Windows xp media center edition theme

English:

Especially for XP users, here are the 4 official Microsoft extra themes for Windows!
Advantage: you

don’t have

to patch any system file. You can use them directly.

The installer contains the following theme (in order in the preview):
Royale
Users of Windows XP Media Center Edition should know this one: it’s the default theme used by this version of XP.
Royale Noir
A black version of the Royale theme (see above).
Zune
A derivative Royale theme inspired by the Zune interface.
Embedded
This theme is the default theme of Windows Embedded, a special and customizable XP version for integrators.

You can choose to install all themes, or to select which themes to add to your computer. Once the installation is done, the Display Properties window appears, allowing you to directly select and apply a theme.

XP x64 users, use the «Official_XP_Themes_64» installer. Others users, use the «Official_XP_Themes» installer.

_{Themes are ©Microsoft, installer is ©Springs/Springs01 (Me)}

—————

Français

Spécialement pour les utilisateurs d’XP, voici les 4 extra thèmes officiels Microsoft pour Windows !
Avantage : vous

n’avez pas

à patcher de fichier système. Vous pouvez les utiliser directement.

L’installeur contient les thèmes suivants (dans l’ordre de l’aperçu) :
Royale
Les utilisateurs de Winddows XP Media Center Edition devraient le connaître : c’est le thème par défaut utilisé par cette version d’XP.
Royale Noir
Une version noire du thème Royale (voir ci-dessus).
Zune
Un thème dérivé de Royale s’inspirant de l’interface Zune.
Embedded
Ce thème est le thème par défaut de Windows Embedded, une version spéciale et personnalisable d’XP, destinée aux intégrateurs.

Vous pouvez choisir d’installer tous les thèmes, ou de sélectionner les thèmes à ajouter à votre ordinateur. Une fois l’installation terminée, la fenêtre des Propriétés d’Affichage apparaîtra, vous permettant de choisir directement un thème à appliquer.

Utilisateurs d’XP x64, utilisez l’installeur «Official_XP_Themes_64». Pour tous les autres, utilisez l’installeur «Official_XP_Themes».

_{Les thèmes sont ©Microsoft, l’installeur est ©Springs/Springs01 (Moi)}

Besides the main application of Windows Media Center, Windows XP MCE 2005 also includes other updated features and advanced applications.  Some of them are enlisted below:

• Royale desktop theme as its default theme (instead of XP’s default theme of Luna/Bliss)
• Screensavers and themes:

          — Windows XP MCE 2005 (screensaver)
          — Aquarium (theme & screensaver)
          — Da Vinci (theme & screensaver)
          — Nature (theme & screensaver)
          — Space (theme & screensaver)
          — My Pictures Premium (screensaver)

• Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition:

          — Photo Story 2
          — Party Mode
          — Analog Recorder
          — CD Label Maker
          — Dancer
          — Audio Converter
          — Effects and Transitions for Windows Movie Maker 2
          — Alarm Clock
          — Sleep Timer
          — Skins for Windows Media Player 9 Series
          — Sync & Go for Pocket PC

• Windows Media Player 10
• Windows Media Format Runtime 9.5
• Windows Movie Maker 2.5
• Extender support

Summary:
In the following tutorial, we will discuss about how to transform Windows XP (other editions) to Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Do not forget to read the «VERY IMPORTANT NOTE» at the end of this post.

Bundle download (Complete transformation pack):

PRE-REQUISITES:
     1. Windows Media Player (latest version) (WMP version 11 is recommended)
     2. .NET Frameworks:

                — (i)   .NET Framework 1.0 (updated upto Service Pack 3)
                — (ii)  .NET Framework 1.1 (updated upto Service Pack 1)
                — (iii) .NET Framework 2.0 (optional)


     3. Supported DVD/MPEG-2 Decoder for WMC and a 3rd party codecs (optional but highly suggested)


     4. DirectX 9 Runtime (Redistributable Package) latest version (optional)


     5. Supported/capable MCE hardware/machine/peripheral (optional)


     6. DVD ROM/Writer (optional)


1. Windows Media Player:

Download and install the latest version of Windows Media Player for Windows XP from Microsoft’s official website:

• Windows Media Player 11

Note:

If you have already installed WMP 10 or WMP 11 on your system, you are not needed to install it again.

