Windows 7 Customization Thread

[Corndogman]

I thought it would a good idea to start a thread to compile a list of various applications, tweaks, etc. that help improve Windows 7 or add new/old features. I noticed that a lot of them were being posted in the Post your Desktop thread and it was cluttering it up a bit.

If you have any suggestions post them with a download link and some basic information about it, and I will add it to the list.

I'll go ahead and start if off with a few that I use or have come across:

Custom Log-on Screen Background Changer:
This simple program allows you to change the background image on the log-in screen. Very easy to use and you can easily revert back to the stock background image.
Download (http://tweaks.com/software/tweakslogon/download/tweakslogon.zip)
More Information (http://tweaks.com/articles/39468/customizing-logon-screen-background-in-windows-7/)

Windows Media Player 11 Toolbar Mini-Player:
Windows 7 uses WMP12, and they took away the option to have a mini player in the taskbar. This tweak allows you to use the mini player seen in previous versions of Windows Media Player. Its a little buggy, but it does the job if you really liked the mini player.
Download 64 bit (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3677553/wmpband.zip)
Download 32 bit (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3677553/wmpband_32-bit.rar)
More Information/Instructions (http://keznews.com/6669_Get_Back_Windows_Media_Player_12_Mini_Toolbar _on_Windows_7_Taskbar)

Rainmeter CMS:

Rainmeter is a desktop customization platform. Through Rainmeter, you can enhance your Windows computer at home or work with skins: handy, compact applets which float freely on your desktop, much like Windows Sidebar gagdgets, or dashboard widgets for the Mac. Download 64 bit (http://rainmeter.googlecode.com/files/Rainmeter-1.1-64bit.exe)
Download 32 bit (http://rainmeter.googlecode.com/files/Rainmeter-1.1-32bit.exe)
More Information (http://rainmeter.net/RainCMS/)

*Omnimo UI for Ranimeter:
A user interface for the Rainmeter desktop customization platform that simulates the appearance of Windows Phone 7 user interface (http://gizmodo.com/5471805/windows-phone-7-series-everything-is-different-now).
Download (http://www.deviantart.com/download/158707137/Omnimo_UI_1_01_for_Rainmeter_by_fediaFedia.zip)
More (http://lifehacker.com/5504465/how-to-transform-your-windows-desktop-with-an-amazing-windows-phone-7+style-hud) Information (http://fediafedia.deviantart.com/art/Omnimo-UI-1-01-for-Rainmeter-158707137)

3RVX Volume Changer:
Use shortcut keys to quickly change and mute your volume. Lots of customizable options, comes with several different skins. Not necessarily a Windows 7 app, but I feel it goes great with it.
Download (http://matt.malensek.net/software/3RVX_2.5.msi)
More Information (http://matt.malensek.net/software/documentation/3RVX.html)

Start Orb Changer:
Allows you to change the image of the start button on the taskbar.
Download (http://www.thewindowsclub.com/downloads/W7SBC.zip)
More Information (http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-7-start-button-changer-released)

Navigation Button Color Changer:
Allows you to change the color of the navigation buttons in windows explorer.
Download (http://www.deviantart.com/download/151220606/Vista_7_Nav_Button_Colorizer_by_vasanrulez.rar)
More Information (http://www.askvg.com/vista-navigation-button-colorizer-change-windows-vista-explorer-navigation-buttons-color/)

Taskbar Tweaker

is a small utility which allows you to tweak various Taskbar features like:

Show standard window menu on right click instead of jumplist
Close or focus a window on middle click instead of running a new instance
Disable grouping of windows by file path or application id
Cycle through windows of a grouped button on left click instead of showing a thumbnail preview
Open with while dropping a file on a taskbar button instead of pinning
Disable thumbnail previews

Download 64bit (http://board.rammichael.com/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=31)
Download 32bit (http://board.rammichael.com/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=30)
More Information (http://www.askvg.com/7-taskbar-tweaker-ultimate-utility-to-tweak-windows-7-superbar/)

