Windows Sidebar Theme

How to Change the Windows Sidebar Theme in Vista

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





STEP ONE
How to Get Windows Sidebar Styler

1. Go to the Windows Sidebar Styler website by Stanimir Stoyanov.​
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.​
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.jpg
Toggle_View.jpg

5. To Change the Windows Sidebar Theme
A) Click on 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 on the More button. (See the left screenshot above)​
B) Select the options you want and click on 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 on the Load a Windows Sidebar Style button. (See screenshot below)​
B) Navigate to where you saved the downloaded theme and select it and click on Open.​
NOTE: You can download a theme from: WinCustomize: Sidebar Styler Gallery
Load.jpg


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


9. To Go Back to the Default Windows Sidebar Theme
A) Click on 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 on the Uninstall Styles and Extensions button. (See screenshot below)​
B) Confirm the action.​
Uninstall.jpg


11. Turn Windows Sidebar back on.​
That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

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Last edited:
WOW,

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

Thanks Shawn!
 

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You're welcome John.

Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

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    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
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    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
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    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
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    16 GB DDR4-2133
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    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
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    Conexant ISST Audio
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    17.3" UHD IPS touch
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    3480 x 2160
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    512 GB M.2 SSD
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...:cry:
 

My Computer

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
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
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 ^_^
 
Last edited:

My Computer

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
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
LOL, well I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out and working now though. :)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
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