Windows XP Skinning software - WindowsBlinds vs uxtheme.dll hacking
 

Since re-installing Windows XP today post-HDD failure I've been wondering about what the best way to modify the visual appearance of my system. I really dislike the default themes. I used to hack the uxtheme.dll and apply Visual Style files directly, however I've been wondering if I should just switch to WindowsBlinds? On top of the Visual Style stuff, I needed to have a Styler running and a few other applications (Y'z Shadow, for example) and this ended up eating up memory. Which is better?

What's the best (most efficient time wise for the user and easy on the system memory) method for replacing the default icons?

Windowblinds is, undoubtedly, more powerful than a simple uxtheme.dll hack. It really depends on what you prefer and whether you're willing to trade CPU cycles and memory for more customisability. I found that uxtheme.dll worked just as well as Windowblinds; there are only very few extras that can be done in Windowblinds that can't be done with a custom uxtheme.dll. (Transparency, for example.)

Programs like Y'z Toolbar and Y'z Shadow should not adversely affect system resources. I would recommend a custom uxtheme.dll with the extra customisation programs, but it's up to you whether you're willing to give up Windowblind's extra features. You may find that Windowblinds will integrate a theme better with Y'z Toolbar, Shadow, and other programs; I don't use any of those programs so I wouldn't know myself.

As for icons, I found that Stardock's IconPackager worked really well and did not hinder start-up times or eat RAM for breakfast. After my recent format I've not re-installed it yet, so I've been looking for another way to custom icons but alas, IconPackager seems the most efficient way.

Oh crap, totally forgot about your pm :(

Here =)

I've been a windowblinds user since WB4 came out, and pretty much see no reason to switch. Using comparable skins, resource / memory usage is pretty much the same. If you're using a skin with lots of animation and transparency etc in windowblinds, then of course the usage is going to be higher.