[Jatin]

Rafael has been modifying a system file called Uxtheme.dll for unlocking the ability to use custom .msstyle files (visual style) for the last 9 years when Windows Whistler (codename of Windows XP) emerged. And, been providing the modified Uxtheme.dll for all the Windows version released till date for free. Where as all others softwares which provide similar functionality have never been for free.

But since the very bigging patching Uxtheme.dll has been a trouble. Now Rafael and Max, a friend of him whom he calls "kernel driver writing guru" have decided to come up with a better solution.

Say hello to UxStyle
UxStyle is their solution consisting of a light-weight system service named Unsigned Themes, complimentary to the Themes service, and a kernel driver, sizing in at ~500k and ~17kb respectfully (beta builds). The service handles the enabling/disabling of custom theme support and the kernel driver handles patching. For 64-bit platforms, the kernel driver is signed with a digital certificate, as required by Microsoft.

The product would be split into two SKUs, a Core and a Premium package.



UxStyle cannot be made freeware. (Read the update below) I think the whole of the years he had been providing his free services to Windows customization community, now in return he deserves to be paid.

UxStyle Core will offer functionality closest to the pre-patched files as possible and will obviously be the cheapest of the two solutions. Current thinking is Core will be about 4USD. He do plan on having a promotional launch event that will give away free copies and have an introductory first-month (or so) price of merely 99 cents. (Read the update below)

UxStyle Premium will offer a tad more, including live/automatic updates, additional code to correct the infamous “Windows Aero” theme name issue in the Appearance Settings window on Windows Vista/7, along with direct support from Rafael and Max. Planning for the premium SKU hasn’t been finalized in any way, but the thinking along pricing is to mark it at about 8USD.

Both SKUs will be for the duration of your life, none of this subscription silliness. They are currently trying to push for a release alongside Windows 7, near the 2009 holiday season.

The support for pre-patched Uxtheme files will end at that time.

Please give your comments, how do you feel about it? Head over to Rafael's website for more information and updates.

Update:
Rafael has further clarified that he will keep the core version available for free. He will put up a donate link so that we can thank him for the hard work he has done for us.
Read on page 2 for more information.

Update 2:
New version released! Post your comments here:
http://www.winmatrix...1-now-released/

[MistaBishi]

Thats great that they are releasing that! Its a great idea, But does that mean they aren't going to make uxtheme.dll patches anymore?

[M.Sudoku]

Quote

But does that mean they aren't going to make uxtheme.dll patches anymore?

Yeah

I'll try to grab it for free on the promotional launch event or for 99 cents.

[Syzygy]

uxtheme still sounds more simple, because kernel writing sounds too dodgy...could cause a crash :| (Not saying it definitely will)

[Lord Devrexster]

But what would it provide MORE than what patched-uxtheme.dll provides ?? Isnt it less pricier to just have patched dll's. Altho the price is really really acceptable but still if same things can be done in both scenarios I wud prefer patched dlls since they come completely free ...

NOT saying that other people will NOT find this easier ... ofcourse its easier this way than replacing dll's.

[ForumUser]

Nice! can't wait.

[The Flashing Fish]

Is Rafael the only person who knows how to patch the uxtheme.dll? Because honestly, I have no problem doing it myself. Because to be honest, if I'm going to pay to use custom themes, I'll just buy WindowBlinds or just stick with the default theme, which is what I'm currently using in Vista and Windows 7.

Does anyone know if anyone else is able to patch the uxtheme.dll?

[SamiWiecieKto]

Core...premium...ultimate...ultimate final...corex....premiumex....ultimatex finalex etc.
;]

Quote

I think the whole of the years he had been providing his free services to Windows customization community, now in return he deserves to be paid.

and that's why customization community is where it is now - such thinking

Anyway, icon reminds me one of my designs - so I like it

[fediaFedia]

Hmm, I don't think that's fair, even though the price is small, not all people have web money, including me. Also i wouldn't want in memory running uxthemes, i rather patch it myself.

[Villain]

good idea, but it will never work.
some will buy it, yes, but in the end, Premium will be hacked / patched / serialed/ regged / etc... and all of his work will be for nothing.

that is the bad thing of being a freeware developer that is trying to make money now, no one takes you seriously. it is a good idea, but because people expect his uxtheme to be free, then they would rather go out and pirate it then pay the $4.

[Lord Devrexster]

I am going to have a look if I can come up with the patched dlls ... I know some things about how to go about it ...

But so also will many people who are 1000 times better than me ... so maybe someone will come up with it much befor me.

Nevertheless I am going to have a look...

[Eye Pie Rate]

This will never work.
No-one will pay to use themes.
WindowsBlinds is just cracked 90% of the time.

[PurplePeopleEater]

Jatin, on Mar 23 2009, 12:40 AM, said:

additional code to correct the infamous “Windows Aero” theme name issue in the Appearance Settings window on Windows Vista/7, along with direct support from Rafael and Max. Planning for the premium SKU hasn’t been finalized in any way, but the thinking along pricing is to mark it at about 8USD.

Whats this infamous issue I never heard of??

[gcnaddict]

I'm guessing those of you who don't feel charging for this is justified are broke high school students living in your parents' attics.

The number of files required for patching in Windows for themes is ballooning at a rather mindnumbing rate. It's no longer just a matter of flipping a single bit in uxtheme.dll; there are now a good number of files with multiple checks which need to be worked around with every new build... and soon, with every new update to an RTM installation of Windows.

I know Rafael personally, and I know enough about him to tell you guys that 9 years of patching this stuff for free while dealing with shit from people who expect him to patch it has started to take a toll on him and his time. If you think you can do it for free, go ahead, but he stopped doing it for free because there are far too many ungrateful people out there to make it worthwhile.

4 bucks isn't a lot. If anything, he might even be able to release it on Impulse (I'm sure Brad would be happy with that, anyway). If you can't cut 4 bucks out of your lunch money, let alone 99 cents during the promotional period, maybe you should look into patching it yourself or just not using customized themes on Windows. I'm working on a theme concept I haven't touched since Longhorn 4074, and it'd be a shame if you guys missed out on it just because you couldn't hold your appetite back in high school for a day.

tl;dr: you guys took uxtheme patching for granted and treated Rafael like crap, so payware is the only way Rafael knows to filter the worthless from the grateful.

Enjoy your day.

-Bryant, AeroXperience Chief Editor

This post has been edited by gcnaddict: 23 March 2009 - 07:25 PM

[Secured Tim]

PurplePeopleEater, on Mar 23 2009, 07:11 PM, said:

Jatin, on Mar 23 2009, 12:40 AM, said:

additional code to correct the infamous “Windows Aero” theme name issue in the Appearance Settings window on Windows Vista/7, along with direct support from Rafael and Max. Planning for the premium SKU hasn’t been finalized in any way, but the thinking along pricing is to mark it at about 8USD.

Whats this infamous issue I never heard of??

I think he is talking about this.

Rafael is GOD. I'll buy UxStyle Core as soon as it will be released.