Metro UI Change Background

Here's a tutorial I ran across a day ago on how to change the metro UI Background to a purple or black background. I take no credit for this just reposting for our users sake.

1. Black or Purple version of the tiles series. The Black Version has both a 32 and 64 Bit version while the purple only has a 64 bit.
2. Run takeownership.bat as administrator (Right click Run as Administrator) and then navigate to C:\Windows\System32\ and rename uxtheme.dll to uxtheme.dll.old and shsxs.dll to shsxs.dll.old
3. Copy the included uxtheme.dll and shsxs.dll into System32
4. Reboot and enjoy!
5. To uninstall run uninstall.bat as administrator
6. Note the uxtheme.dll.backup and shsxs.dll.backup in System32 are for the uninstaller, don't delete them.

Downloads

• Black 32bit and 64bit
  
• Purple 64 Bit
• Tutorial Documentation

Wow, thanks! I was waiting for someone to find this (for me, because I'm a lazy ass )! I've moved this to the appropriate area.

Welcome to Windows8Forums.com, you're also on Windows7Forums.com?

I realized after i posted it it wasnt in any section!!! I believe it should go in the Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop Section since this tweak has nothing to do with desktop customization. Not trying to be mean just saying!!! But yea its all pretty and such and i hope it helps many people out!!!

You might want to read my response to the 'sticky' thread regarding this, here: How to Disable Metro UI on Windows 8

I did install the Purple background. Thanks. I have found that disabling the Metro UI either with the 2 methods listed, or with the utilities listed by Paul Thurrott on his Windows Supersite somewhat intermittent, so for now will leave the UI alone.

I use the method that Captain Jack posted regarding the registry edit to the Current User key (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer and modify RPEnabled to 0) and have found it reliable and stable and have not experienced any issues. I have one user set to 0 and one user set to 1 and switch back and forth happily without problems.
I'd be interested in hearing what you are experiencing and the nature of your install. I have it working in two independent native installs (no VM no dual boot) both 32 and 64 bit.

Win 8 64 Bit with dev apps (4.8 GB iso file size) installed in Virtual Box (50 GB allocated size) on Win 7 Ultimate 64 Bit on my Sony Vaio Laptop. The 2 methods described herein both caused me to need to reboot to initiate. Perhaps this was because of the VM.

Same problem with the 2 utilities Paul noted. The first Utility (Toggle betweem Metro and Classic) sometimes worked without a restart, but usually required a restart. Even then, the problem others have noted that the Metro interface is still present (with smaller tiles) and inoperative is present. The second utility, the alternatives to just Disable Metro just flat out did not seem to work. The other 3 alternatives worked, but they did require a restart.

I guess I am concerned because of the intermittent operation. This could be because of the VM, not certain. At some point in time I may try again but for now I'm satisfied with what I have.

OK, I just used Method 1 posted by Captain Jack. It did work, but required a restart. Trouble, did it require a restart with you as well? I am now set up with the Classic Start menu and Metro gone. This is a much more comfortable interface, much more familiar. Perhaps I will set up a second user when I get the chance and do as you have done with one set up in classic and the other in Metro. That would definitely be quicker switching back and forth.

No it did not require a reboot, but I used the registry edit method, which took effect immediately and is relatively easy to toggle on and off (1 and 0). This was on a native install (not in dual boot or VM) I have noticed some strange (different) behavior when running inside a VM, like on my 7 & 8 dual boot VM, when I choose the Win7 install from the new Win8 boot menu the VM restarts, not sure why.