled across Royal Noir. Microsoft developed this theme mainly for Media Center, but never released it!
You can download the Royal Noir theme here.
To install, follow these simple intructions:
- Extract files to “c:\windows\resources\themes\royale noir”
- double click on “luna.msstyles”
- Select “Noir” from color scheme.
It is code-signed by Microsoft. That means that there's no need for a UXTheme hack.
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on February 22nd, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Thank you Microsoft! And thank you Justin Cook! This theme is rockin'!
on March 10th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
i do not no how to set up this theme please could you help me , step by step ??
on March 10th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Step 1: read the blog post
on May 20th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
it's easy, but you have to know how to work with it.
Step 1: download the program (duh)
Step 2: install the theme; therefore click on browse…and install to C:Windows/resources/themes
Step 3: go to C:Windows/resources/themes
Step 4: double-click on luna (the file)
Step 5: double-click on luna (the programm)
Step 5: click display and then click royale
Step 6: click on Appearance and then on Royale_Noir.
Step 7(final): click Apply and Ok.
Step 7:
on October 1st, 2008 at 10:47 am
Thank you for this theme! I have MCE 2005 and it does not include the black ('er noir
theme but does include the stylized blue theme. Cheers!