Windows Server 2003 is the latest OS out (at the time of this article), and is extremely similar to Windows XP. However it's a server OS and as such, the theming service is disabled, and visual styles are not enabled by default. Not only that, but you will need the latest UXTheme patcher in order to use these. Never fear....thanks to the great guys at MSFN there are instructions and a patched uxtheme file ready for you to skin your Server 2003 OS.

Let's get started....

Firstly, to use visual styles you will need to enable, and start, the theming service. This is rather simple...

• Go to Start->Run
• Type in "services.msc" without the quotes and hit enter
• Scroll down to Theming Service and doubleclick on it (or right click and choose properties)
• Change the startup type from disabled to Automatic
• Hit apply, and then ok
• Right click on Theming Service and choose Start

Ok, that enables the theming service, and will now allow you to use one of the 3 original Luna styles....but who wants that?

We will want a backup of this file available for those that manage to hose this operation so download a copy of the original uxtheme.dll file as a backup here:  uxtheme_original.zip ( 99.33k ) Number of downloads: 394


Now, we have two options here...the automatic (recommended) method, and the manual method. We will start with the automatic method, and then I will go into explaining the manual method.


Automatic Method

xBetas has developed the following patcher to install the custom uxtheme.dll file automatically. Just doubleclick the exe file, click Patch (ignore any Windows File Protection messages you get and reboot.

 Patch2k3.zip ( 124.67k ) Number of downloads: 536



Manual Method

Ok you are the crazy person that wants to do this manually....

Click here to download the patch file:  uxthemepatch.zip ( 99.86k ) Number of downloads: 365


It also contains a .cmd batch file developed by MSFN that will do some of the work for you. Extract the files and then follow the following directions:

• Copy UXTheme.dll to C:\WINDOWS\System32\dllcache
• Copy the uxthemepatch.cmd to the root of your C:\ drive
• Reboot into Safe Mode Command Prompt (Press F8 upon booting)
• Once the Command Prompt has loaded, type cd\ followed by enter, then type uxthemepatch followed by enter.

After it reboots you should be able to use the visual styles in Windows Server 2003. Any questions should be directed towards our Visual Style Help forums.

thank you
downing!!!