WindowBlinds is a software utility that allows you to completely change the look and feel of Microsoft Windows.  It works by applying new visual styles, also called skins, across the entire user interface (i.e. title bars, buttons, start menu, taskbar, etc.) of the operating system.  As a result, you gain complete control over the way Windows looks.

Features of WindowBlinds 6 (Enhanced Version)
Includes all of the features of WindowBlinds 6 trail version, plus the following:

• Skin non-theme aware programs.
• Skin unsigned per pixel skins
• Change color/hue/brightness on the fly.
• Change toolbar icons of Internet Explorer and Explorer type windows.
• Change progress animations.
• Semi-transparent, Explorer backgrounds.

• Skin Theme-Aware programs.
• Skin Windows Start Bar.
• Add surfaces to dialog windows.
• Skin different programs with different skins.
• Skin Explorer Views (shell styles).
• Add more title bar buttons (roll-up, etc..).
• Skin scrollbars and toolbar icons.

A Note on Drivers and Compatibility

WindowBlinds has been designed and tested to be as compatible with thousands of applications and pieces of hardware available.  Its memory load is quite low (unless you are using complex skins with lots of animation) and any oddities with specific apps can generally be worked around quickly.

Upgrading from Previous Versions

Install the new WindowBlinds version and reboot when prompted.  When upgrading from previous versions, WindowBlinds will automatically move visual styles to the new folder and perform cleanup.

Updates

The most convenient way to get updates for WindowBlinds is by installing Stardock Central (SDC), which requires internet connectivity.  With SDC you can register your Stardock products, download updates, join in discussions, chat, read Stardock news, browse for other software, visit the Stardock web site, get new visual styles, purchase software, and blog.  The SDC will display what version of WindowBlinds you have installed and the version number of any available update.  WindowBlinds is listed under Object Desktop  software.

If you decide not to install Stardock Central, you can get updates from: www.Stardock.com/Support/ .  Type in the Email address you used when ordering WindowBlinds originally and an Email will be sent to you with a link to the latest version (build).

File Types

The following is a list of common file types used by WindowBlinds:

• .SSS - are substyles, slightly different versions of the skin.
• .UIS - is an INI type text file with instructions for WindowBlinds on how to handle the substyle.  See www.WindowBlinds.net for information on the UIS Language.
• .WBA - is a compressed ZIP file containing a skin downloaded from the internet.  It includes all of the files that make up a skin (i.e. SSS, UIS, BMP, TGA, JPG).
• .ZIP - of a skin downloaded from the internet, and may contain all of the above plus other files (i.e. BMP, TGA, JPG).

Installing Additional Visual Styles

To download over 4,100 free WindowBlinds visual styles (skins), please visit: www.wincustomize.com.  WindowBlinds skins have the file extension of .WBA or .ZIP (compressed file).  After downloading, there are a few ways you can install the new skin:

• The best way to install a new skin is to let WindowBlinds handle it.  On the  tab, select “Add visual styles”, then "I want to install the skin from a file on my computer".  Locate the .WBA or .ZIP and WindowBlinds will add it to the list of installed skins to choose from.

• Alternately if using Windows XP, you can add the skin through Display Properties (see Appendix A).  Right-click on the open desktop, select “Properties”, and then click on the “Appearance” tab.  Click the  button and an Explorer window will open.  Use it to locate the new skin file (.WBA or .ZIP file format) on your computer system.  Then click  to add it or  to abort.

• The last method is to add the skin outside of WindowBlinds using Windows Explorer by double clicking on the (.WBA) file to install it.  Then when you run WindowBlinds, the new visual style will be included in the list of styles and can be applied to your desktop. 

Compatibility

WindowBlinds visual styles are both forward and backward compatible, unless otherwise noted.  This means you can install visual themes made for older versions of WindowBlinds.  This is a unique feature, which gives you access to a large library of free skins.

Default File Paths

C: drive is the most common, but if you installed WindowBlinds to a different drive, then the path maybe different.

Windows Vista:
WindowBlinds (program files) are located under: C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds (visual styles) are located under: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds

Windows XP:
WindowBlinds (program files) are located under: C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds (visual styles) are located under: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds

Creating Your Own Visual Styles

Create your own visual styles (skins) with SkinStudio (www.skinstudio.net)!  See WindowBlinds.net for information on the UIS Language, used in creating new styles.

Documentation

The majority of the screenshots in this documentation are from Windows Vista, with some from Windows XP.  Unless a screenshot is noted as being for Windows XP, assume it's from Vista.  Some features are only visible in Vista or XP, these will be noted. For the most up to date WindowBlinds Guide, please check our Wiki at http://wiki.wincustomize.com.

Comments or suggestions for this documentation, please send to documentation@stardock.com.