77 replies to this topic

[AMIRZ]

Vista / Windows 7 Media Center Skin for Xp MCE 2005 and
Windows Media Center Installer for Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC, 2003
(With The Same Vista / Windows 7 Skin)

PS: If you want more Vista and Windows 7 applications and features on XP, then please also visit (Recommended):

"List of Most Vista and Windows 7 Applications for XP"
http://www.winmatrix...eatures-for-xp/

And "Windows 7 Applications, Tools, and Features on XP"
http://www.winmatrix...-for-xp-simple/


Hello Everybody, (Btw i have released them on Deviantart too: http://amirsyahrani....-2005-111784108 and included in my another thread "List of Most Vista (& Windows 7) Applications and Tools for Xp"too: http://www.winmatrix...showtopic=20480)
PS: If you want to link/share/reupload everything here, you're not required to ask me any permission. Do it for free...

Windows Media Center is an application designed to serve as a home-entertainment hub. It is included in Windows XP Media Center Edition and premium editions of Windows Vista (Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate) -> and latest builds of Windows 7 too. Since it was only available with Xp MCE 2005, Here are a Vista/7 like skin and Windows Media Center installer for Xp All Edition:

===

1) Vista (Or 7) Media Center Skin (Resource) for Xp MCE 2005 (Windows Media Center Application):

(Note: Windows 7 MCE GUI looks not much different with Vista version for me, except "the first setting page" when you configured MCE/WMP at first time).Well, if you already have Xp MCE 2005 or the converted Xp Pro/Home etc with Media Center application, and you'd like to make it like Vista/Windows 7 version (yeah, that's way it's called "Windows Customization" ), then you can also use this MCE skin (or theme) that i created for Xp MCE 2005. Unlike other MCE skins, this one change all media center features to be like Vista (Icons, GUI, infotip, splash, overlay background, file association and so on). Although it's not perfect yet, but hey still better than nothing at all for me. I have also patched ehshell.exe, ehui.dll, and ehdrop.dll (full) beside ehres.dll.

Features:

- Full patched MCE files resources: ehres.dll, ehdrop.dll, ehui.dll, ehshell.exe, RegisterMCEApp.exe (not only ehres.dll)- Full Vista Media Center GUI element/resources (Window, overlay background,icon, layout i.e as you can see the layout of back button and Windows ball which nearly similar with Vista MCE, item names, etc) like Vista.- Vista MCE + Some Associated Media Center File Type icons (dvr-ms, mcl, etc) etc like Vista.
- Change Media Center window and taskbar name from only "Media Center" to "Windows Media Center" and its icon similar with Vista.
- Change Media Center shortcuts from "Media Center" to "Windows Media Center" with comment/tooltip similar with Vista. Etc (Guide/Note included)
- Some minor GUI layouts will depend on your monitor resolution (best/optimized for 1024x768/1200x800 or better than "standard" 800x600). Updating your driver will give better result.

- Screenshot :



- Screenshot of My Xp "MultiMedia Center" Desktop Lol Too busy... :



)* Some goodies that were included on the desktop:

- MS Windows Media Center v4.0 Build 5.1.2715.2883 UR2 (Xp MCE 2005) with this Vista Skin Resource
- MS - Aquarium Wallpaper (Default MS Xp MCE 2005 Plus! wallpaper)
- MS - Windows Media Player 11 for Xp with
- WMP 11 Vista Skin Resource for WMP 11 Xp (Credits to ~pierdelp, Deviantart) : http://pierdelp.devi...for-XP-52704429
- VistaXp VS by Kol (Credits to Kol): http://www.winmatrix...showtopic=20424
- Transbar (Transparent Taskbar on Xp): http://www.home.no/aksoftware/
- Original Microsoft Windows Vista Sidebar for Xp + Gadgets by Ricktendo64 (Credits to MS, Rafael, Zoronax, VAIO/Alky, (for porting it to Xp), Ricktendo64 (for creating Sidebar installer/add on) + MS too): http://www.wincert.n...?showtopic=1442
- Tablet PC Input Panel for Xp Pro, Home, MCE, 2003 (Installer by me): http://www.winmatrix...showtopic=21199
- Windows Dancer for Xp, Vista, Windows 7 (Installer by me): http://www.winmatrix...showtopic=22526
- Original Vista / 7 style Flip 3d Icon (QuickLaunch) for Topdesk / Winflip etc by me: http://www.winmatrix...showtopic=19627
- Btw there's also a WMP 12 (Windows 7 Media Player) Skin Resource for WMP 11 Xp (Credits to Bogo and fediaFedia): http://fediafedia.de...or-XP-106429599
(Full credits to all authors)

Important Note:

This skin is only for Windows Media Center application in Windows Xp Media Center 2005 OS build 5.1.2715.2883 - Post Update Rollup 2 (for MCE Latest Build 5.1.2715.3011, also please read below). Please check the Media Center version by opening Media Center application -> Software version or manually right clicking the ehshell.exe -> file version. It should be version 5.1.2715.2883 (do not replace if different or usually it won't work!).

If your MCE version is lower, to update MCE to latest version 5.1.2715.2883, then you must have to install Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 and April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 for Xp Media Center 2005 which you can download them all from Microsoft for free (WGA validation required).

- Download Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 :

http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

- Download April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 : http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

- Download Vista Skin for Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.2883):
File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005.zip
MD5: 4c8233a128ed5220548852ccc92b1821
Size: 9,73 Mb
http://www.4shared.c...p_MCE_2005.html

======

UPDATED: -> Vista Skin For The Latest Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011):

(Please check your MCE version first before downloading) -> Thanx to our friend kth7 - WinMatrix for the info (please read his post below). I have updated/added new link of Vista /7 skin for MCE version 5.1.2715.3011 - Update rollup October 2006 (lol i thought it was included in Xp SP3, in fact it wasn't, even update rollup 2 is not too. Strange, seems that Xp SP3 only included MCE 2004 files as i have extracted medctr.cab and only found lower versions than UR2). UR2 (2006) > SP3 (2007)? Lol

Note: You can check which is your MCE version number you're running only by opening Media Center inside "Software Version Page" in Media Center 2005: Settings > General > About Media Center > Software Version. It's not same with the Windows OS version (some info i.e. OS / Applications name, major & minor version numbers, Service Packs/RTM if available, etc...) which you can just check it on e.g System Properties or Help menu (Btw just FYI to open "About Windows" dialog box on any Windows OS (98 or higher as far as i know): Run > type "winver" without quotes > Enter).

If your MCE version is lower, to update MCE to latest version 5.1.2715.3011, then you must have to install Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 and April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 (skip them if your version is already 5.1.2715.2883), and KB925766 for Xp Media Center 2005 (to get version 5.1.2715.3011) which you can download them all from Microsoft for free (WGA validation required).

- Download Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 : http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

- Download April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 : http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

- Download update Rollup October 2006 KB925766 : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925766

and maybe some other latest MCE 2005 updates too (but at least you must already have them all above installed before using this MCE skin version 5.1.2715.3011).

Note: Again They are not included in SP3 for Xp, you have to download and install them all manually.


- Download Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011):

File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011).zip
Size: 9,73 Mb
MD 5: c70dd446bd4eed909378abe450a61f0b
http://www.4shared.c...127153011_.html

Updated:

- Vista-style CD/Flash Drive Autoplay Handler (Icon & Strings) for Xp MCE 2005 (Icon and string)



I have already included it (it's only a .reg file) on both Skin and Installer above/below, but if you had already previously download it, then just simply apply this registry entries:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\CancelAutoplay\CLSID]
"52D96F1B-33C6-40b6-9421-6652744B81A1"=""
"621B5925-3992-4654-B2A3-00FF2D4015FC"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\EventHandlers\PlayCDAudioOnArrival]
"EHomeMusicDropTarget"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\EventHandlers\PlayDVDMovieOnArrival]
"EHomeVideoDropTarget"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\EventHandlers\PlayVideoFilesOnArrival]
"EHomeVideosHandler"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\EventHandlers\ShowPicturesOnArrival]
"EHomePhotosHandler"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\Handlers\EHomeMusicDropTarget]
@=""
"Action"="Play Audio CD"
"DefaultIcon"="%WinDir%\\ehome\\ehdrop.dll,-201"
"FriendlyName"="eHome UserXP"
"InvokeProgId"="EHomeDropTarget.EHomeMusicDropTarget"
"InvokeVerb"="play"
"Provider"="Windows Media Center"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\Handlers\EHomePhotosHandler]
@=""
"Action"="View pictures"
"DefaultIcon"="%WinDir%\\ehome\\ehdrop.dll,-201"
"FriendlyName"="eHome UserXP"
"InvokeProgId"="EHomeDropTarget.EHomePhotosHandler"
"InvokeVerb"="play"
"Provider"="Windows Media Center"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\Handlers\EHomeVideoDropTarget]
@=""
"Action"="Play DVD Video"
"DefaultIcon"="%WinDir%\\ehome\\ehdrop.dll,-205"
"FriendlyName"="eHome UserXP"
"InvokeProgId"="EHomeDropTarget.EHomeVideoDropTarget"
"InvokeVerb"="play"
"Provider"="Windows Media Center"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\Handlers\EHomeVideosHandler]
@=""
"Action"="View videos"
"DefaultIcon"="%WinDir%\\ehome\\ehdrop.dll,-201"
"FriendlyName"="eHome UserXP"
"InvokeProgId"="EHomeDropTarget.EHomeVideosHandler"
"InvokeVerb"="play"
"Provider"="Windows Media Center"

Copy and paste it on Notepad then save it as .reg extension (e.g MCE.reg). Apply/double click it to merge into registry. For any version of MCE 2005 with or without this skin (again, i have already included it on both Vista Skin and Windows Media Center installer above/below). You can also edit the tip string yourself if you want.

