I was playing around with the Windows DLL files (err alright, I know I’m not supposed to do that) and crashed my Windows Vista.
The reason was because I wanted to apply a few new visual styles/theme for my Vista, so I needed to hack a few DLL files (uxtheme.dll, etc).
Since I was being lazy, I was Googling for automated software to do the DLL patch for me. So I found VistaGlazz. I installed it and ran it. I had a warning of a seem-to-be-corrupted DLL, but I was being brave and decided to go ahead for it. Afterwards, it was a big “Nooooooooooo” came out from my mouth.
Found out that my Windows was a mess. Explorer.exe crashed. Some services crashed (something to do with group policy). It was a disaster. Doing anything on the windows was so sluggish.
Trying to be calm, I thought to myself, “Hey, that’s ok. I’ve made a backup of the DLL files before they were being replaced by VistaGlazz”. So I tried to copy the files back to my C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Then I received the lovely message that the file is currently being used by another process or program. Argh.
At the end, a program called “Replacer” saved my day from having to reformat everything (I don’t mind reformatting, but I wasn’t ready to do so yet).
Using Replacer is easy. Double click on the Replacer.cmd file, and the console command-line window will open. Drag and drop the DLL file that you want to replace to the window, and then drag the DLL file that you want to replace with. Easy.
In Vista however, the drag-and-drop doesn’t work! But lucky for me, I could type in the exact path on the command line window. Afterwards, you also have to delete manually the temporary folder being created by the program before you can run it again.
After replacing shsvcs.dll, themeui.dll, and uxtheme.dll back, I prayed, and restarted my Windows. Afterwards, the long “Nooooo” shouting was replaced with a “Woohoo”!
I’ve decided to store the Replacer program on my server and link it from here. The app is just too valuable.
So if you come here from the Search Engine, you can download the DLL Replacer from here (or here) Or better, even if you haven’t got any problems yet with your Windows, I’d suggest to just downloading the program, and storing it somewhere on your hard drive. You’ll never know when you are going to need it.
Note: I don’t blame the VistaGlazz, because it has warned me and I also found out on their page that VistaGlazz wasn’t supported yet for Vista SP1 (whoopsie!)
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Won’t you be able to replace those DLL files on Safe Mode?
BTW:
http://www.dll-files.com/ <- a site where you can download every Windows Dll. Just want to share.
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I did try it on Safe Mode and also Safe Mode with Command Prompt only
There’s a software called Unlocker that will force a file to be unlocked, but it’s not for Vista unfortunately
Glad to hear that everything turned out ok. I beat you were worried there for a little bit. (I know I would have been)
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I won’t be worried if things go wrong, reinstall the os hehehe.
@Michael ah I see. Oh well, thanks for the posting the software. And I’m glad you resolved everything.
One thing though I notice: uxtheme.dll - I remember this file can be replaced with a patched uxtheme dll on windows xp so that you can use 3rd party themes without installing a 3rd party app. Just want to share.
vance’s last blog post..Net 25’s Convergence, Giving It Another Try?
Yeah. In Vista, there are 3 files: shsvcs.dll, themeui.dll, and uxtheme.dll that you have to replace.
served me right.
I was looking for a 3rd party app, just because I’m lazy
nothing wrong in testing out apps hehe. As long as its not on your main PC hehe, a friend’s pc, maybe
vance’s last blog post..Net 25’s Convergence, Giving It Another Try?
Suggest eveyone keep on the XP sys. I just can’t adapt with the look of Vista, for Mac designs better than Microsoft Sys, then Microsoft should consider how to enhance the performance but not outlook, maybe I d rather prefer dos
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Goodness, I got that sick feeling in my stomach just reading your post. Twice in my computer lifetime, I have experienced such drama. On each ocassion I had to reinstall the OS. This was prior to XP and Vista, and those systems were easier to tinker with!
I’m never afraid to try something new, but Vista just plain old sucks to me, and is not very user friendly. So, I leave it alone, and it leaves me alone.
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You might be pleased to know that a beta of VistaGlazz is now available (version 1.1) that will patch Vista SP1.
Thanks for letting us know. I might try it again when I’m feeling brave
thanks for putting up the dll-replacer program. =) was searching for AGES =)
No problem. The file should be here “forever” unless I’m changing my surname lol
Dear Michael,
I am having a problem with some corrupted dll files, specifically pdh.dll and wpd_ci.dll
I have downloaded replacement files and have tried using Replacer via command line, since i’m using Vista Ultimate.
However, Replacer can’t replace the files. It will still say ‘Access Denied’
Any solutions?
Hmm the only options that I can think of at the moment is to:
- Boot into your safe mode and do the DLL replacing process there (if you haven’t done that yet already)
- Use your Windows Vista CD to “Repair” your windows.. (boot with the CD and there’s an option there somewhere on the setup/installation process)
Oh My god. I must direct your attention to this Michael:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/how-to-delete-a-system-file-in-windows-vista/
It gives you full permission of any file, thus allowing you to override it with a new copy.
It totally worked for me!
Thanks Michael. I hope your comment can help other people who stumbled to this post from the search engines!