[Liskiller]

Update: If you have installed SP1 or SP2 then please refer following links:
Patched UxTheme Files for Windows Vista SP2
Patched UxTheme Files for Windows Vista SP1

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Are you tired of Vista's Aero theme?
A patched uxtheme.dll gave you the freedom to use un-signed custom visual style in Windows XP but in Windows Vista you have to replace three dll files to use third party visual styles.
Those three files are uxtheme.dll, shsvcs.dll and themeui.dll

Download The Patched Files
6.0.6000.16386_XX.rar (mirror) (32bit)
6.0.6000.16386_XX_AMD64.rar (64bit)


How To Install
1. Login as a user with Administrative privileges -or- have Administrative credentials ready (check under the keyboard for a slip of paper).
2. Navigate to %systemroot%\System32
3. Right-click uxtheme.dll and click properties.
4. Take ownership of the file and close dialogs.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for themeui.dll and shsvcs.dll
6. Right-click uxtheme.dll and click properties.
7. Give yourself (or group) Full Control permissions and close dialogs.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 for themeui.dll and shsvcs.dll.
9. Rename uxtheme.dll to uxtheme.old.
10. Rename themeui.dll to themeui.old.
11. Rename shsvcs.dll to shsvcs.old.
12. Copy patched files into %systemroot%\System32
13. Reboot (yes, this is really required)
14. Enjoy!

Now click here and download this nice HilledSE visual style for Vista RTM.
My Blog

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Update 1: Zyphrax has released an automated uxtheme patcher for Vista. Click here: VistaGlazz

[FalseAgent]

skinning vista is troublesome IMO...

[Billy Reynolds]

Sorry but I'm not installing modified dll files offered by someone with 1 post, they could be anything

[HingVista]

I altually works. Jemaho also recommends this

[WinMatrics]

People used to make XP look like Vista. What just happened here?

[ninique]

I guess people have used the "Vista look" for so long on their XP pc's that as soon as the real thing comes out, they're already tired of it XD

[LiLLTOtech]

I love it. Thank you for the uxtheme.dll patch

[WhistAler]

Thank a lot. I'll use it soon.

[boywonda]

Mine doesn't work for some reason. Im running Vista Home Premium on a 32bit system. Foloowed all the instructions and renamed the old files, and I don't see 2 aero selections.

Only thing I see is Windows Aero, Windows Vista Basic, Windows Standard and Windows Classic....followed by some crap talking bout High Contrast and Low Contrast

[jim88]

Could anyone tell me if there is a self-installing version of this out yet? I'm a dummy that can't figure out how to do the registry hack install Thanks

[Razor VinT]

@jim88
Download the installer from HERE.

[or dor]

I use VistaGlazz

[devil2flame]

Help... I tried replacing the files in both Normal and Safe mode but got "File in use" message.

[spoondude]

I have Vista Home Basic and it's not working!!!!!!! I have done this, I have used VistaGlazz, but nothing works! The HilledSE theme is just sitting around in the themes folder doing nothing because it won't appear on the Appearance Properties!

[M.Sudoku]

@spoondude: That's because of KB933928 hotfix some msstyles aren't working. Read here!