=========================================

2) Windows Media Center Installer for Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC, 2003, All Editions (Lite, Installer, Uninstallable):

(I know people can convert Xp Pro/Home to Xp MCE 2005 in another way (or some Xp MCE 2005 torrents, maybe? Lol), but i'm here to make the process faster, easier, better, and shorter, not complicated especially for most end users). If you only have Xp Pro, Home, Tablet or Server 2003 without Media Center 2005, but you want to have Windows Media Center application like the ones in Xp MCE 2005, Vista, and Windows 7, then you can install it by using Windows Media Center installer that i created.

Only in 2 minutes, you'll get a working Windows Media Center application with full Vista GUI in your Xp Pro/Home/2003 plus some MCE powertoys, and it's uninstallable without messing up your system. Without any long and complicated steps and process at all. Again, unlike other usual ways, this installer will act like 3rd parties, that means it's uninstallable, easier, faster, and it won't hack any system file. It's also faster as you don't have to get "long time and complicated process" such as finding and extracting medctr.cab reformatting Windows OS, hacking registry, or booting with Bart PE CD etc etc. it's already included my Vista Skin above (the Vista skin would be installed by default).

Features:

- Full Vista GUI (even also some icons, tooltip, taskbar icon and windows name etc - Already included the above skin
.- Tweaked for Non MCE Machine (no any "annoying error message" of lack of MCE hardware anymore and so on, just like Vista Media Center).
- Instant/fast. Easy-Uninstallable (clean) without hacking any system file/changing/converting the OS.- Smaller size - Installs only Windows Media Center application, no any complicated process anymore.
- Etc + Included All above Vista MCE Skin features.




Prerequisites (For Windows Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC with SP2 or SP3 and Windows Server 2003):

(user with administration rights who can install Windows Media Center).

1. Windows Media Player (WMP) version 10 or 11 -> Required.
2. .Net Framework 1.1 with SP1 (or maybe higher) -> Required. (Note: MCE add ons (Alarm Clock and Playlist Editor) need .Net Framework 2.0 (or higher) to work. It's recommended to install it too).
Note: Btw I have eliminate dependencies on .Net Framework 1.0 by changing/tweaking the runtime code, so you can only install .net Framework 1.1 (or maybe higher) -> so far so good. If there are still some errors, just use .net clean up tool (included) and/or you can install both .Net Framework 1.0 SP3 and .Net Framework 1.1 SP1 (like original Xp MCE)
3. Optional: Supported DVD/MPEG-2 Decoder for MCE (With DVD-Rom/Writer) and some 3rd party codecs -> Optional but recommended.
UPDATE: You can download and install free DVD Decoder (WMP and Media Center 2005 Compatible) Here and K-Lite MegaCodec Here (you can skip this step if you already have them installed). To know the DVD decoder that installed on your system is compatible or not with MCE then you can download and run free Windows Xp Decoder Checkup Utility
4. MCE compatible hardware such as decent DirectX9 VGA card with latest driver (optional)

- Download Windows Media Center Installer for Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC, 2003, All Editions (Instant Installer, Uninstallable):
File Name: Windows Media Center for Xp Pro, Home, and 2003 Installer.zip
MD5: e73e0033c29bddfa37cd033bf8f7502d
Size: 52,62 Mb
http://www.4shared.c..._Installer.html


Note: Since you only have MCE application installed on Xp Pro (by using the installer above), but not the OS itself, then maybe some MCE add ons from MS (e.g http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/details...displaylang=en) may or may not work since they need to recognize/validate the OS is really Xp MCE before they can run. If you go to Windows Update, you won't also get any updates for Windows Media Center since your OS is still recognized as Xp Pro (but with Windows Media Center already installed) as you can see no change in Xp system properties. No problem with WGA at all.
(However, if you prefer to convert the OS (Xp Pro/Home) to real Xp MCE 2005 OS, please read below:)
- Some antivirus and antispyware programs (rare) may flag the softwares as being infected/malware, although the application is perfectly safe and does not pose a threat to your system. This is called a "false positive". The term false positive is used when antivirus software wrongly classifies an innocuous ( inoffensive ) file as a virus. The incorrect detection may be due to heuristics or to an incorrect virus signature in a database.

=========================================

)* Other Alternative Ways to Convert Xp Pro/Home/2003 to MCE 2005 OS:

Unlike Vista (Premium and Ultimate), Media Center app in Xp MCE 2005 was made the way more integrated into the OS itself (except my port, since i have ported, recompiled, and tweaked MCE app on Xp Pro like other common app, and i guarantee there's almost no difference). That's why you can't find Vista MCE OS like Xp MCE 2005, but only Windows Media Center application as well as WMP 11 in Vista Premium and Ultimate, and that's why i created installer of MCE port for Xp Pro/Home (to create an installer for MCE like other third parties, without integration within the OS itself.

Actually Xp MCE 2005 is a superset of Xp Pro, with no difference except MC app, MCE add ons, and optimization, and MCE 2005 has no domain joining feature unlike Xp Pro. If you really want to convert the OS (Xp Pro/Home) to real Xp MCE 2005 OS in order to get perfect Media Center app (with long time and some "difficult/complicated" steps/process though), the process/result is not installable/reversible (but it would really give the "most perfect result" since the OS would really become "real" Xp MCE 2005 OS + all MCE stuffs, possible optimization, driver supports, etc (see below)) and it will be recognized as Xp MCE 2005 by system properties, also MS (as you can always get update for MCE from Windows Update/Automatic Update since your converted OS has been recognized as Xp MCE 2005), i've found these ways too:

Download MCE 2005 Installer (MCE Converter) -> Credits to Orbit30 (Wincert/MSFN) also included mediactr.cab, plus.cab, sonic.cab and their .inf files etc after extracting it :
Convert Xp To Xp MCE 2005 OS without reinstalling Windows.(You still need Bart PE disk/load hive function from another OS to change MCE registry installed = 1 later + some next processes)
File Name: MCE_Installer.rar
MD5: 44cb41146d7832529bfe31a8cd46c670
Size: 254 Mb
http://skitechnology...E_Installer.rar.

extract and install/double click to run the first exe (MCE-INSTALLER.Orbit30.exe), wait till it ask to reboot. Before booting you'll also need to insert Bart PE bootable Disk/ERD Commander 2005 bootable CD (my fave) (You can search their ISO files on the internet for free then burn on DVD/CD. or at least just load hive from another OS if exists). Boot into the CD. Create/change registry by creating a dword named "installed" (without quotes) with dword value=1 in key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\MediaCenter (read below)

=========================================

- Convert Xp Pro/Home/Tablet PC to Xp MCE 2005 without reinstalling the OS:
If you really want to convert Xp to real Xp MCE 2005 OS without reinstalling/reformatting the OS (it will be recognized as original MCE 2005 by MS and updated!). The process is not reversible/uninstallable (but again you will get "original" Xp MCE 2005 OS). And you can still apply above Vista Skin on MCE application later as well. Some necessary files were already included in the package (mediactr.cab, inf so on). You can download my package below. Here's the guide: (Thanks to neo.JoeJoe)

(1.)Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0
Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0.3705 and It's SP3.
Copy "Copy2Gac.exe" to "C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705" (Optional)
Install Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 and its SP1.
Install WMP 10 or 11 (WMP 11 is better) and Supported MCE DVD Decoder such as ones from NVIDIA, Sonic, or WinDVD.

(2.)modify MCE registry
Open regedit.exe, goto HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA,
create key named “MediaCenter”. Create DWORD Value named “Installed” in key and valued “1”.
you'll also need to insert Bart PE bootable Disk/ERD Commander 2005 bootable CD (my fave) (You can search their ISO files on the internet for free then burn on DVD/CD. or at least just load hive from another OS if exists). Bcoz the value is locked by Windows. Boot into the CD. Create/change registry by creating a dword named "installed" (without quotes) with dword value=1 in key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\MediaCenter (also create MediaCenter key if it doesn't exist):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\MediaCenter]
"Installed"=dword:00000001

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\MediaCenter]
"Installed"=dword:00000001

Installed value in MediaCenter of XP retail/OEM OS must be Dword Value. “Installed” value in “MediaCenter” of XP (VLK Ver) OS must be String Value. And “Installed” value in “MediaCenter” key in all server 2003 OS must be string values. Because there are no WinXP MCE VLK and Win 2003 MCE versions. You can’t login if these values are DWORD!

If there is “Installed” valued “0” in “MediaCenter” in your Windows XP, you can not modify it in current OS.
You must use “load HIVE” function in another OS (in another PC/partition) like this: Click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
From the File menu, choose Load Hive,
Navigate to the registry location on your OS such as c:\windows\system32\config\system,name it “temp”.
after you modified the value to “1”,click temp,choose “unload HIVE” to save it.
You can also use Bart PE bootable disc or my fave: ERD Commander 2005 CD
(google them or download Here )

(3.)Install Media Center
Get medctroc.inf, plusoc.inf, sonic.inf (all included) .copy them to C:\windows\inf\ ; then Run following commands to install Media Center

Open Command Prompt (Run -> Type "CMD" without Quotes) or directly double click"MCE.cmd" to run the MCE commands (included).

Install Media Center (Need MEDIACTR.CAB):
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection Freestyle 128 medctroc.inf

Install Windows Digital Media Enhancement (Need plus.cab):
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusGold 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusSpac 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusDavn 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusNatr 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusMpix 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusDancer 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusParty 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusAudio 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusCDLM 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusTheme 128 plusoc.inf

Install Sonic DVD and CD Burning (Need sonic.cab):

rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection SonicDVDandCDBurning 128 sonic.inf

Note: After executing command, it will open new dialog window and ask you to navigate/browse to where you placed mediactr.cab, sonic.cab, and plus.cab. Follow and do it.

4) update your MCE 2005 to UR2 (Update Rollup 2). Download it from Microsoft Download Center for free (also with other higher MCE updates if available).