Themes:

Windows 7 Theme Patcher:
Allows you to use custom 3rd party themes. You need this to install the following themes.
Download (http://filekeeper.org/download/deepxw/UniversalThemePatcher/UniversalThemePatcher_20090409.zip) (Press More Information for additional download links)
More Information/Instructions (http://deepxw.blogspot.com/2008/11/universal-theme-patcher.html)

Soft 7 1.8 Theme:
A theme that makes windows and the taskbar very soft and clean looking.
Download (http://www.deviantart.com/download/144948406/Soft7_1_8_for_Windows_7_by_AP_GRAPHIK.rar)
More Information/Instructions (http://ap-graphik.deviantart.com/art/Soft7-1-8-for-Windows-7-144948406)

AeroPlain Theme for Windows 7:

This is a minor mod of the basic Aero theme for Windows 7.

It removes:
- White gradient in upper corners of window frames
- White diagonal stripes behind all aero glass (window frames, taskbar, etc.)
- Dark smoke behind the start orb and clock area of the taskbarDownload (http://www.deviantart.com/download/125999931/AeroPlain_for_Windows_7_by_garbanzox.rar)
More Information (http://garbanzox.deviantart.com/art/AeroPlain-for-Windows-7-125999931)

2beFine Classic Theme:
A custom theme for W7.
Download (http://www.deviantart.com/download/153932239/2beFine_Classic_by_2befine.rar)
More Information/Images (http://2befine.deviantart.com/art/2beFine-Classic-153932239)

Invisible Taskbar:
Makes the taskbar "invisible" (e.g. floating icons. If you want to get rid of the blur altogether, use HideBlur (http://pacmani.deviantart.com/art/HideBlur-Tool-for-Windows-7-137636666).
Download (http://www.deviantart.com/download/160888396/Invisible_Taskbar_by_Conscars.rar)
More Information (http://conscars.deviantart.com/art/Invisible-Taskbar-160888396)


Go ahead and post yours and I will add them as soon as I can.

[Timo]

Good idea, +rep. Does anyone know if it's possible to increase the size of taskbar icons when you've got small icons checked in the taskbar properties menu? I want to make them bigger so they take up more of the wasted space around them.

[Futzy]

Win 7 theme patcher - http://deepxw.blogspot.com/2008/11/universal-theme-patcher.html
Soft 7 1.8 - http://ap-graphik.deviantart.com/art/Soft7-1-8-for-Windows-7-144948406

[Corndogman]

Mind telling me what the Theme patcher does, Big? I can't make heads or tails of that broken English.

[k4is3rxkh40s]

Mind telling me what the Theme patcher does, Big? I can't make heads or tails of that broken English.

It's so you can use custom 3rd party themes

[Corndogman]

Ok, added.

Also added 3RVX, a very handy app.

[Heathen]

FFUCK. Love this threa dalreadyladfhada

I cant type I'm so excited.

Love this thread already.

Love AeroPlain

[Rook]

Find the one to make the taskbar transparent and post it?

[Heathen]

Con was looking for that once.

[Con]

It exists for vista, but someone would have to make a w7 one.

[Futzy]

Does anyone know how to compile a theme for W7? I found a way to extract all the files from the themes, but there's no guide as to what each piece is for W7 that I have found yet.

[Corndogman]

Added Start Orb Changer.

E: And I made a custom orb too!
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa303/corndogman939/StartOrbSmileys.jpg

[Heathen]

askvg.com has some good stuff iirc.

If someone could find me something that makes my w7 match more with my google chrome that'd be great.

[Ganon]

If someone could find me something that makes my w7 match more with my google chrome that'd be great.

1408

[flibitijibibo]

I remember using that :iamafag: orb!

Is there one for the updated orb (sans the smugs)? I'd love to get that back...

