So you went to customize.org and you saw the most badass desktop ever and you want to know how it’s done right? now that you realize that posting a comment saying “great screenshot, how did you do this?” doesn’t get you anywhere, this tutorial will attempt to reveal to you the basic steps of desktop customization in windows and point you in the right direction as to where to achieve more advanced effects.

Enabling WinXP to use 3rd party themes:

Universal UXTheme Patcher:
The UXTheme Patcher allows you to use any 3rd party msstyle theme on Windows XP/SP1/SP2 by patching the uxtheme.dll (dynamic link library).

To simply patch the UXTheme.dll file, run the program, it will determine your operating system, then patch the appropriate file and reboot your PC.
To un-patch the UXTheme.dll file, run the program again, and it will un-patch the .dll and then reboot your PC.
Download Universal UXTheme Patcher

For Windows XP SP3:

• UXTender, the SP3 UxTheme Patcher
• Patched Uxtheme.dll
• UXTheme Multi-Patcher 6.0

Download visual style from any of these site:
- Neowin.net: Completed Visual Styles
- deviantART: Visual Styles
- Customize.org: XP VisualStyles

After you have downloaded the visual styles; usually in zip format; extract it to c:\windows\resources\themes\

Right click desktop > properties > appearance tab, select the visual style you just installed.

Another method is to use WindowBlinds; download here; also 30 days trial.
You can get themes for WindowBlinds from WinCustomize

Wallpaper:

As you may have guessed, your desktop background or “wallpaper” is integral to the overall look of your desktop theme.

A good rule of thumb for wallpapers is to always use one that has a solidly colored area so you can place your icons and other desktop elements without interfering with the wallpaper’s focal point. This becomes a problem sometimes when you’re using a wallpaper that has a lot of three dimensional work and doesn’t really leave room for a blank area. This might require you to edit the wallpaper a bit to your liking and may be more trouble than it’s worth.

some good resources for wallpapers are:

- customize.org
- deviantart.com
- Pixelgirl
- Mac OS X wallpapers
- MobiusCo
- Mandolux
- MagnetStudio
- Vladstudio
- WallpaperStock

Disclaimer:
1. I’m not responsible if you mess up your registry and your computer decides to no longer work. just so you know, do all of these things at your own hazard.
2. Guides are taken from other guide scattered in the forum and other forums.

Related posts:

1. Synchronizing your PDA With Your Desktop Computer
2. How To Hack Your iPhone Theme

1. Buy a water cooling system from a computer store (online is usually the best) you can get the water cooling systems from website’s like NCIX.com, or tigerdirect.com.
2. Buy non-conductive water so if you spill it on your computer you wont wreck it (coloured ones look the coolest).
3. Get rid of the heat sink over top of your processor (if you don’t you wont be able to install the water cooling). This will have a fan and is in the center of the chip. Make sure not to rip the chip straight off the motherboard.
4. Clean the top of the exposed chip with an alcohol wipe and apply thermal paste (a conductive metal- or silicone-based grease that should come with the kit).
5. Install the water block. Install the water block using the provided mounting bracket. The mounting bracket will sandwich the mother board with a bracket on the bottom and the top connects with two screws. As always, and especially with electronics, don’t over-tighten the screws.
6. Put your computer back together.
7. Know that once you have put your computer back together you can turn it on and check for any leaks.

Related posts:

1. PDA’s That Won’t Install Programs Properly