NOTE:
1.Please open full Video and Audio acceleration in Windows Server 2003
Create a folder named "ehome" if it doesnt exist on Server 2003. Copy "CUSTSAT.dll" to it.
2.this way also can be applied to Windows XP/2003 x64 Edition, Both “Installed” must be string values
3.if you have MCE remote control,MCE remote keyboard U can use Drives for XP in Windows Server 2003.
4.Can not install MCE upgrades in Windows Server 2003 because the OS is not WinXP,and there're some other problems by this cause.
5.Can not install Update Rollup 2 for MCE2005 when "Installed" is string value.so when you use XP VOL, you can expand "WindowsXPMediaCenter2005-KB900325-XXX.exe",and install upgrades listed in "paths.ini" manual.

- Download Xp to Xp MCE 2005 OS transformation package (no need to reinstall the OS), above guide included: also included mediactr.cab, plus.cab, sonic.cab and their .inf files etc after extracting it :
Name : Convert_Xp_to_Xp_MCE_2005.zip
Size : 165 Mb
MD5 :92c24a535857516fc10ecdf513b86dea
http://www.hr-host.c...Xp_MCE_2005.zip

Mirror download link: http://depositfiles....files/e36w3x9ja
- 4Shared: http://www.4shared.c..._2005_Pack.html

Note: The process is not reversible/uninstallable though...

After you have converted Xp to Xp MCE 2005, then please download and install update rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 and April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 and update Rollup October 2006 KB925766 (All download links above). Then you can apply my Vista skin later as well. Please note unlike original MCE 2005 you will still be able to join domain in this converted MCE OS (without extender). If you can't download from the links above, then you can download them (both, Media Center and Tablet PC packages) on my thread Wincert HERE (please read Post #1 and #7) seems that bcoz of "hotlink protection" by Wincert so you can only download them there (don't worry, you're not required to register or login on Wincert, but again just visit my thread there on Wincert). Thanks to my friend Ricktendo64 for the info.

==============================================

MCE 2005 Add on (credits to Ricktendo64 Wincert): also included mediactr.cab, plus.cab, sonic.cab and their .inf files etc after extracting it :
(must be integrated with Xp set up CD first as add on (by Nlite) or won't work, you have to reinstall Windows using it), so the OS would become "real" Xp MCE 2005 OS + some MCE stuffs (see below):
http://www.wincert.n...?showtopic=4652

Follow the next instruction there. However, if you still want to get a working Windows Media Center with Vista GUI in instant, fastest and easiest way in Xp Pro, Home, and 2003, it's also fastest and easiest to use my Windows Media Center installer above (tweaked and smaller installer size), and it's uninstallable too without hacking/converting your OS at all.

* Some Other Tutorials about converting Xp Pro, Home, 2003 to MCE 2005 OS:

1) Tutorial : Port Media Center (and also Tablet PC programs!) to non-media center Windows XP or Xp Pro/Home (Credits to neo.joejoe, JoeJoe):
http://www.joejoe.or...?showtopic=5167

2) Installing Media Center 2005 on WinXP Home or Pro and avoiding a clean install (Credits to tmksnyder, The Green Button):
http://thegreenbutto...read/18937.aspx

3) Media Center 2005 on a Windows 2003 Server (Credits to Cactus, The Green Button):
http://thegreenbutto...ShowThread.aspx

To get Vista /7 GUI in MCE, you can still apply my Vista skin above on it

Again, instead of the "complicated" ways above, you can just use my Windows Media Center installer in instant, fastest and easiest way and it's uninstallable too without hacking/converting your OS at all, in only about 2 minutes lol.

=========================================

3) Other MCE Stuffs for Xp, Vista, Windows 7 (Windows All) :

For Xp, 2003, Vista, 2008, Windows 7:

If you still wanted to get some MCE goodies which were available with Xp MCE 2005 (Windows Plus! MCE, Dancer, Screensavers etc) on Xp, please visit my previous thread for more info (recommended) : http://www.winmatrix...showtopic=22526

- Screenshot :



Or use these direct links:

Download Links:

1) Windows Dancer only :
MD5: 09b0cfd1ceff893a0fbd570f9f1d8f84
Size: only 7,77 Mb
http://www.4shared.c..._Windows_7.html

- Screenshot :


Download Scooby Doo Dancer Port (Windows Dancer must be installed first):
File Name: Scooby Doo for Windows Dancer MCE 2005.zip
MD5: d64acf7889e72c39439c004ca6877dfb
Size: Only 2,17 Mb
http://www.4shared.c...r_MCE_2005.html

2) Windows Plus! Digital Media Enhancements - Full Package :(contains Windows Dancer, Windows Audio Converter, Windows CD Label Maker, and Windows Party Mode):
MD5: c6620655a574a2a7aec33a66d2430827
Size: only 23,5 Mb
http://www.4shared.c...blet_Vista.html

3) Additional stuffs from Xp MCE 2005 - All Original Screensavers : (patched/ported to other Windows OSes, yeah actually you couldn't run them on other OSes without patching them too as well as the apps):
Aquarium, Davinci, Nature, and Space, Require minimal 128 Mb supported DirectX9 VGA card. Btw Aquarium has been my favorite Windows screensaver (till now)
MD 5: df85eb6fb6a47cd52aa18d7b31c0e7b8
Size: only 9,7 Mb
http://www.4shared.c...nd_Space__.html
(Extract and copy them to System32 folder)

- Screenshot of Aquarium Screensaver ported from Xp MCE 2005 to Xp, Vista, 7 (My Fave) :



4) Original MCE 2005 Themes (Skin, Cursors, Wallpapers etc) for Xp/2003 All:
MD5: b42a9eca88983b68a6ce2282493a58f7
Size: 24,9 Mb
http://www.4shared.c...papers_etc.html

5) Vista Movie Maker 2.6 for Xp enhanced with Plus! MCE 2005 Movie Maker addon, ability to edit dvr-ms files etc-> You can also install it on Vista (e.g Vista Basic) and Windows 7 too.
MD5: 1858aaeb375fe236359986a6b9983fe7
Size: only 9,6 Mb
http://www.4shared.c..._26_for_Xp.html

6) Media Center Solitaire Powertoys game ported to Xp Pro and Vista: (thanks to Cephead - WinMatrix)-> Actually you don't need to have MCE for playing it, full screen Windows game with MCE background:
MD5: cde35a7d331281c86a00c46d902a7350
Size: 2,24 Mb
http://www.4shared.c..._and_Vista.html

- Screenshot of Media Center Solitaire:


7) Original Vista Sample MCE Recorded TV (dvr-ms: Apollo 13, Jewels of Caribbean, Vertigo):
http://www.4shared.c...ple_Media_.html

=========================================

4) Added: How to Patch the files and Create a Skin for your Xp MCE 2005 (Simplest Guide):

So i'm just sharing my little knowledge and experience here. You can also make your own resource skin especially if i.e your MCE 2005 has different version/language or you want something "different" or maybe even better than mine here (i.e res from latest build of Windows 7 Beta maybe)
Btw please don't forget to share it on WinMatrix too, Thanx alot

List of Patched Files (MCE executables and resource libraries) :
- ehshell.exe (main MCE executable, icon and string)
- RegisterMCEApp.exe (MCE app registration exe)
- ehres.dll (MCE GUI resource and string library)
- ehdrop.dll (MCE drop target module library, some file type icon and handler)
- ehui.dll (MCE rendering engine library, MCE icon on tasknar minimized window)

Tools:
- Resource Hacker or any binary res editor
- MyThemesStudio app and themes 4 advanced MCE ehres.dll editor (optional)
- Adobe Photoshop, icon 2 PNG converter or vice versa etc
- Powerful text file editor (UltraEdit) or at least Notepad
- .Net framework 1.1 or higher installed
- Ildasm.exe (MS IL disassembler) from .Net Framework SDK/Visual Studio
- Ilasm (MS IL assembler)
- sn.exe (.Net Strong Name Validation tool)
- MSVCR71.dll (MS C runtime library) for runtime dependency
- Replacer or WFP switcher (you can do it in safe mode too)

Patching ehres.dll, ehui.dll, ehdrop dll: You can patch/hack (decompile) them as common resource libraries using Reshack to replace some their resources (icon, WAV, bitmap, png, string etc). Take them especially ehres.dll from Vista / or Windows 7 beta OS in C:\Windows\ehome folder, or from my patched files as your skin templates. Edit (you can edit them i.e PNG by using Photoshop etc) and replace, compile and save them.

ehres.dll -> Most MCE GUI window resource icon and string,
ehdrop.dll -> file type icon association (you can edit them in registry though)
ehui.dll -> MCE icon on taskbar mode (minimized window) and systray

You can also edit some resource as you want, i.e some PNGs by photoshop. Another easier and maybe better way to patch ehres.dll yourself is using MyThemesMCE application: http://www.downloads...d...44&Itemid=3 + some free themes as the basic templates for your own MCE skin later. Even it's better/easier than any binary editor for editing ehres.dll resources only.
Patching ehshell.exe and RegisterMCEapp.exe: Since they are also .net assemblies, you can't treat them as usual PE win32 executables or libraries in usual way, bcoz their code can be tampered too and won't work anymore. You need ilasm to dissambly them before, edit. and re-assembly.

Decompile ehshell.exe (as .net resource) by using ildasm.exe:

1) Open ildasm.exe (it should be in one directory with msvcr71.dll).
2) Copy the "ehshell.exe" file from "C:\Windows\eHome" directory to a temporary directory )i.e C:\temp).
3) By using ildasm Open the "ehshell.exe" file from wherever you put it. Go to File > Dump and in the options dialog that appears afterwards make sure only 'Dump IL Code' and 'Expand try/catch' and "show progress Bar" (optional) checkboxes are checked.
Click ok and save the resulting IL file in a separate directory as "ehshell.il", wait for finishing.
4) Go to temp directory, you will find 2 new files: ehshell.il (Intermediate Language/IL Program logic, Its size should be about 30MB or more (depends on the file version).) and ehshell.res (resource) please uncheck "Hide extensions for known files" before in Windows Explorer to recognize/separate them easier).
5) Open ehshell.res by using resource hacker (or whatever resource editor you have) as .res file/all files not PE, In resouce tree, replace the icon resouce with Vista one (you can take it from original Vista ehshell.exe) etc and change/rename the resource named "0" below the ?? (Icon group resource) and call it

NEUTRALSTRINGS.XML

after that save it back.

