Sweet Black Theme for Windows XP
I've received a number of emails asking where we got the sweet black theme for Windows XP in most of the screenshots. It's the Zune theme from Microsoft, which you can get directly from their download site:
The best thing about this theme is that it doesn't require any cracks or hacked versions of system files, since it was created by Microsoft. Just run the installer and it's ready to go.
Here's a screenshot of the default theme look.
The first thing I do is swap out the background image with something better.
Enjoy!
The Geek is the founder of How-To Geek and a geek enthusiast. When he's not coming up with great how-to articles, he's probably writing at his personal blog. This article was written on 06/1/07 and tagged with: Windows
Thanks for this! It's awesome! Does Microsoft have any others like this? My Media Center Laptop came with a different one as well.
Thanks!
In fact I was skeptical at first, but now I set all of my PC's to this theme (not my Linux box's though). Definitely want to change the Desktop Background right away though … LOL!
oh…This theme is too old, launched with Zune arrival. I am using it from last 5 months.
I've been using it for many months as well, but most people don't know about it.
"…but most people don't know about it."
yeah, like me, many thanks for the link.
i was tired of the old look of my xp.
but is there a way to change the color of the 'Start' buttom?
Sadly, you can't change the color of the start button… you could always use a custom theme if you patch XP's userstyles file.
The only problem with that is that every time I use a patched theme I end up with out of memory errors and stuff like that. I prefer the legit signed themes if I can help it.
Of course, I'm running Vista and Ubuntu… I only use XP in a virtual machine these days.
If you don't like the orange button try the royale noir theme. Its more or less the same but with a black button
http://www.softpedia.com/get/D.....heme.shtml
Sadly, you can't change the color of the start button… you could always use a custom theme if you patch XP's userstyles file.
The only problem with that is that every time I use a patched theme I end up with out of memory errors and stuff like that. I prefer the legit signed themes if I can help it.
Of course, I'm running Vista and Ubuntu… I only use XP in a virtual machine these days.
good
wow this looks really sweet, thanks for the tip!
i think that blue ice from add ons from mozilla and this are a good mix
Is there a way to change FireFox and Thunderbird to match now?
\/\/
awasome a color theme that works without crashing your system thank you very much
Praise the lord almighty!
I've been wanting a black theme to match my windows media player for months…
I'll deal with the orange…
gr8 theme
thanks for the link
been waiting for black theme without the hassle of installing n e software for it !!
orange on black is my fav combination !!
It doesn't work on Win Xp x64
At least, not with SP1 only; I won't install Sp2 because it supposedly disables DaemonTools.
This won't work on XP x64 even with SP2. I read else where that it is possible to install on a compatible machine then manually install on x64 by dragging and dropping to replace the current theme… Sounds dodge to me, plus I gave my second PC away.
Hey man thanks! I have been searching for a real theme forever and you are the first. Thanks a million!
ty 4 the download was gr8
looks good!
and no hastle
I like the royale noir but it's unfinish theme…
i love this! tell microsoft i said thank you!
5/5
oh bangin! thanks! i've been waiting for a cool black theme for ever now for xp, now my nasa space launch firefox and office 2007 black finally match my everything else
I like this theme,because it looks like FireFox's skin with theme.Thx for sharing!!
''if you don't like the orange button try the royale noir theme. Its more or less the same but with a black button
http://www.softpedia.com/get/D…..heme.shtml''
Wow this theme is awesome, thanks james !!
Neat design and look. It's just nice to have it on your desktop
Hey, thanks a lot! I just formatted my PC and I was too bored to go through the usual theme-download-then-crack thing, but this solved my problem!
One problem I have had with the Zune theme is that when I point to a file or item in a windows explorer window, the selection turns solid blue which obscures the name of the file (dark blue on black). This does not happen on drop down menus.
Any ideas
This is awesome! Thanks!
Thanks for the link. its a cool theme I have found another theme that matches to this one but Without the orange and the start button is black . To install that theme you must have style xp and then you can apply the theme without any problems..
Try this with the Pitch Black theme for Firefox and Thunderbird
I finaly found what i wanted!
other sites are junk!
first i doesn't know about my xp colour then i knew by my frnds about this and i go thru it and changed my windows xp color
What a fantastic theme is this.
i love it very much!!!!!
Thanks Friend for this excellent theme.
XP has discontinued themes but I could get it through the direct link you have provided here.
wayhay! love this theme. goes with my windows live and my firefox i think black on a computer looks the bizz thanks mate
cool theme!!!
I love this theme, its so great. Makes me feel like im using a brand new computer. It so sleek and shiny! GREAT WORK!
Try this with the Zune theme for Firefox, looks awesome xD
Hi
Thanks for even making this site.
You can find all kind of stuff on this site.
I just want to say this
10x a lot! it`s a great them.. those who use Firefox muat try the nasa lunch theme f firefox..
Wow, I've been searching for non-blue-ish theme for XP for years. FINALLY!
Wow!! U guys are realy cool! u have been using this for months? I just worship u!
Fracking awesome! finally something useful related to Zune
man u rock…thnx a lot for this
awesome theme!! AHH im gonna set that up right now! by the way…is that coachella i see in the background??
it doesn't work , i have an error and it says "This installation package could not be opened. Verify that the package exists and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid windows istaller package"
thanks man, i just reformatted my comp and it didn't feel right with the default themes.
cheers.