[Corndogman]

I made that orb myself, just for shits and giggles. Do you want me to make one with all :iamafag:'s?

E: Thanks Heathen for that link.

*Added navigation button color changer.

[flibitijibibo]

That'd be awesome. (Returning +rep, of course)

Edit below: Works for me, +rep

Edit 2: Oh, wait, I have to spread it first. Oh, to have that list back again...

[Corndogman]

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa303/corndogman939/startorbsmileys4.jpg

Hope this is okay.

*Added Taskbar Tweaker

[Limited]

Ooh I LOVE this Soft7 theme :D, very sexi.

Does any one know, if its possible to make the gadgets act like taskbar that automatically hides unless you mouse over the corner? Basically I want to be able to mouse to the right and they pop up, but I dont want to see them ALL the time.

[Futzy]

Win7-Shine http://zainadeel.deviantart.com/art/Win7-Shine-for-Windows-7-v1-4-154490576
Modified soft7 theme with hard corners and the default win7 taskbar things that indicate a program is active.

[flibitijibibo]

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa303/corndogman939/startorbsmileys4.jpg

Hope this is okay.

*Added Taskbar Tweaker
It's asking for a bitmap? I tried making the jpg a bitmap, but the orbs have boxes around them.

It also seems like he's a bit low res. If you need it:
http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/1/13/Awesome.png
May need to remove the corners...

[Futzy]

jpegs dont have alphas, it has to be a bitmap.

[Corndogman]

Its because photobucket changed the format. Heres a BMP

http://corndogman.cz.cc/uploads/start%20orb%20smileys%204.bmp

[Hunter]

:( I aint got Windows 7 any more, stupid BETA!

[Futzy]

Why didn't you get it when it was only $20

[Reaper Man]

Does anybody have the awesome face start orb I made for Vista? I don't have it anymore :C

E: I found it, but I gotta convert it to a start menu compatible bmp

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/6275/872newyo0.png


I don't know how well it'll work with W7, Ima make a new one.

Second E:
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6155/awesomeorb.png

I don't know why it says it's a png.. save it as a 32-bit bmp

It only looks good when you use small icons with the taskbar, if anybody wants me to make one fo r a full sized taskbar, lemme know,

[flibitijibibo]

Ah, I knew someone here made it. Thank you~

[Limited]

Yes please Reaper :D, I'd give it a try but the result would be pants.

[Reaper Man]

Here you go:
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2311/awesomefull.png

Do you guys think it's too saturated a yellow? I simply reused an awesome face finder icon I'd made for a mac user friend of mine:
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/4883/awesomemacsizebt8.png

[flibitijibibo]

Is anyone successfully adding Reaper's :iamafag: orb? Mine just keeps reverting to the 7 orb.

[Reaper Man]

It works for me... (http://www.modacity.net/forums/showthread.php?t=20026&p=519216&viewfull=1#post519216)

How about I upload it in a zip file so that imageshack doesn't convert it to a weird png:

[flibitijibibo]

zip file worked. Thanks Reaper <3

[Limited]

Sick, but how do I use it, I need the taskbar tweaker? duuuuuh I'm stupid lol.
Also that notes gadget in your wallpaper post Reaper, what is it :D

[Futzy]

get the start orb changer from the OP

[Reaper Man]

Sick, but how do I use it, I need the taskbar tweaker? duuuuuh I'm stupid lol.
Also that notes gadget in your wallpaper post Reaper, what is it :D
It's from rainmeter's Enigma theme, I just tweaked it a little.

[Limited]

Wait so its a theme for the notes gadget?

[Futzy]

It's part of the rainmeter enigma theme, not part of windows.

[Heathen]

Any way to make it with transparency?

I want a glass orb with the blue part being transparent, but still glowing.

[Reaper Man]

Yeah, just edit the alpha layer of the 32 bit bmp.

[Limited]

Any way to make it with transparency?