6) Open ehshell.il by using any text file editor (e.g. Notepad, Wordpad, or powerful UltraEdit -> My favorite), and only find (by using find/search function) string

"Media Center" (with quotes!)

and change them all (manually one by one - its recommended dont use replace all function) to

"Windows Media Center" 

(This will change the taskbar title bar (minimized window) from "Media Center" to "Windows Media Center" like Vista. By patching ehui.dll too, you also get Vista icon on it. Lol that's it

Save it back as previous/default (UTF-8 format, never use ANSI)

7) Recompile ehshell.exe:
Open command prompt (run-> type "cmd") and execute ilasm (should be in same directory/folder with ehshell.res, ehshell.il, and msvcr71.dll) with this command line parameter:

ilasm /resource:ehshell.res /exe ehshell.il

or simply create, copy, and execute a .bat file in the same folder then execute it. After long time assembly process (few minutes) about 30Mb in size, Please make sure you have seen the created ehshell.exe with new Vista Icon (or refresh the folder).

(Note: This icon is useful to get "100% Vista Flavor" though it may not be much useful in MCE UI (you can still manipulate the old Xp MCE Icon shortcut with Vista before). But if you use e.g Application launcher Gadget for Vista Sidebar ported to Xp, you'll find it's useful since it links only to executables, not their shortcuts, to be perfect "Vistaized"...

8) Last steps/finishing:

Copy all patched MCE files (ehshell.exe, ehres.exe, ehdrop.exe, ehui.dll) + sn.exe + msvcr71.dll in safe mode or using Replacer etc to ehome directory (%WinDir%\eHome) and replace the old files (dont forget to create back-up of them b4!).
Then same simple step above to disable strong name validation error:

open command prompt and execute sn.exe by using this command in ehome folder (to disable .net assembly strong name validation for ehshell.exe, or it won't work since it's been hacked by us!):

cd %windir%\ehome

sn -Vr ehshell.exe

or only

sn -Vr *

(for all .net executables, but i prevented this selectively because of security issue, you can find other executables later) or simply create the bat file with that, copy, and execute it in the directory

You can do the same way with registerMCEapp.exe (it's optional though, or unnecessary)

Or you can also create a reg file that contains this entry for them (would give similar result):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\StrongName\Verification\ehshell,31BF3856AD364E35]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\StrongName\Verification\RegisterMCEApp,31BF3856AD364E35]

9) After that, copy "Windows Media Center" shortcut (Windows Media Center.lnk) to:

Start Menu						 : %AllUsersProfile%\Start Menu or default value "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu"
All Programs							: %AllUsersProfile%\Start Menu\Programs or default value "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs"
Media Center Program Folder: %AllUsersProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Media Center or default value "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Media Center"
QuickLaunch						: %UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch or default value "C:\Documents and Settings\[Your user name]\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch" (You must have to show hidden files and folders before: Windows Explorer->Tools->Folder Options->View, then check "Show hidden files and folders". You can restore them back to default setting later.)
Desktop (optional/additional)   : %AllUsersProfile%\Desktop or %UserProfile%\Desktop default value "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop" or "C:\Documents and Settings\[Your user name]\Desktop"

You can also create the Vista Windows Media Center Shortcuts by yourself there in every place above:

Right Click empty area -> New -> Shorcut (or right click ehshell.exe, "create shortcut" then edit it as below):

Name			: Windows Media Center (will be Windows Media Center.lnk)
Location (Target)	: %windir%\ehome\ehshell.exe (or C:\Windows\ehome\ehshell.exe by default)
Start in		  : %windir%\ehome
Comment			  : Opens your home entertainment option for digital and on-demand media, including TV, movies, music and pictures.
Run			  : Normal Window (by default)

Note: Comment infotip resource is also from ehres.dll (ehres.dll,-116) in MCE setup (in medctroc.inf)

Then also delete all old MCE shortcuts (Media Center.lnk) there. Congrats, now you also have Vista-like shortcut (Windows Media Center.lnk) with its name and comment/infotip to launch Windows Media Center, with Vista taste/flavor. Icon should be automatically linked to default ehshell.exe by default (ehshell.exe,0).

10) Optional: "Optimizing MCE" (Only in Old/Low End Machine - Preventing any error of it on Low End Machine).

- Decompile ehshell.exe by using the above way (ildasm.exe)
- After that, open ehshell.il file by using any text file editor/Notepad (again i recommend UltraEdit, it's awesome app for editing text and scripting)

Go to line 567908 (usually will be different address on another version/build) or only search for the second #StartupError.Title" string (without quotes-This is a load string function for error message) and find some routines like below:

// Code size	   161 (0xa1)
	  .maxstack  9
	  .locals (string V_0,
			   string V_1,
			   class ServiceBus.UIFramework.Dialog V_2,
			   class [EhCM]eHome.UI.Library.DialogMenuItem[] V_3)
	  IL_0000:  call	   class ServiceBus.UIFramework.PageBasedUCPService ServiceBus.UIFramework.PageBasedUCPService::get_DefaultUCP()
	  IL_0005:  pop
	  IL_0006:  call	   class ServiceBus.UIFramework.StringTable ServiceBus.UIFramework.UCPService::get_StringTable()
	  IL_000b:  ldstr	  "#StartupError.Title"
	  IL_0010:  ldnull
	  IL_0011:  callvirt   instance string ServiceBus.UIFramework.StringTable::ProcessLocalisableString(string,
																										class ServiceBus.UIFramework.XmlControl)

OK, look at this string above:

IL_0000:  call	   class ServiceBus.UIFramework.PageBasedUCPService ServiceBus.UIFramework.PageBasedUCPService::get_DefaultUCP()

Change it all to:

IL_0000:  ret

So the entire lines will become:

	  // Code size	   161 (0xa1)
	  .maxstack  9
	  .locals (string V_0,
			   string V_1,
			   class ServiceBus.UIFramework.Dialog V_2,
			   class [EhCM]eHome.UI.Library.DialogMenuItem[] V_3)
	  IL_0000:  ret
	  IL_0005:  pop
	  IL_0006:  call	   class ServiceBus.UIFramework.StringTable ServiceBus.UIFramework.UCPService::get_StringTable()
	  IL_000b:  ldstr	  "#StartupError.Title"
	  IL_0010:  ldnull
	  IL_0011:  callvirt   instance string ServiceBus.UIFramework.StringTable::ProcessLocalisableString(string,
																										class ServiceBus.UIFramework.XmlControl)

That's it. save and recompile it as the above way (step 6 & 9). Next time while you're opening Media Center on old machine, you won't get any error anymore, and it will load quicker. (But you don't have to do this on a capable/new machine, it will be useless and reduced)

===============

11) Optional/Not Necessary In Most Cases -> (Not necessary for converted and original Xp MCE 2005 OS) Porting MCE executable (ehshell.exe) to work on any non Xp MCE 2005 OS (Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC, 2003, Home Server, even maybe Vista Basic) as well as my Windows Media Center installer :
OK, Here are the steps (Just for your information/knowledge):
- After dissasemblying ehshell.exe by ildasm, open ehshell.il by using above way (text editor) then find string "StartupError.NotFreestylePID" (without quotes), using Find and Replace function, then you should see the routines like this:

	  IL_0019:  call	   int32 [EhCM]eHome.Native.Win32::GetSystemMetrics(int32)
	  IL_001e:  brtrue.s   IL_002d

	  IL_0020:  ldc.i4.1
	  IL_0021:  stloc.0
	  IL_0022:  ldstr	  "#StartupError.NotFreestylePID"
	  IL_0027:  starg.s	id
	  IL_0029:  br.s

- look at "GetSystemMetrics" function call string, In MSDN here, it's just the function to retrieves various system metrics and system configuration settings (Note: System metrics are the dimensions (widths and heights) of Windows display elements). But here it's actually an internal function to recognize the OS is MCE or not (e.g Xp Pro, Home, etc).

So i just reversed the call (make it would recognize non Xp MCE as Xp MCE, but if you used it on original Xp MCE, of course the load string function (below that) would give error message (small window) like "Media Center only works in Windows Xp MCE" or something stupid like that, (So it's just optional, as you can also totally disable and skip this step on Xp MCE 2005)

change 

IL_001e:  brtrue.s   IL_002d
to
IL_001e:  brfalse.s  IL_002d

save and recompile it as usual as the above way (step 6 & 9). Done.

=========================================

Thanks and Credits to Microsoft, Rafael Rivera and The Green Button , my good friend Ricktendo64 for his kind permission so i can use most of his MCE skin/ehres.dll resource for my own one and N1K (Wincert), Orbit30, MyThemesStudio app (PCoverhaulers)->for Vista style skin template, and of course mainly the coolest forum WinMatrix with all Winmatrixians here, thanx alot i love you all hehe. Also special thanx to our friend Kyosan (WinMatrix) for inspiring me. And very sorry 4 my very bad English and layout.

=========================================

5) Recommended Links for Xp Users:

- The best internet forum ever for Xp, Vista, and Windows 7 MCE users -> The Green Button (very recommended) :or just Google it:
http://thegreenbutton.com/default.aspx

Since Windows 7 (Beta) is just updated version of Vista at least for now (it still has Vista features but much more enhanced), alternatively you can still use many more replacements for Vista features on Xp. Please visit some of my own threads on WinMatrix below:

- List of Vista Application and Features for Xp (Recommended): http://www.winmatrix...showtopic=20480

- List of Windows 7 Application and Features for Xp (Recommended):
http://www.winmatrix...showtopic=21246

- Please Visit my 4shared - Sharing Download page to get more Vista / 7 stuffs for Xp etc for free (Recommended):
http://www.4shared.c...62/sharing.html

Finally Long Live Xp and Cya! Sorry if my English sucks...