2. .NET Frameworks:

This stage involves a step-by-step process, i.e., first thing is to be installed first, second thing is to be installed after first’s installation, and so on.  In order to avoid any error, as a first step, you have to install .NET Framework 1.0, then 1.1 and so on. Under .NET Framework 1.0, you have to install .NET Framework Redistributable and then the Service Packs. Same procedure will apply to .NET Framework 1.1 and 2.0. Lets take .NET Framework 1.0 first:

.NET Framework 1.0:

To enable the WMC feature in Windows XP, you are needed to install all the following updates/service packs of .NET Framework 1.0:

• .NET Framework 1.0 Redistributable
• .NET Framework 1.0 SP3 (KB867461) English

Instructions:
Download the above installers and install them in the following chronological order:


1. NET Framework 1.0 Redistributable
2. NET Framework 1.0 SP3 (KB867461) English


.NET Framework 1.1:

After installing .NET Framework 1.0 (upto Service Pack 3), you have to install .NET Framework 1.1:

• .NET Framework 1.1 SDK
• .NET Framework 1.1 Redistributable
• .NET Framework 1.1 SP1 (KB867460) English

Instructions:
Download the above installers and install them in the following chronological order:


1. NET Framework 1.1 SDK
2. NET Framework 1.1 Redistributable
3. NET Framework 1.1 SP1 (KB867460) English


.NET Framework 2.0: (optional)

Although, the installation of .NET Framework 2.0 is optional, but to run certain WMC addons like Alarm Clock and Playlist Editor without any error, its installation is inevitable:

• .NET Framework 2.0

Instructions:
After installing .NET Framework 1.0 (updated upto SP3) and .NET Framework 1.1 (updated upto SP1), you can now install .NET Framework 2.0.


3. Supported DVD/MPEG-2 Decoder for WMC and a 3rd party codecs: (optional but highly suggested)

Since Windows Media Center uses Windows Media Player engine to play videos, and Windows XP (other editions) does not have a native DVD support, therefore, you will be needed to install DVD decoder/codecs to play DVD and non-supported videos, like FLV, OGG, VOB, some AVIs, MP4, etc. in WMC and WMP.  So it is highly recommended to install a 3rd party codecs software.  My favourite video codec software is K-Lite.

Note:

If you have already installed any of the 3rd party codecs software, you are not needed to install K-Lite:

• K-Lite Codec Pack Mega

Instructions:
1. Simply run the installer you downloaded from the above link;

2. During installation, when asked, set the default player to Windows Media Player to run 3rd party videos you usually watch, for e.g., FLV, MOV, MP4, etc.  This will enable to watch non-supported videos in WMC as well as WMP.

3. During installation, when asked, enable the thumbnail viewing for 3rd party videos you usually watch, e.g., FLV, MOV, MP4, etc.  This will enable to view the thumbnails of non-supported videos in WMC as well as WMP.

4. DirectX 9 Runtime Redistributable Package: (optional)

DirectX 9 Runtime Redistributable is necessary for smooth animations and graphics. Download link is as below:

• DirectX 9 Runtime Redistributable Package

Instructions:

Simply run the installer.

5. MCE Hardware: (optional)

If you do not have supported MCE hardware, i.e., TV Tuner, etc., you can still get the WMC working absolutely fine with your computer.

6. DVD ROM/Writer: (optional)
WMC can work absolutely fine without DVD ROM even without CD ROM.


WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER:

After installing all the aforesaid pre-requisites, you can now run Windows Media Center installer.  The WMC version that I have uploaded is tweaked for better installation and appearance:

• Windows Media Center (link fixed 27/3/21) (PASSWORD)

Instructions:

1. Double click the «WMCSetup.exe» installer file, and follow the steps, the installer will take 3 to 6 minutes to install WMC on your computer;

2. The installer will automatically create shortcuts in Desktop, Start Menu and Quick Launch;
3. After finishing installation you are not needed to reboot.


Note:

• It is highly recommended to close all the running applications.
• Create a system restore point, if you feel necessary, so that in case of any system failure, you can switch to your system’s previous good point.
• If you want uninstall the WMC, simply go to Control Panel then double Add or Remove Programs and then uninstall the Windows Media Center.

WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER ADD-ONS:

Media Center Solitaire:

To play Solitaire in Windows Media Center, download and install the following:

• Media Center Solitaire (link fixed 13/9/2015)

DEFAULT THEME

Windows XP Media Center Edition theme on Windows XP Professional

Windows XP MCE 2005 has a very attractive and shinning visual styler as compare to other editions of Windows XP.  To get the Windows XP MCE 2005’s default theme, i.e., Royale theme aka Energy Blue theme on your Windows XP (other editions), download the following zipped folder:

• Royale Theme (link fixed 13/9/2015)

Instructions:
1. Unzip the folder and copy it to C:WINDOWSResourcesThemes
2. Open the desktop properties and then change the theme to Energy Blue Theme

BOOT SCREEN (new)

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Boot Screen on Windows XP Professional

Windows XP MCE 2005 has a different boot screen.  To get the Windows XP MCE 2005’s default boot screen on your Windows XP (other editions), you have to install TuneUp Utilities to apply the bootscreen:

• TuneUp Utilities
• Boot screen (link fixed 13/9/2015)

LOGON SCREEN (new)

Windows XP Media Center 2005 Logon Screen on Windows XP Professional

Windows XP MCE 2005 has a different logon screen, which is quite similar to Windows Vista.  To get the Windows XP MCE 2005’s logon screen on your Windows XP (other editions), you have to install TuneUp Utilities to apply the logon screen:

• TuneUp Utilities
• Logon Screen (linked fixed 13/9/2015)

SCREENSAVERS & THEMES

As stated above, Windows XP MCE 2005 includes the Aquarium, Da Vinci, My Pictures Premium (screensaver only) Nature and Space themes and screensavers.  To get the same, download the zipped application from the following link:

• Windows XP MCE 2005 Screensavers & Themes (link fixed 13/9/2015)

Instructions:

1. Run the application that automatically copy all the screensavers and themes to their default folders;

2. After installing the application, open the desktop properties and then change the theme or screensaver as per your desire.

MICROSOFT PLUS! DIGITAL MEDIA EDITION

Microsoft launched Plus! Digital Media Edition along with Windows XP Media Center Edition.  It has many attractive applications enhancing users’ experiences with photos, videos and music.  It was later released as a separate software package.  As stated above, Microsoft Plus! DME includes the following things:

          — Photo Story 2
          — Party Mode
          — Analog Recorder
          — CD Label Maker
          — Dancer
          — Audio Converter
          — Effects and Transitions for Windows Movie Maker 2
          — Alarm Clock
          — Sleep Timer
          — Skins for Windows Media Player 9 Series
          — Sync & Go for Pocket PC

You can download and install all of the applications included in Microsoft Plus! DME packed in a zipped folder:

• Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition (link fixed 12/9/2015)

Instructions:

1. Download the zipped folder and unzip it in C: or D: or any other drive. But make sure that you are unzipping the folder in a root directory, i.e., C: or D: etc. Otherwise, the extractor/installer will show an error.  This is because of long names of folders provided by Microsoft, and the extractor/installer faces a problem while extracting or installing the folder which is already in folders like Downloads, My Documents, etc. with long roots. Again, DO NOT EXTRACT THE ZIPPED FOLDER IN DOWNLOADS, MY DOCUMENTS, or DESKTOP;

2. After unzipping the folder to a root directory, i.e., C: or D: , now run the Setup.exe file.

3. At the end of the installation, the installer will ask for activating the product, just ignore it and click the Next button, and you are done!

CD Label Maker

Party Mode

Photo Story

Alarm Clock

Windows Dancer:

Microsoft Plus! DME already includes the Windows Dancer app, but it does not include the Windows Dancer Downloader and some other interesting dancers.  Besides this, Microsoft Plus! DME includes the small-sized dancers.  To get large-size dancers, Windows Dancer Downloader and some other interesting dancers (which are not included in DME), you have to download the following:

• Windows Dancer (link fixed 13/9/2015)

Instructions:
1. First run the «Windows Dancer Setup» file, which includes only the Amanda dancer.

