Vista Tutorial - Windows Sidebar Theme

**Brink** · **STEP ONE:**

How to Change the Windows Sidebar Theme in Vista

Information

By default you cannot change the theme for Windows Sidebar in Vista. However, with the free 3rd party Windows Sidebar Styler program you can.

Tip

For free Windows Sidebar Themes to download, see: WinCustomize: Sidebar Styler Gallery

RELATED LINKS:

STEP ONE:
How to Get Windows Sidebar Styler

1. Go to the Windows Sidebar Styler website by Stanimir Stoyanov.
NOTE: Located here: http://www.stoyanoff.info/blog/code/styler/

2. Download the 32-bit or 64-bit version for your version of Vista.
NOTE: To see what bit version you have of Vista, open Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon. You will see the version under System type:.

3. Turn off Windows Sidebar temporarily and install the downloaded program.
NOTE: This will add a Stanimir Stoyanov folder in the Start menu in All Progams. The Windows Sidebar Styler shortcut is located here.

STEP TWO:
How to Use Windows Sidebar Styler

1. Make sure Windows Sidebar is turned off.
NOTE: See: How to Turn Windows Sidebar On or Off in Vista

2. Open Windows Sidebar Styler.
3. This screen will let you see all the individual items in the loaded theme. (See the left screenshot below)
NOTE: See step 7 for how to load a theme.

4. Click on the Toggle View button to see what the Sidebar will look like with the loaded theme. (See the right screenshot below)

5. To Change the Windows Sidebar Theme -
A) Click the Apply Style button. (See the screenshots above)
NOTE: If Windows Sidebar Styler did not automatically load Windows Sidebar, then turn it on to see the new theme.

6. For Additional Options -
A) Click the More button. (See the left screenshot above)
B) Select the options you want and click OK. (See screenshot below)

C) To Unlock and Lock the Sidebar - Right click on the Sidebar, when turned on later, and click Lock or Unlock. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This acts like the Taskbar and allows you to drag the Sidebar wider or thinner when unlocked.

7. To Load a Theme -
A) Click the Load a Windows Sidebar Style button. (See screenshot below)
B) Navigate to where you saved the downloaded theme and select it and click Open.
NOTE: You can download a theme from: WinCustomize: Sidebar Styler Gallery

8. To Save a Theme -
A) Click the Save Windows Sidebar Style button. (See screenshot below)

9. To Go Back to the Default Windows Sidebar Theme -
A) Click the Revert Images to Default button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This only loads the default Windows Sidebar theme into Windows Sidebar Styler. You can then Apply it to the sidebar.

10. To Uninstall a Theme -
A) Click the Uninstall Styles and Extensions button. (See screenshot below)
B) Confirm the action.

11. Turn Windows Sidebar back on.

That's it,
Shawn

**John_Lawrence** · 10-07-2008

WOW,

haha, finally, my wish is granted......

Thanks Shawn!

**Brink** · 10-07-2008

You're welcome John.

Shawn

jaystar1itall · 12-10-2008

i have tried to use the styler but it refuses the change the look of my sidebar. ive closed it and tried some of the basic styles included with the program and ive even tried to get some other ones from wincustomize.com but none of them load. i just keep getting the grey box that i had when i first got this computer... kinda wanted it like transparent or something different because my firends have it but it came standerd on theirs so.... idk what to think. its kinda driving me nuts...

**Brink** · 12-10-2008

Hello Jatstar1itall, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Are you getting any errors? Did you click on the Apply (Play) button after selecting the skin to apply the change?

You might also contact the program's support to see what they may say to.

Shawn

jaystar1itall · 12-10-2008

yes i have clicked the play button and no i dont get any errors. it looks like the sidebar reloads (it blinks) so idk...

EDIT: i got it! i had to turn my visual styles on windows and buttons on. i turned it off in the thought of making the computer faster. sorry for the trouble ^_^

**Brink** · 12-10-2008

You will need to make sure that the Sidebar is turned off first, in step 1 (STEP TWO), before apply this, then turn it on.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

jaystar1itall · 12-27-2008

i did turn off the sidebar but i had some visualizations turned off so it never showed...

**Brink** · 12-27-2008

LOL, well I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out and working now though.