Alternative FTP Mirrors/FTP Links: -> Thanks to N1K from Wincert
you can also download some of them directly from 4shared Folder like above as usual or from FTP links by visiting My similar thread on Wincert too

- Alternative Great Windows 7 Style MCE Skin for XP MCE by Ricktendo64:
http://www.wincert.n...ter-10-english/

Please continue to read My Post #3 below for more info and so on...

Attached Files

•  post.jpg   2.66K   3 downloads

Edited by AMIRZ, 02 January 2010 - 01:39 PM.

[Rudy]

It works perfectly on my xp pro. i have media center now (otherwise i still prefer wmp though) thank you man your f**ing awesome btw where can i get free dvd decoder?

[AMIRZ]

Thanx Bro for the confirmation, i'm glad to hear that it finally works for you. As you could read the installation note/guide that included in the package (or above, thanx for reminding me, sorry i forgot to write the prerequisition above, it's done now), yes you would need DVD Decoder (MPEG-2 Decoder) for playing DVD on MCE since there's no native DVD/MPEG 2 coder support in Xp, unlike Vista (Even original Xp MCE 2005 still needs a 3rd party decoder installed- e.g OEM installation disc).
EDIT: For free MCE compatible DVD Decoder You can download and install free DVD Decoder (WMP and Media Center 2005 Compatible) HERE and K-Lite MegaCodec HERE (you can skip if you already have them installed). To know the DVD decoder that installed on your system is compatible or not with MCE then you can download and run free Windows Xp Decoder Checkup Utility .
Btw please check all your installed programs first. I wish it's already there if you could play DVD on Xp (then check it by the checkup utility tool above to know it's compatible or not). Good luck n sorry 4 my bad English.

Edit: One more lol MCE is not a conventional media player like Winamp/WMP, but an application designed to serve as a home-entertainment in PC (read above): Media + Center: Television, Radio, CD, DVD, music, Slide Show, Messenger, etc. But you can still have it for Xp customization reason, since it's already included in Vista premium editions and/or 7 as different versions (I used it very rarely though). All done just for fun and sharing.

=============================================

My Other Recommended Links To Visit:

- "List of Most Vista Applications and Features on Xp" (This is Very Recommended):
http://www.winmatrix...showtopic=20480

- Get Useful and Enhanced Windows 95-98 context menu file viewer : Microsoft QuickView ported to Xp! HERE

- Get thumbnails of more file types on Xp Explorer (included thumbnails of text and document on Windows Explorer!) HERE

- Get original Vista Snipping Tool, Inkball, Sticky Notes, Texas Hold'Em etc ported to Xp HERE

- Get Vista Explorer File Viewer ( Vista Explorer Preview Pane ) "ported" to Xp HERE

=============================================

Added/Updated:

For more "Vistaized" environment in Xp with MCE:

Original Vista Sample MCE Recorded TV (dvr-ms: Apollo 13, Jewels of Caribbean, Vertigo):
http://www.4shared.c...ple_Media_.html

Additional MCE and Tablet PC Stuffs for Xp :

(Since Windows 7 has also included all tablet PC features as well as Vista and Xp Tablet PC..)

It reminds me about MSFN/Rafael "Xp Ultimate" project several years ago ...although it's been "officially" removed on their sites, but you can still find and download some torrents of it though...). However you can still create your own "Xp Ultimate yourself", more customizable by converting Xp Pro/Home to either or both Xp MCE 2005 and Xp Tablet PC 2005 (OSes). Since they are supersets of Xp Pro with add ons (still based on same code base), hopefully there's no compatibility issue (exception maybe some OEM or unsigned drivers and settings though i.e Tablet PC 2005 basic driver is not compatible with my Toshiba Notebook OEM Battery driver, btw based on my own experience) and don't worry, there's no Xp Pro/Home feature removed.
Here is the simple way without need to reinstall/reformat the OS (you may need some tools that can be downloaded/googled below). Anyway Good luck :thumbsup_anim: :

Download "The Concept of XP Ultimate Edition.pdf" for more info:
http://www.4shared.c...te_Edition.html

- Also visit: http://www.4shared.c...let_PCMCE_.html

=========================================

- Convert Xp Pro/Home/Tablet PC to Xp MCE 2005 without reinstalling the OS:
If you really want to convert Xp to real Xp MCE 2005 OS without reinstalling/reformatting the OS (it will be recognized as original MCE 2005 by MS and updated!)

Some files already included in the package (mediactr.cab, inf so on). You can download my package below

(1.)Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0
Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0.3705 and It's SP3.
Copy "Copy2Gac.exe" to "C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705" (Optional)
Install Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 and its SP1.
Install WMP 10 or 11 and Supported MCE DVD Decoder such as ones from NVIDIA, Sonic, or WinDVD.

(2.)modify MCE registry
Open regedit.exe, goto HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA,
create key named “MediaCenter”. Create DWORD Value named “Installed” in key and valued “1”.

“Installed” value in “MediaCenter” of XP (VLK Ver) OS must be String Value but DWORD value. And “Installed” value in “MediaCenter” key in all server 2003 OS must be string values. Because there are no WinXP MCE VLK and Win 2003 MCE versions. You can’t login if these values are DWORD!

If there is “Installed” valued “0” in “MediaCenter” in your Windows XP, you can not modify it in current OS.
You must use “load HIVE” function in another OS (in another PC/partition) like this: Click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
From the File menu, choose Load Hive,
Navigate to the registry location on your OS such as c:\windows\system32\config\system,name it “temp”.
after you modified the value to “1”,click temp,choose “unload HIVE” to save it.
You can also use Bart PE bootable disc or my fave: ERD Commander 2005 CD (google them)

(3.)install Media Center
Get medctroc.inf, plusoc.inf, sonic.inf (all included) .copy them to C:\windows\inf\ ; then Run following commands to install Media Center

Open Command Prompt (Run -> Type "CMD" without Quotes) or directly double click"MCE.cmd" to run the MCE commands (included).

Install Media Center (Need MEDIACTR.CAB):

rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection Freestyle 128 medctroc.inf

Install Windows Digital Media Enhancement (Need plus.cab):

rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusGold 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusSpac 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusDavn 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusNatr 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusMpix 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusDancer 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusParty 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusAudio 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusCDLM 128 plusoc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusTheme 128 plusoc.inf

Install Sonic DVD and CD Burning (Need sonic.cab):

rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection SonicDVDandCDBurning 128 sonic.inf

Note: After executing command, it will open new dialog window and ask you to navigate/browse to where you placed mediactr.cab, sonic.cab, and plus.cab. Follow and do it.

4) update your MCE 2005 to UR2 (Update Rollup 2). Download it from Microsoft Download Center for free (also with other higher MCE updates if available).

NOTE:
1.Please open full Video and Audio acceleration in Windows Server 2003
Create a folder named "ehome" if it doesnt exist on Server 2003. Copy "CUSTSAT.dll" to it.
2.this way also can be applied to Windows XP/2003 x64 Edition, Both “Installed” must be string values
3.if you have MCE remote control,MCE remote keyboard U can use Drives for XP in Windows Server 2003.
4.Can not install MCE upgrades in Windows Server 2003 because the OS is not WinXP,and there're some other problems by this cause.
5.Can not install Update Rollup 2 for MCE2005 when "Installed" is string value.so when you use XP VOL, you can expand "WindowsXPMediaCenter2005-KB900325-XXX.exe",and install upgrades listed in "paths.ini" manual.

Thanks to neo.JoeJoe

- Download Xp to Xp MCE 2005 OS transformation package (no need to reinstall the OS), guide included: also included mediactr.cab, plus.cab, sonic.cab and their .inf files etc after extracting it :
Name : Convert_Xp_to_Xp_MCE_2005.zip
Size : 165 Mb
MD5 :92c24a535857516fc10ecdf513b86dea
http://depositfiles....files/e36w3x9ja

Mirror download link: http://depositfiles....files/e36w3x9ja
- 4Shared: http://www.4shared.c..._2005_Pack.html

After you have converted Xp to Xp MCE 2005, then please download and install:

- Download Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 :

http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

- Download April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 : http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

- Download Vista Skin for Xp MCE 2005:
File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005.zip
Size: 9,73 Mb
http://www.4shared.c...p_MCE_2005.html

Updated MCE version + skin:

- Download update Rollup October 2006 KB925766 : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925766

and some other latest updates. Note: Again They are not included in SP3 for Xp, you have to download and install them all manually.

- Download Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011):

File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011).zip
Size: 9,73 Mb
http://www.4shared.c...127153011_.html

==============================================

- Convert Xp Pro/Home/MCE 2005 to Xp Tablet PC 2005 OS without reinstalling the OS:
If you really want to convert Xp to real Xp Tablet PC 2005 OS without reinstalling/reformatting the OS (it will be recognized as original MCE 2005 by MS and updated!).
Useful i.e you have Tablet PC with Vista installed but still want to: dual boot it with Xp but you only have original Xp Pro. Just convert it to Xp Tablet PC for free.

1) Install:
-Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0
-Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0.3705 and It's SP3.
-Copy "Copy2Gac.exe" to "C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705"
-Install Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 and its SP1.

2) Navigate : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA and create a key named TabletPC now add a string value named "Installed" and set as 1
Or directly double click "TabletPC.reg" to merge it into registry->Optional though to finally convert the OS to Xp Tablet PC 2005 as you can see the System Properties changed.
But finally the system will still be Tablet PC 2005 OS after some MS updates and boots though.