I want a glass orb with the blue part being transparent, but still glowing.
You mean like this?
http://i47.tinypic.com/23mlboz.jpg
(Black bits transparent)

[Heathen]

well I still want the orb and the glass shine effect on it, but I want it to be clear like my taskbar, with the blur behind it and still have the colored rays off it.

E: basically making the blue the same color as the background, but keeping everything else.

[Futzy]

You'd have to make something custom. I can do it if you want.
e:
here's the .psd for the start orb i made

http://derekdennison.codebrainshideout.net/startorb.psd

http://derekdennison.codebrainshideout.net/plain.png

[Heathen]

I think you got something backwards here...if that's supposed to be what I said I wanted.

[Futzy]

I know, just turn off the fill layer in the .psd and add any effects you want. That's just my start orb with my logo removed and the layers all named and organized.

[Heathen]

Lol, me able to do that? Lol.

Thanks tho.

[Futzy]

Like this?
http://derekdennison.codebrainshideout.net/pictures/startorb.png
http://derekdennison.codebrainshideout.net/pictures/Untitled-2.jpg

http://derekdennison.codebrainshideout.net/startorb.bmp

[Heathen]

Perfect!
I love you.

[Limited]

Well I managed to get transparency in the default Notes gadget!
http://i47.tinypic.com/2hmzouh.jpg

The only issue, is...

http://i45.tinypic.com/ml1fkm.jpg


Bloody Windows font!!

[flibitijibibo]

When you finish that, want. Very want. +rep in return!

[Limited]

When you finish that, want. Very want. +rep in return!
Maybe I should explain the result lol.
The result is the text and the + and x buttons is actually the default black text. However the issue is it is surrounded by magenta pixels, this is because of the transparency, as some people in the know would know, magenta is used as a transparency mask colour.

[Futzy]

http://derekdennison.codebrainshideout.net/wp7march.jpg
Rainmeter - http://lifehacker.com/5504465/how-to-transform-your-windows-desktop-with-an-amazing-windows-phone-7+style-hud
W7 Theme - http://2befine.deviantart.com/art/2beFine-Classic-153932239
Right click on the black desktop overlay and you can either remove it or make it so you can click through it.

[Cojafoji]

been meaning to do this since i first saw the thread. boy is it nice to have my omega back on my start button. thanks for the heads up corn.

[Corndogman]

Thanks for the suggestions Mr.Big, added em. Also grouped all the themes together.

No problem, Coja.

E: Actually, wtf, the edit didn't apply.... *sigh* Will be up momentarily. Ok they're up now.

[Timo]

http://wallbase.net/ Is the first decent replacement for 4scrape that i've ever seen. You can search their entire database by colour, which is awesome.

[SiriusTexra]

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/2858/startorb15.png

I madeth one. Just so happened I was fucking around with an awesome animation just last night:

quality=high width=512 height=512 parameter=parameter_value

It would be killer to make this the loading screen for windows.

[Cortexian]

It took the artists that designed the current Windows 7 loading animation (orbs of light flying in to make the Windows logo) like 3 months to get it working in the pre-Windows POST environment I think... Not for sure on this though.

[SiriusTexra]

Lame.

[Con]

bump
http://conscars.deviantart.com/art/Invisible-Taskbar-160888396

[Rook]

nice effort but the blur kills it. :(

[Con]

I added in the artists comments a link to a blur remover. Unfortunately, it removes the blur from the windows too which makes window headers look messy.

[Corndogman]

Added Con's theme. Thanks Con, pretty cool shit.

[Futzy]

Con, do you think you can share how to edit the .msstyle? I can find a bunch of themes that I like parts of but other parts of it make me not want to use it all, So I'd love to be able to combine some elements

[Con]

You'll need something like resource hacker to open the files.

http://msstyle.info/viewforum.php?f=5
Use the group images threads to find the right images to replace.

This is also a good tutorial for the process:
http://msstyle.info/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=37

[Futzy]

I got style builder and have been messing around, but I cant find the taskbar and window background, stream I thinks its called. Where is that?

