Need help with something you downloaded? Try here!
Published on January 18, 2007 By Island Dog In OS Customization

It seems like everyday someone comes into IRC or makes a forum post and asks....."I downloaded this file from WinCustomize, how do I make it work?"  Well I thought it was time to write a guide to let our members know what to do when they download a file from WinCustomize.

When you click to view a gallery in WinCustomize, the gallery you select will have a description telling you which software (if any) you need to use for that particular download.  The screenshot below highlights the description area.

 

In the screenshot above I am in the DesktopX theme gallery.  It gives you a brief description of the gallery and links to the product page required for that download.  So basically whatever gallery you are browsing, the description and links at the top of the page should tell you what software you will require.

Here is some of the more common files and their associated programs.  Click the links to find out more information about the product.

When downloading a skin, theme, wallpaper, etc. from WinCustomize, always be sure to read the authors description.  People will often include important information in their description such as a specified resolution for a DesktopX theme.

If you need an explanation of what some of these applications do, and then here is a series of articles on how to change your desktop theme.

If you still need help, always feel free to post to our forums, join us in IRC, or visit the WinCustomize Wiki.


Comments (Page 1)
on Jan 18, 2007
Excellent post I_D. I'll be redirecting many to read this.  Thanks!
on Jan 18, 2007
This should be labeled FAQ and available on every page.
on Jan 18, 2007
This should be labeled FAQ and available on every page.


No doubt. On IRC the other night I was saying that when someone downloads a theme, a popup should come up that lists what program you need, a link to that prog, and a tutorial on how to use it. That and of course making the gallery description stand out oh so much more than it does now. But oh in a perfect world....
on Jan 18, 2007
I always think its funny that people download tons of things and never know what they will do, or how they work. When the instructions are right on the page where they clicked on the thing they wanted to use. its amazing.

This will help, good idea ID!
on Jan 18, 2007
Excellent post indeed.

While you're in a writing mood...

I'm still waiting for a tutorial that will explain how to get all that stuff on the screenshot I downloaded working...
on Jan 24, 2007
  
on Jan 24, 2007
I'm still waiting for a tutorial that will explain how to get all that stuff on the screenshot I downloaded working


You get a THUMP for that
on Jan 24, 2007
ID - you really have been writing some great articles lately.
on Feb 01, 2007
ok i downloaded the "VistaLook2" and i have no clue what to do with the .desktop file type in the .rar. so if yall can help, thanks
on Feb 01, 2007
If you read the first post, it says that .desktop files require DesktopX. Loading DX Themes
on Feb 01, 2007
Have you figured it out yet Rebel14/88?
on Feb 04, 2007

LMAO

  
on May 02, 2007
LoMa
on May 10, 2007
Okay this is bollocks....


I download this, I download that, I need to find this online, I have searched for and downloaded every file type extension opening program majjigger on the list that ID provided and they all come back to this Stardock thing I am in right now...


I have downloaded the Symplex theme and I can't use it, I have downloaded a ".suite" theme that magically does xxx all, so can someone please e-mail me at sam4292@hotmail.co.uk to tell me how to use WinCustomize efficiently without just downloading shit that I can't use, pleaes?

on May 10, 2007
I have downloaded the Symplex theme and I can't use it, I have downloaded a ".suite" theme that magically does fuck all, so can someone please e-mail me at sam4292@hotmail.co.uk to tell me how to use WinCustomize efficiently without just downloading shit that I can't use, pleaes?


Symplex theme is a WindowBlinds skin with a .wba extension.  If you look at the guide it will tell you what you need to have in order to use the theme that was downloaded.

A .suite file is for Theme Manager, but you will still need the associated software (Windowblinds, Iconpackager, etc) to use the components.