Install Tablet PC 2005 U can replace above commands for MCE or add both MCE+TPC with these commands

Get tabletpc.inf (included) .copy to C:\windows\inf\ ; then Run following commands to install Tablet PC components:

Open Command Prompt (Run -> Type "CMD" without Quotes) or directly double click"TABLETPC.cmd" to run the Tablet PC commands (included).

rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection TPG 128 tabletpc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection System 128 tabletpc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection OOBE 128 tabletpc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection Notebook 128 tabletpc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection StickyNotes 128 tabletpc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection AllShortcuts 128 tabletpc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection SRInstall 128 tabletpc.inf
rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection AllReg 128 tabletpc.inf

C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\Copy2Gac.exe /i /a /p:"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink\1.7\"

Note: After executing command, it will open new dialog window and ask you to navigate/browse to where you placed TabletPC.cab. Follow and do it.

To make Tablet PC Input Panel etc working/updated, just download and reinstall SP2/SP3 on Xp. Done.

Thanks to neo.JoeJoe

- Download Xp to Xp Tablet PC 2005 OS transformation package (no need to reinstall the OS), guide included: also included tabletpc.cab and tabletpc.inf files etc after extracting it :
Name : Convert_Xp_to_Xp_Tablet_PC_2005.zip
Size : 71 Mb
http://depositfiles....files/173n1c4m1

Mirror download link: http://depositfiles....files/173n1c4m1

After that, please download and/or reinstall SP2 or SP3 for Xp (SP3 is recommended since it's the last one) (i.e to fix/update Tablet PC Input Panel version etc) or using Windows Update.

Xp SP2: http://www.microsoft...&displaylang=en

Xp SP3: http://www.microsoft...&displaylang=en

Note: The process is not reversible/uninstallable though...

Updated: If you can't download from the links above, then you can download them (both, Media Center and Tablet PC packages) on my thread Wincert HERE (please read Post #1 and #7) seems that bcoz of "hotlink protection" by Wincert so you can only download them there (don't worry, you're not required to register or login on Wincert, but again just visit my thread there on Wincert). Thanks to my friend Ricktendo64 for the info.

Download Vista Pack for Xp Tablet PC 2005: http://www.4shared.c...plications.html -> Make Tablet PC applications (Windows Journal, Inkball, Sticky Notes etc) look like the ones in Vista / Windows 7

Special/Recommended Stuffs For XP Tablet PC 2005 Users: Download tip.exe and floattip.exe + some TIP tweaks (Btw it was also included in TIP installer for XP Pro/Home/MCE/2003):

Since we can't create shortcut to launch Tablet PC Input Panel (TIP) directly other than the standard icon on taskbar (maybe there's some hidden parameter to launch it, but i don't know so far), In Vista we can launch TIP by just clicking the shortcut on start menu (this is available in my TIP installer for XP Pro and Home). For Xp Tablet PC 2005 users alternatively you can double click tip.exe or the shortcut of it to launch TIP. Also sometimes Xp Tablet PC users can't always find floating icon i.e when launching Notepad with TIP (maybe depending on brand/hardwares/some drivers etc), then you can use floattip.exe to fix/show the floating TIP icon always. Small size and very useful.

Download: http://www.4shared.c...et_PC_2005.html

Download Vista / Windows 7 Icons for TIP, Journal, Sticky Notes, Inkball (XP Tablet PC Applications):
http://www.4shared.c...icky_Notes.html

==========================================

- Added/Updated for Xp to MCE 2005 Transformation Above (Thanks to Kyosan, WinMatrix):

Here are the steps by tmksnyder on The Green Button :

1) Get a hold of 'Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows CD/DVD'(http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/)

This is a tool that can take your windows CD and make a bootable windows CD for doing system maintenance. Follow the instructions from the tool. It will create an ISO image that can be burned.

2) Boot from your BART PE disk

3) Run Regedt32.exe (choose run from the start/go menu etc)

4) Load the system hive (\windows\system32\config\system)

See http://www.microsoft..._load_hive.mspx for instructions on loading and unloading hives. Use test as your keyname for the hive.

5) Modify the following registry entries in the loaded system hive.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\MediaCenter "Installed"=dword:00000001
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup "SystemPrefix"=hex:ce,13,00,00,00,00,3e,c8

6) Unload the system hive

7) Reboot

8) Check your system properties. It should say 'Media Center Edition'. This means the registry change worked.

9) Proceed with a repair install using your MCE 2005 CD's.

The installer will think it is repairing an MCE 2005 system and will install all the files need for MCE. Good instructions on repair installs are at http://www.michaelst...pairinstall.htm .

10) Run Media Center via Start Menu->Accessories->Media Center->Media Center

==========================================

Note: The process is not reversible/uninstallable though...

Again good luck and long live Xp! Cya (need vacation now hehe)

- The best free 3rd party replacement for Windows Media Center with available thousand skins and plug ins, and MCE remote compatible:

Media Portal: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

You can also use Nero Home as part of Nero Suite, but it's kinda buggy for me (Nero is still the best CD/DVD burning sofware beside Sonic/Roxio)...

Anyway good luck

=============================================

Updated:

Big Green Does Not Work (i.e Launch MC ehshell.exe) - MCE Remote Feature:

Thanks alot for the update Juggz, i hope it can be useful for many people especially MCE users here and out there who still can't use the MCE remote feature. Cheers!

1st off I just want to say "Thank you very, very much" for making this AMIRZ, I am using your WMC Installer for Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC on my laptop w/ XP Pro SP3. I spent quite a while web spelunking some days ago & found your awesome installer. I have been using it since then because the day I found this I acquired a HP USB MCE Remote. I found most everything works as should but I did happen by a couple of bugs (not to sure if anyone else is experiencing these).

Big Green Does Not Work (i.e Launch MC ehshell.exe)

The first thing I noticed was that ol' big green was not functioning. I ended up doing some more spelunking & found this. Before I jumped into regedit as the article states I checked msconfig to see if the entry to launch ehtray at boot already existed, it did & was listed in Task Manager when I checked. I am able to use the Video, Music, Picture buttons to launch MC directly to the corresponding media type. But for some reason it was not picking up the keystroke of big green. One really quick solution I found is using Eventghost, which can be found on sf.net. It has a built in plugin that provides access to MCE remote button remapping.

Here's a quick tutorial:

Download & install EventGhost. Once installed & running, select File->New. Now right-click Autostart & select Add Plugin. Select Microsoft MCE Remote from the list & click ok. right-click Autostart again & this time select Add Macro. In the new window click on the system node & expand it, select Start Application & click ok. In File path input the location of ehshell (i.e C:\WINDOWS\EHome\ehshell.exe) & in the Working directory field input the directory ehshell resides in (i.e C:\WINDOWS\EHome\) & click ok.

Pick up your MCE Remote & press big green. Under description in the log it should have an entry of the keystroke from the remote (i.e MceRemote.Start). Click the entry in the description column & hold/drag it to the new macro. Press big green again & presto!  <img src='http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> 

OR...

If you want to skip all the above you can simply create a new xml file in the directory EventGhost is installed in & add the following to it:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><EventGhost Name="Configuration Tree" Expanded="True" Version="908" Guid="{26532C0B-62AF-421C-A308-C67FC79DE93F}" Time="1236707826.59"><Autostart Name="Autostart" Expanded="True"><Plugin File="MceRemote" Identifier="MceRemote">gAIpLg==</Plugin></Autostart><Macro Name="Start Program: ehshell.exe" Expanded="True"><Event Name="MceRemote.Start"></Event><Action>System.Execute(u'C:\\WINDOWS\\EHome\\ehshell.exe', u'', 0, False, 2, u'C:\\WINDOWS\\EHome\\')</Action></Macro></EventGhost>

Remember to change the two "C:\\WINDOWS\\EHome" references to whatever drive & directory you have ehshell installed on.

I was planing on trying to make an app that uses keyhooking to do this... But this was definitely a lot easier & less time consuming...

The only other thing I noticed is that it did not pick up all the media on my computer correctly. With Videos it picks out what are in the shared folder only, unless I manually add access to a user account or the root of another drive that any reside & it would only go so many directories deep when selecting a path. Until I scanned all my music with WMP again, MC would only pick up what was already in the WMP Library, I tried this trick with video also (i.e synching it in the WMP library) but it did not work. It picks out all the pictures located in the my pictures folder of a user account no problem. Still looking into this one, only if I could figure out a way to manually edit the preset scanned media folder (i.e change from shared to a specific users media directory or directory on a drive)...

I am figuring it might have to do with policy restrictions, maybe the files, directories, or drives need to be set as shared but I would love to know if there is an alternate way for security reasons.

Well I hope this info will help future users & once again thank you AMIRZ for making the most awesome installer!

(EDIT - I totally pulled a boneheaded move & wrote EverGhost, it's actually called EventGhost, DOH!!! My bad!!!
I also changed the sf.net link to link directly to the DL section of the EventGhost site!)

- Download EventGhost: http://www.eventghos...:About#Download

Thanks alot for the update Juggz, i hope it can be useful for many people especially MCE users here and out there who still can't use the MCE remote feature. Cheers!

==========================================================================

Recommendation: Again, if you only want to get working MCE and/or Tablet PC applications on your Xp Pro/Home/MCE (for tablet apps)/Tablet PC (for MCE app)/Server 2003 especially for "Windows customization and standard usability purposes" e.g make it like Vista etc, then it might be enough to install them using my instant Windows Media Center and Tablet PC installers etc. But if you really want to build a real Media Center PC or install it on real Tablet PC with all equipments, then it might be better (recommended) to get original Xp MCE 2005 or Tablet PC 2005 (legal or...lol) or at least you can also convert your current Xp/2003 OSes to Xp MCE 2005 and/or Tablet PC 2005 (or even both) using above ways as recommended. Especially since they might have been intentionally designed and optimized for the purpose by MS (e.g some settings, basic drivers, etc). Please consider about the advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons, before doing the job. You can still use the same skin/GUI on them using e.g My Vista Skin for Xp MCE 2005 or Vista Pack for Xp Tablet PC 2005 applications to make the apps like the ones in Vista / Windows 7, get them here or from my other related threads. Anyway good luck and long live Xp.

