Windows Sidebar Theme

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

• How to Turn Windows Sidebar On or Off in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Windows Sidebar in Vista
• How to Fix Windows Sidebar not Starting in Vista
• How to Fix the Windows Sidebar Gadget not Displaying Correctly in Vista

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.

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)

Styler.jpgToggle_View.jpg

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)

More.jpg

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.

Lock.jpg

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

Load.jpg

8. To Save a Theme -

A) Click the Save Windows Sidebar Style button. (See screenshot below)

Save.jpg

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.

Default.jpg

10. To Uninstall a Theme -

A) Click the Uninstall Styles and Extensions button. (See screenshot below)
B) Confirm the action.

Uninstall.jpg

11. Turn Windows Sidebar back on.