Windows XP themed interface manifest

[doublev]

To all of you who have Windows XP (any version) and want to see WinAmp interface (Options dialog and others - not the main form -> you will need a skin for that) in Windows XP themed form (all buttons will be like in other WinXP enabled apps etc.) download the attached file and change the name from winamp.txt to winamp.exe.manifest (manifest IS the file extension) and put it in the same folder where your winamp.exe is located (C:\Program Files\Winamp in most cases) and you are set. Don't forget to restart WinAmp after this (yes, yes, I know you hate to stop the music but hey, what can we do? )

In case you want to create this file by yourself here is the content:

---8<---cut---8<---
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1"
manifestVersion="1.0">
<assemblyIdentity
name="WinAmp"
processorArchitecture="x86"
version="1.0.0.0"
type="win32"/>
<description>Windows Shell</description>
<dependency>
<dependentAssembly>
<assemblyIdentity
type="win32"
name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls"
version="6.0.0.0"
processorArchitecture="x86"
publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df"
language="*"
/>
</dependentAssembly>
</dependency>
</assembly>
---8<---cut---8<---

That's it. Try it and tell me what you think!

[missyob]

Must be the blonde hair here, I dont understand. I really want to understand what you just said, but my brain capacity wont let me.

Maybe someone could help me understand?

~ Missy

[John M]

yeah, i will.

IF YOU DONT USE XP GO AWAY!!!

what that script does is make winamps dialog interfaces look like your XP theme. so the prefrences window will look like the XP theme

[doublev]

If you have Windows XP:
Run WinAmp. Open Preferences. Look at it for a moment. Close the Preferences. Close Winamp. Download the attached file above. Change it's name from winamp.txt to winamp.exe.manifest
Put it in WinAmp's directory. Run WinAmp again. Open Preferences. Look at it now!

[John M]

bah! my explanation is mo bettah

[doublev]

I saw it too late

BTW, this works for almost any other application. Just rename the file to yourapp.exe.manifest and it will work. I've tested it!

[John M]

so, theoretically, you could write a program that hunted down .exe's and then created the manifest for the proggie?

[doublev]

Do you want me to do that?

But be warned, some applications don't behave well when you force them to use XP themes so you are not advised to do this automatically.

[missyob]

Thanks, once again. My brain understood it that time. I have windows 98se on this computer, but XP on my other computer.

I will try it.


~ Missy

[John M]

Originally posted by doublev
Do you want me to do that?

But be warned, some applications don't behave well when you force them to use XP themes so you are not advised to do this automatically.

ya know what would be sweet? a proggie that hunted down .exes, listed them in a dialog box from which you could sel=ect which ones you wanted to theme, but be able to contact a server database with a list of programs that dont work, and the proggie could reccommend that you not apply themes? that would own

[doublev]

Don't you think this is a bit too much for such a "stupid" task? Why don't you just go and create that manifest for every application you use and see if it works. If it doesn't simply delete the file.

[John M]

Originally posted by doublev
Why don't you just go and create that manifest for every application you use and see if it works.

cuz i run 98se

[PabUK]

Why have I never heard of this feature before??? I write software and have been wondering how to get the XP look in my programs!

[SNYder]

post a screen shot

[doublev]

here it is!

[bonj]

nevermind

[eleet-2k2]

N.I.C.E.

[mark e]

Cool

[SNYder]

Originally posted by doublev
here it is!

thats cool looking ... but if you have a theme on windows xp, doesn't it effect ALL Windows (tm) windows? including the Winamp preferences window? If so, then why is this download nessisary?

[PabUK]

No SNY although you would expect that to be the case (I did!) it isn't. Only Windows components made to use the new styles have it - everything from Notepad to System Restore for instance. All other programs keep the old style. I assume this was done to prevent compatibility problems, but it is annoying when you create software and it still looks old and dull in XP.

[s1138]

sweet!

i shall now go and play around, probably crashing my computer in the process

[dj_rigo]

That thing is in the MSDN website!
I've used XPish dialogs since a lotta time (also winamp )
Some programs really look bad with Manifests.


BUT CAUTION: VISUAL BASIC PROGRAMS WON'T START IF YOU USE .MANIFEST FILES. THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THEM WORK IS TO TURN ON COMPATIBILITY MODE FOR THEM (ANY OTHER VERSION OF WINDOWS WILL WORK FOR COMPATIBILITY). Weird bug.