Please Note: Since some app files might have been "patched" or "compressed" (packed) to work properly on another Xp OS editions etc and it might be a necessary effort for that beside the installing code itself, then some "false alarm" or "false positive" may happen to some clean exe installers/apps /installation process (rare) although they are actually clean and safe. Usually some great and famous antiviruses (such as Kaspersky, AVG, Norman, McAfee, etc) won't have the such problem so far bcoz they will work better. If that happens, then you can simply ignore it and continue installing as it's guaranteed actually 100% safe and clean by me. But again, it's still 100% your own choice and right to decide.

=====================================================================

Xp OS Transformation Packs:

- Download: Convert Xp Pro, Home to Xp MCE 2005 Pack without clean install:
http://depositfiles....files/e36w3x9ja

Vista Skin for Xp MCE 2005 (Windows Media Center):
http://www.4shared.c...127153011_.html
http://www.4shared.c...p_MCE_2005.html

- Download: Convert Xp Pro, Home, MCE to Xp Tablet PC 2005 Pack without clean install:
http://depositfiles....files/173n1c4m1

Special/Recommended Stuffs For XP Tablet PC 2005 Users: Download tip.exe and floattip.exe + some TIP tweaks (Btw it was also included in TIP installer for XP Pro/Home/MCE/2003):

Since we can't create shortcut to launch Tablet PC Input Panel (TIP) directly other than the standard icon on taskbar (maybe there's some hidden parameter to launch it, but i don't know so far), In Vista we can launch TIP by just clicking the shortcut on start menu (this is available in my TIP installer for XP Pro and Home). For Xp Tablet PC 2005 users alternatively you can double click tip.exe or the shortcut of it to launch TIP. Also sometimes Xp Tablet PC users can't always find floating icon i.e when launching Notepad with TIP (maybe depending on brand/hardwares/some drivers etc), then you can use floattip.exe to fix/show the floating TIP icon always. Small size and very useful.

Download: http://www.4shared.c...et_PC_2005.html

Vista Pack for Xp Tablet PC 2005 (Vistaized Tablet PC Applications UI: Journal, Inkball etc):
http://www.4shared.c...plications.html

Download Vista / Windows 7 Icons for TIP, Journal, Sticky Notes, Inkball (XP Tablet PC Applications):
http://www.4shared.c...icky_Notes.html

==================================================================================================================

BONUS: Just Added Some Tools for Windows Explorer to The Thread Here:

Some Free-Powerful Shell Extensions for Windows XP Explorer

(Recommended for XP - work on other OSes like 2003, Vista, or Windows 7 too)

You can also visit my original thread on Deviantart for more info, updates, etc here (Windows All):
http://amirsyahrani....Tools-142913425

1. XP / 2003 Only: Enable XP / Common Visual Style on Some Controls of Loaded Shell Extensions For Free - An Important feature for Windows XP shell customization...

(Especially 3rd parties) - in shell extensions or activex objects (e.g toolbar button / BHO, explorer bar, context menu items etc) in Windows Explorer, note must support / have InitCommonControls function, with link to comctl32 version 6 in XP/Vista or higher, and so on).

For more info please see some documentations about it on MSDN: e.g http://msdn.microsof...695(VS.85).aspx and http://msdn.microsof...y/ms997646.aspx

(Look, if you have Vista / WIndows 7 then you will notice that Vista / 7 has already improved/enabled the feature natively, by default. You would also get the feature by installing Window Blinds on XP, but it's not free though...).

To get the visual feature on XP and 2003 as default (M$ didn't do it for "some political reason" lol), on any shell extensions (especially 3rd party, if supported) visually without installing or patching any file, especially when on non-classic theme, just simply put / copy the explorer.exe.manifest (external manifest file) to Windows Directory to enable the feature without tampering explorer.exe itself or any system file (just take advantage of its "hidden" native feature instead). Easy to do that, without any special skill or "hacking" and programming language at all, lol that's it. It's safe and not harmful at all, would make XP shell looks better. You can safely delete it easily anytime if you dont want it anymore. Useful for both dev and user. Very small size (download explorer.exe.manifest for only less than 1 KB lol!)

For Example:

A. Before applying manifest (oldy):

(Click to enlarge)

B. After applying manifest (better look):

(Click to enlarge)

Download it Here (With Guide & Batch Files etc):
(and just put it on Windows Directory (%Windir% or C:\Windows, then restart Explorer/Windows to see the changes)

http://www.4shared.c..._Extension.html

Or Just Download explorer.exe.manifest file only:
http://www.4shared.c...xplorerexe.html

Alternatively you can also copy this code and save it as .manifest file named "explorer.exe.manifest" using Notepad:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" 
manifestVersion="1.0">
<assemblyIdentity
    version="1.0.0.0"
    processorArchitecture="X86"
    name="CompanyName.ProductName.YourApp"
    type="win32"
/>
<description>Your application description here.</description>
<dependency>
<dependentAssembly>
        <assemblyIdentity
            type="win32"
            name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls"
            version="6.0.0.0"
            processorArchitecture="X86"
            publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df"
            language="*"
        />
    </dependentAssembly>
</dependency>
</assembly>

You can also use it with any "MyApp" app with myapp.exe executable file for similar purpose as well (if supported, with above requirements e.g has link to comctl32 and so on), just rename it myapp.exe.manifest (following the executable name) and put it as external file in the same directory e.g in MyApp folder).

To get the same result on control panel extension/applets (.cpl), since .cpl is actually a dll that is running by using rundll32.exe, then just use same manifest file (renamed to "rundll32.exe.manifest") and copy it to C:\Windows\system32. You may need to restart Windows (or the service) before the change appears.

Download (complete): http://www.4shared.c..._Extension.html
Or download rundll32.exe.manifest file only: http://www.4shared.c...undll32exe.html


2. "New Folder" Button in XP Explorer Toolbar / Command Bar (just like Windows 7):

Actually Windows XP already has its own "Make a new folder" button too, to create a new folder in Windows Explorer (it's located in XP Webview Panel/Common Task Pane, see screenshot: http://img243.images...folderbutt.jpg/ ), but yeah some people would love it's on the explorer toolbar as well as Open/Save dialog box (and just like Windows 7 RTM Explorer now). Hopefully useful for you...

Since Baxbex new folder offered only old Windows 98 style icon (not matching with new XP visual style) see: http://www.baxbex.co...xnewfolder.html , then you can just download this free add on for new folder button in XP Explorer Toolbar (my created-skinned/reshacked bxnewfolder with Vista / 7 style icon etc) + using hotkey and floating dialog box, + external manifest file (explorer.exe.manifest) to enable XP / Visual style on some controls as above. Fully functional and working as well. See online screenshots: http://img263.images...oninxpexpl.jpg/ and http://img263.images...dialogboxa.jpg/

-> Screenshots of "New Folder" button on XP Explorer Toolbar:
(Sorry can't display more larger images here for some technical reason):

A. Vista / 7 style icon new folder on XP Toolbar:

(Click to enlarge)

B. Creating new folder on XP Explorer:

(Click to enlarge)

C. Creating new folder dialog box - useful and cleaner UI with XP / Vista visual style:


Download it Here:

http://www.4shared.c...er_Toolbar.html

Hopefully still useful especially for XP users here (works on 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003..., while it has only dialog box and hotkey on Vista and 7 though). By the way, since this one is just using the same library from baxbex new folder (it's freeware, all credits and thanks to Baxbex), and most people had complaint about that they were not able to reshack the app using Resource Hacker / any res editor to change the original "old" Windows 98 style icon etc in the bx toolbar, actually it's because the file (activeX dll) was encrypted and compressed (packed) with 3rd party PE compressor (e.g UPX, Execryptor...), after checking it by PEid then i found it that was Aspack 2.12 and then decided to unpack it, (note: not all app binaries can work properly after they are unpacked, so it's also necessary to dissassembly, dump and rebuild the PE headers, some fixes and rechecks etc) until the dll was registered fine, finally the little work was kinda like reverse engineering rather than just reshacking lol. And since it was unpacked (uncompressed), the size become little bigger of course lol although there's no problem with it, anyway i wish they would also update the app in near future, soon...

Updated: If you already have standard/original Baxbex New Folder application installed: http://www.baxbex.com/ , then you can also just download this smaller patch only to get Vista style icon (would also give the similar result): http://www.4shared.c...atch_Only_.html


3. FolderBox for Windows Explorer (Unpacked too/Skinned/skinnable):

A free application that displays additional folders (window) in the lower part of Windows Explorer, displays the contents of two folders or more, useful and cool (with Windows 98 icons though). So i just changed some few UI features of it (unpacked and res-edited like BxNewFolder above, "fixed" text, enabled "dead" icons and so on...). a free application that displays additional folders (window) in the lower part of Windows Explorer, displays the contents of two folders or more, very useful. Since it's already unpacked, you may customize the icons yourself if you want later, by using any capable delphi res editor e.g PE Explorer. At least it's still better than original look imo, + also enabled (some) XP visual common controls as said above, works well on Vista and Windows 7 as well as Windows XP:

Screenshot:

(Click to enlarge)

Edit/Updated: Beside the standard one, i've just added FolderBox with Vista Icons (on its toolbar - see screenshots), sorry just got them for free (free Vista toolbar icons, 100% legal). Just like the standard one, FolderBox with Vista icons will work well on all Windows versions: 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, and Windows 7 without any problem so far:

Screenshot of FolderBox (with Vista icons) on XP and Windows 7:


(Click to enlarge)

Download it here:

http://www.4shared.c...ed-Skinned.html

Again this FolderBox version works on Windows all: 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7...all credits to Baxbex for the free original apps (just skinned them).

