My method to enable the Classic Theme
May 23, 2023 11:59:28 GMT -8
Post by gombau on May 23, 2023 11:59:28 GMT -8
Given that with previous guides I went through some imperfections such as themed leftovers (such as themed context menus and so on), I finally found a solution to fully launch (at least on my case) the Classic Theme at logon. It is done with Classicthemetray, a batch file and a scheduled task.
- First of all, you must download Classicthemetray. It can be found here.
- Move it or copy and paste it into a reliable folder. For example, in C:\Classic. Needless to say you must create that folder in C:\ before moving it there.
- Create a batch file with the text below. This is the file that will launch the classic theme when logging on. Notice that between Classicthemetray and userinit there is the timeout command. This is specially important, as it will allow some time to userinit to properly launch with the classic theme enabled. What seemed to happen when the Classic Theme did not fully launch at logon is that both programs started or nearly started at the same time, which made userinit not fully process the Classic Theme. I wrote "1" which represents 1 second, as it already works for me that way, but in case it does not work in yours you could add more. Put the batch file in a reliable folder too, it could be in C:\Classic too.
Remember that in case you do not use a folder with the name "Classic" you must change the address to your folder where Classicthemetray is located.
- Create a scheduled task for the batch file, with a reliable name. It could be the same as that of the previous folder for example.
- The task must run with the highest privileges, and run only when the user is logged on.
- In the triggers section, you must also set it to run only at log on, in the settings section within triggers set your user in "specific user", and of course within advanced settings check "enabled".
- In the actions section create a "Start a program" action and write the address of the batch file in "Program/script".
- In the conditions section, make sure "Start the task only if the computer is on AC power". Alternatively, everything in this section could be unchecked.
- In the settings section uncheck "Stop the task if it runs longer than...".
· You could also create a new task launching ApplicationFrameHost.exe with the same configuration as that of the batch file, except for running with the highest privileges. This is in case you need to use the metro apps (specially settings) and go through problems with them.
- Finally, in Regedit go to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" and in the Userinit string value replace (although first back up the key just in case):
with
(If you did not name the task "Classic", change it for the name of the task).
- Restart and the Classic Theme will be enabled. You will need to configure it with tools such as desk.cpl, apart from replacing the main Task Manager with the Windows 7 one. You will also need to use Explorerpatcher to fix several things, and in case you do not want to use Explorerpatcher as shell extension, you will need to download WindHawk and use the "Disable Immersive Context Menus" and "Shrink Address bar Height" mods.
- First of all, you must download Classicthemetray. It can be found here.
- Move it or copy and paste it into a reliable folder. For example, in C:\Classic. Needless to say you must create that folder in C:\ before moving it there.
- Create a batch file with the text below. This is the file that will launch the classic theme when logging on. Notice that between Classicthemetray and userinit there is the timeout command. This is specially important, as it will allow some time to userinit to properly launch with the classic theme enabled. What seemed to happen when the Classic Theme did not fully launch at logon is that both programs started or nearly started at the same time, which made userinit not fully process the Classic Theme. I wrote "1" which represents 1 second, as it already works for me that way, but in case it does not work in yours you could add more. Put the batch file in a reliable folder too, it could be in C:\Classic too.
start C:\Classic\ClassicThemeTray.exe /enable
timeout /t 1 /nobreak
start C:\Windows\System32\userinit.exe
exit
timeout /t 1 /nobreak
start C:\Windows\System32\userinit.exe
exit
- Create a scheduled task for the batch file, with a reliable name. It could be the same as that of the previous folder for example.
- The task must run with the highest privileges, and run only when the user is logged on.
- In the triggers section, you must also set it to run only at log on, in the settings section within triggers set your user in "specific user", and of course within advanced settings check "enabled".
- In the actions section create a "Start a program" action and write the address of the batch file in "Program/script".
- In the conditions section, make sure "Start the task only if the computer is on AC power". Alternatively, everything in this section could be unchecked.
- In the settings section uncheck "Stop the task if it runs longer than...".
· You could also create a new task launching ApplicationFrameHost.exe with the same configuration as that of the batch file, except for running with the highest privileges. This is in case you need to use the metro apps (specially settings) and go through problems with them.
- Finally, in Regedit go to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" and in the Userinit string value replace (although first back up the key just in case):
C:\Windows\System32\userinit.exe,
C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe /run /tn \"Classic\"
- Restart and the Classic Theme will be enabled. You will need to configure it with tools such as desk.cpl, apart from replacing the main Task Manager with the Windows 7 one. You will also need to use Explorerpatcher to fix several things, and in case you do not want to use Explorerpatcher as shell extension, you will need to download WindHawk and use the "Disable Immersive Context Menus" and "Shrink Address bar Height" mods.