2. After installing the above file, now install the «Windows Dancer Downloader» file, in order to download and install more interesting dancers.

Windows Dancer Downloader

WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER 10

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 included an upgraded version of Windows Media Player 10.  But I have included the link of more updated version of WMP, i.e., Version 11:

• Windows Media Player 11

But still, if you want the original Windows XP MCE 2005’s Windows Media Player 10, visit the following link:

Simply run the installer.

WINDOWS MEDIA FORMAT RUNTIME 9.5

Get the latest version of Runtime 11:

• Windows Media Format Runtime 11

Simply run the installer.

WINDOWS MOVIE MAKER 2.5

I have uploaded an updated version of Windows Movie Maker 2.6, which is also a default movie editor of Windows Vista:

• Windows Movie Maker 2.6 (link fixed 13/9/2015)

Instructions:

1. Download and unzip the folder;

2. Copy the Windows Movie Maker 2.6 folder to C:Program Files;

3. Copy the shortcut to Start Menu.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

Since some application files might have been «patched» or «compressed» (packed) to work properly on your XP system, therefore, some «false alarm» or «false positive» may happen to some clean *.exe installers/applications /installation processes, although they are actually CLEAN & SAFE and does not pose a threat to your system. The term «false positive» is used when an Anti-Virus Software wrongly classifies an innocuous (inoffensive) file as a Virus. This incorrect detection may be due to heuristics or to an incorrect virus signature in the database of Anti-Virus. Usually some great and famous Anti-Viruses (such as Kaspersky, AVG, Norman, McAfee, etc) won’t have such problem so far. If that happens to you, then simply ignore it and continue installing as it’s guaranteed actually 100% safe and clean by me and other guys who are posting these applications. But again, it’s still your own choice and right to decide.

Courtesy: Amirz

My DeviantArt Gallery: xulfikar.deviantart.com
My YouTube Channel: youtube.com/user/znpower

Microsoft Windows visual style
Royale in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Included in	Windows XP
First seen in	Windows XP Media Center Edition build 2600.2160

Royale is a family of visual styles created for Windows XP whose design maintains the overall proportions, look and feel of Luna, while also using glossy elements that were popular at the time. Variants of Royale have been included with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and Windows Embedded 2009, although the theme itself is compatible with all Windows XP editions. Some variants have also been made available for download from Microsoft’s website, making it the only visual style that users could officially install without having to patch system components.

Variants[edit | edit source]

Royale[edit | edit source]

The original Royale theme (also known as Energy Blue) was introduced with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. It is similar to blue Luna in color, although it’s noticeably more vivid and glossy. The wallpaper used by default is Energy Bliss, an edited version of Bliss. The theme has also been offered for download by Microsoft New Zealand, although unlike the Media Center Edition variant the theme package includes a different wallpaper titled New Bliss.

Royale Noir[edit | edit source]

Royale Noir is a scrapped black variant of Royale, which was originally developed in tandem with the original variant. Prior to its leak online in October 2006, it has been featured in a Microsoft commercial airing in the United Kingdom.^[1] Due to its incomplete nature, the theme has some imperfections such as some of the colors being a bit out of place and the inactive window title bar being too dark.

Zune[edit | edit source]

A modified version of Royale titled Zune was released and made available for download from Microsoft’s website in November 2006, coinciding with the launch of the first Zune player. The package included the visual style itself as well as a wallpaper with Zune branding. The theme is similar to Royale Noir, although it is darker and notably features an orange Start button.

Embedded[edit | edit source]

Windows Embedded 2009 includes yet another variant of Royale named Embedded, featuring a mix of dark blue colors.

Gallery[edit | edit source]

• 

  Royale Start menu

• 

  Royale Noir theme

• 

  Royale Noir Start menu

• 

  Zune theme

• 

  Zune Start menu

• 

  Embedded theme

References[edit | edit source]

Windows XP themes are customizations of the graphical user interface of the Windows XP operating system. Luna, Royale, Zune, and Embedded are official themes designed for Windows XP by Microsoft. Since Windows XP, themes include «visual styles«. By default, the Luna theme is preinstalled on Windows XP Home / Professional, the Royale (Energy Blue) theme is preinstalled on Windows XP Media Center Edition and the Embedded theme is preinstalled on Windows XP Embedded. All of the themes are compatible with all Windows XP editions. Compared to previous versions of Windows, the new scheme has a larger emphasis on the graphical appeal of the operating system, using bitmaps throughout the interface with rounded edges on each window. Since Luna’s introduction, the scheme has been supplemented in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Royale, and Royale Noir, a Zune-derived edition of the Royale scheme.