Updated: If you already have standard/original Baxbex FolderBox application installed: http://www.baxbex.com/ , then you can also just download this smaller patch only to get Vista style icons (would also give the similar result): http://www.4shared.c...atch_Only_.html


4. Another Useful File Viewer for XP Explorer With Preview Pane (just like Vista / Windows 7 feature):

Preview any file on Windows Explorer (text, documents, images, multimedia audio-video, compressed binaries etc) without using the default application, easy and faster:

Screenshot:

(Click to enlarge)

Updated: it's already included a patch to get Vista style icons too (optional) now, in the same download package below:

Download it here:

http://www.4shared.c...s_Explorer.html

OS: Windows XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7...(Windows All).

You can also please visit my thread here for more options etc:
http://www.winmatrix...ew-pane-for-xp/


- Added Here: Some other free "special" shell extension-based tools/apps that might be useful for you (file viewers and metadata properties tools etc) here:

Download links:

- EXIF tooltip & tag editor on context menu :
http://www.4shared.c...Windows_Xp.html

- Multimedia tooltip & tag editor on context menu (album art + metadata editor etc) :
http://www.4shared.c...r_Explorer.html

- Thumbnail for text files on Windows Explorer :
http://www.4shared.c..._explorer_.html

- Vista Explorer preview pane for XP (File viewer-Complete) :
http://www.4shared.c...ane_for_Xp.html

- MacOSX/Leopard-style Coverflow (AKA Quicklook) for Windows Explorer (directory, file content, & thumbnail viewer etc):
Explorer Coverflow for Windows by Vemod - aqua-soft.org (full credits to him) :
http://www.aqua-soft...showtopic=52376 Edit: there are still "afew issues" with Vista/7 though, also seems it's not quite stable on XP. Anyhow it's still free and working, and seems the app itself is still under development/being developed...(thanks to my friend Kyosan for the info btw).


Note: XP/2003: You need administrator rights to install the shell extensions. Vista/Windows 7: Make sure you always install/register/run "as administrator" (self explanatory)...

Edited by AMIRZ, 18 November 2009 - 12:00 AM.

[Rudy]

done. seems no problem so far. Thank you man oh my friend has mce 2005 on his pc and he's happy with the skin

[Secured Tim]

Great job once again AMIRZ!

[AMIRZ]

done. seems no problem so far. Thank you man oh my friend has mce 2005 on his pc and he's happy with the skin

You're welcome Bro, i'm glad to hear it

Great job once again AMIRZ!

Thanx alot 4 Ur nice comment Bro I hope they can be useful 4 people especially Xp users here (as Xp enhancements)... or at least just for fun...cya

Edited by AMIRZ, 17 February 2009 - 07:06 PM.

[Lord Devrexster]

Cool work. Altho I dont use media center that much...

[AMIRZ]

Cool work. Altho I dont use media center that much...

Thanx Lord Devrexster, so do i (very rare. To play music, i always use WMP or Winamp instead), maybe once a month just to open and close after afew seconds hehe Yeah the main purpose was just for adding more Vista style stuffs to Xp desktop, all just 4 fun maybe that's way it's called "Desktop Customization", even though the app might not be so useful for us (except only its GUI)

Btw i love your WMP 11 port on Windows 7. It rocks with the deskband! Again thanx alot

[Culprit]

nice post i used to use the audio converter until i discovered soundtaxi but once again nice post

[kth7]

Hmm. Nice work!. Wonder if i can use it, my Media Center version is 5.1.2715.3011 Update Rollup 2

Edited by kth7, 18 February 2009 - 06:19 AM.

[tweakwindows]

Excellent work!.By the way, is it legal? I mean, Have you crated a new one with Windows skin?

[coldemone]

For me, I dont even know what Media Center is.

[AMIRZ]

nice post i used to use the audio converter until i discovered soundtaxi but once again nice post

Thanx Bro just for fun

Hmm. Nice work!. Wonder if i can use it, my Media Center version is 5.1.2715.3011 Update Rollup 2

Oh seems that MS has just updated the MC app (i'm sorry, i thought i've already used the latest version ). Will update it soon. Could you upload your own files? (only ehshell.exe, ehdrop.dll, ehui.dll, ehres.dll). I would be happy to patch/hack them for you and other people here. Or you can PM me too. Thanx alot for the info Bro

Edit: Btw i would also write tutorial how to patch them here soon (especially ehshell.exe as .Net assemblies)

Excellent work!.By the way, is it legal? I mean, Have you crated a new one with Windows skin?

Thanx Bro, i think it's still "legal" (or at least permitted) here, as well as other ports. No i haven't yet, sorry i don't get it, what did you mean with "Windows skin' Bro? Thanx

For me, I dont even know what Media Center is.

...

Edited by AMIRZ, 18 February 2009 - 12:24 PM.

[RickSOLET]

Another great thread by Amir! Keep up the great work.

[AMIRZ]

Another great thread by Amir! Keep up the great work.

Thanx Bro

[Abhi]

Nice Work Amirz.

[AMIRZ]

Nice Work Amirz.

Thank You Bro Abhi

[Shady16]

Thx for the program AMIRZ Just wanted to say, when I run installer file my Anti-Virus software(Avira) says that file contains malware(virus) HEUR/Crypted.
http://www.avira.com...ur_crypted.html
But I think it goes for a FP(false positive) and it isnt a virus, right?
Anyway, keep up the good work!

Edited by Shady16, 19 February 2009 - 07:39 PM.

[AMIRZ]

Yes surely it's just a false positive, i just recompiled my own installers using Smart Installer Maker (SIM) Full Version: http://www.sminstall.com/ (it's signed as green site by McAfee SiteAdvisor: http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/sminstall...os_ver=5.1.3.0) but in fact afew AV often give false positive to some compiled installers that created by it. I can guarantee all my files/content are clean, and the installers won't replace any Windows system file except some patched app files, registry tweaks, file registration etc.

Most of other good AntiViruses/AntiSpywares such as AVG, McAfee, and Kaspersky, etc (all with latest updates so far) have still reported my installers are 100% clean so far. Anyhow i'm sorry for this little incovenience and thanx alot for your input/report and understanding Bro, it's very useful and important for me and i promise i'll investigate and fix them. Once again, i guarantee that in the name of my WinMatrix membership, trust, and honour, it's really a false positive as they are and will (always) be 100% clean as expected, please don't worry, you can still download, install, and use them 100% safely as usual, guaranteed. That's also way i added MD5 checksum for each of uploaded files to make sure it won't be "contaminated" in the future. Again, thanx Bro best regards n sorry for too long explanation and my very bad English here lol (hopefully it's clear now )...

Edit: In some cases, some clean and safe 3rd party app exe and installers with the clean and safe content could/might be detected as viruses/malwares suspects (false positives) by some/afew antiviruses although some of them only based on heuristic approach bcoz of behavior of the installers and content themselves with maybe hidden routine code just like viruses (as some exe packers/compressors may do the job "as well" i.e UPX Packer. (i.e some routine might be "hidden" by the packer/compressor just like some viruses/malwares, so it would often give some "misunderstanding" xD), same with some of my works, i.e some installers, so please don't worry), some tampered code and resource or replaced system files in Windows (i.e by VTP and some transformation packs, patches, etc), patched/cracked app etc although they are actually safe and clean/not malicious at all etc. The false positive may also because i.e it's a ported/(hacked/patched) version of original MCE on Xp Pro with all its efforts and without converting the OS as well as some "patched/cracked (tampered)" app binaries and their patches as above although in fact they are still actually clean and safe to use for us:
http://www.avira.com...ur_crypted.html

For the case of my MCE installer, if you got a false positive, then usually the behavior only temporarily happened during the installation process or only on the installer, and the system should be still clean after installing the app (while also deleting the temporary extracted installation file folder), so IMO you can safely ignore that (AV won't detect anything after the application installed/installation process finished), i meant if you rescanned your system back after installing my application, then the system would still be clean as it was before. If it's really a malware/carrier, any Antivirus will still detect some "aliens" that were remaining in your PC after the application installed (and i can guarantee it won't happen with all of my installers, becoz they are really clean and safe as expected)

Anyway please happy enjoying Windows Media Center on Xp with all possible Vista and Windows 7 style enhancements. Long live Xp! Thanks for your attention and support guys, cya...

Edited by AMIRZ, 30 April 2009 - 04:36 AM.

[AMIRZ]

UPDATED:

Thanx to our friend kth7 for the info (read his post above). I have updated/added new link of Vista /7 skin for MCE version 5.1.2715.3011 - Update rollup October 2006 (lol i thought it was included in Xp SP3, in fact it wasn't, even update rollup 2 is not too. Strange, seems that Xp SP3 only included MCE 2004 files as i have extracted medctr.cab and only found lower versions than UR2). UR2 (2006) > SP3 (2007)? Lol

This skin is only for Windows Media Center application in Windows Xp Media Center 2005 OS build 5.1.2715.3011 (The latest update for Xp MCE - Post Update Rollup 2 + Update Rollup October 2006 KB914548 - please read below). Please check the Media Center version by opening Media Center application -> Software version or manually right clicking the ehshell.exe -> file version.
It should be version 5.1.2715.3011 -updated (do not replace if different or usually it won't work!).
If your MCE version is lower, to update MCE to latest version 5.1.2715.3011, then you must have to install Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 and April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 (skip them if your version is already 5.1.2715.2883), and KB925766 for Xp Media Center 2005 (to get version 5.1.2715.3011) which you can download them all from Microsoft for free (WGA validation required).

- Download Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 : http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

- Download April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 : http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

- Download update Rollup October 2006 KB925766 : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925766

and maybe some other latest MCE 2005 updates too (but at least you must already have them all above installed before using this MCE skin version 5.1.2715.3011).

Note: Again They are not included in SP3 for Xp, you have to download and install them all manually.


- Download Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011):

File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011).zip
Size: 9,73 Mb
MD 5: 8d1879585a6fd4faa6b771c32b043390
http://www.4shared.c...127153011_.html

Edited by AMIRZ, 23 February 2009 - 01:48 PM.