[Cojafoji]

Fwiw, I was gonna throw out the fact that you'd need Restorator (http://www.bome.com/products/restorator) in order to edit any 64bit exes you might have, but then found that the new beta of RH (http://angusj.com/resourcehacker/reshack_setup.exe) now supports 64.

[Yoko]

19 Tips Every Windows 7 User Needs to Know

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/nix_friction_your_win7_system

[Futzy]

So I formatted my comp and forgot to save that start orb so I made one based off of it
http://derekdennison.codebrainshideout.net/zuneorb.png
http://derekdennison.codebrainshideout.net/zuneorb.bmp

e: Don't know why I haven't posted this yet http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/777838-rel-gmail-notifier-plus-for-windows-7/
It's great if you use gmail, it displays a small number on the taskbar icon when you get new mail. Has an option to play a sound. Large taskbar icons required. Put it in your startup folder to make it start with windows.

[Heathen]

if they make a notifier for facebook, they got my download.

[Futzy]

You can set facebook to email you any time someone does something, thats how i do it.

[Futzy]

http://www.connectify.me/ this is fantastic

[Amit]

http://www.connectify.me/ this is fantastic

Pretty interesting. I'll check it out, thanks.

[Cortexian]

I don't understand why you would use this for anything except instances where you're being charged a fee per device to access a WiFi network... Ad-Hoc works just fine for laptops that need to connect to each other, and most phones can connect to a wireless laptop via Bluetooth or some other method.

[Futzy]

Wireless connections aren't always available. For me, I'm not close to my router and have a wired connection to my laptop, so I can't use my zune over wireless without this. Also put you in control of the connection rather than the router

[Cortexian]

My router is in the basement and has coverage in the entire house and direct neighbors, I think you need a better wireless router?

I suggest the D-Link DIR-655 (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=DIR-655) (the one I use) or DIR-825 (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=DIR-825) if you want wireless N (the 655 doesn't do N very well at all, constantly drops and such).

[Futzy]

I know I do, I just use the D-link that verizon gave me, but its not worth the $100 when I already routed a free ethernet line throughout my house.

[ThePlague]

Here's what i'm using now:
http://johnflasser.scifi-frontier.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/speaker-copy2.bmp

Here was one I tried, but didn't know that it has to be round..?
http://johnflasser.scifi-frontier.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/gas-mask.bmp

And here is my first one I did:
http://johnflasser.scifi-frontier.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/startorb_radioactive-copy.bmp

Here's how it matches my desktop. (http://johnflasser.scifi-frontier.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/winrar.png)

Yeah...i'm no photoshop guru.

[ThePlague]

Double posting because this is awesome:
http://johnflasser.scifi-frontier.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/xbox.bmp

Just made it, and it works great.

double e:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K1eW82QGqA
Watch in high quality for awesomeness.
http://johnflasser.scifi-frontier.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/killstreaks-copy.bmp

[Futzy]

StratumFusion Firefox theme, the successor to Stratbuddy. Still in dev. http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/904610-stratumfusion-for-firefox/
If stuff is missing click on an empty space and click customize and check the plugin options.
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6416/stratum.jpg

The theme I'm using is also in development Shine 2.0 http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/886400-shine-20-new-theme-in-the-making/page__view__findpost__p__592506636

[Timo]

Bumping this. This is my current desktop:
http://timo.modacity.net/pix/desktop/derp_2010-08-17%202139.39.563.jpg
Does anyone know if it's possible to reduce the size of the start bar to the width of those icons?

[ThePlague]

Use a small taskbar icons?

[Timo]

The taskbar stays the same width regardless of whether I use small icons or not ;\

[ThePlague]

Weird, mine gets smaller.

[Con]

Timo, I've looked into it as well. There's supposedly a glitch than can make it thinner but it involves fullscreen applications and it's not permanent.