Luna

Luna (meaning Moon in Spanish, Bulgarian, Slovene, Serbian, Romanian, Russian, Latin, and Italian) is the codename for the default visual theme of Windows XP.

Officially known as Windows XP style, the theme is available in three color schemes: Blue (default) (codenamed NormalColor), Olive Green (codenamed Homestead), and Silver (codenamed Metallic). The code names for these color themes can be observed in the file paths.

Windows Classic

The «Windows classic style« theme is also available in Windows Vista and Windows 7 but must be enabled by the user. Users accustomed to older Windows versions such as Windows 2000 or Windows 98 may find it more comfortable to use. In addition to turning off visualizations, this option also offers relatively better performance and greater color and font customization options. The classic theme is also used for Safe mode and Win32 console windows in Windows XP.

Royale

Royale (also known as «Media Center style« and the blue color scheme is also known as «Energy Blue«) is a GUI art concept produced by Microsoft and introduced in 2004 only in Windows Media Center desktops and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Tablet PCs.

It is composed of a new wallpaper (inspired by Bliss), a desktop theme and skins. The new Energy Bliss wallpaper is heavily inspired by the original Bliss but now is generated artificially with computer graphics (CG) rendering.

The concept presents a brilliant, relucent, vivid and faux-reflective color scheme with intense blue and green colors, somewhat reminiscent of the default blue Microsoft Office 2003 theme. Parts of the theme also compliment with the look of Windows Media Player 10 and Windows Media Center. The theme also foreshadows the look of Windows Vista, released two years later.

Availability

The Energy Blue theme was originally made available in December 2004. On April 7, 2005, Microsoft New Zealand^[1] had made the Royale theme and the wallpapers for the New Zealand theme available for download^[2] for all editions of XP through Windows Genuine Advantage on its website but no longer exists in 2019. Because of the freeware nature of this package, it had also been available on software download websites, such as Softpedia at one time.^[3]

Microsoft did also release a Windows Media Player visualization and skin at one time. The skin was released in Experience Pack for Tablet PC and was available for free,^[4] but the installer only installed it on Windows XP Tablet PC Edition devices, for which it was licensed.

Royale Noir

The Royale Noir theme looks like a darkened version of Energy Blue, having a blackish and bluish to purple tint. Royale Noir has a black start button, which changes to green when the mouse hovers over it.

As Royale Noir was leaked and not finalized by Microsoft, it has been noted for some imperfections.

In 2006, oddbasket developed a finalized version of the theme known as Royale Remixed. A common misconception is that Royale Noir and Royale Remixed are the same theme.

Zune theme

A few weeks after Royale Noir was leaked, Zune was officially released as a new desktop theme to accompany the release of Microsoft’s new Zune media player. Just like Royale Noir, Zune appears to be based on the Energy Blue theme. Zune displayed a brown to light shadow style. The Zune theme was the first to include a different color start button from the green XP one or the original grey one from the Classic theme.

It is not known whether or not Royale Noir was a beta for Zune.

Embedded theme

The “Embedded” theme was taken from “Windows Embedded Standard CTP Refresh” edition. It is similar to Energy Blue, featuring a mix of dark blue colors combined with a new wallpaper.

Third-party themes

Windows only loads a visual style that bears a valid Microsoft digital certificate.^[5] As such, third-party visual styles can only be used if one of the Windows files called uxtheme.dll is altered to allow unsigned visual styles.^[6][7] Microsoft is aware of such a practice and suggests obtaining a newer revision of the patched uxtheme.dll file in case problems occur after Microsoft’s own updates to the file have been applied (typically through an OS service pack).^[8]

References

See also

• Features new to Windows XP
• Windows Aero

External links

• Windows XP visual styles at Wikipedia