Found a more specific location to patch the dll so you don’t need to replace multiple values nor you have to delete a registry key. Couldn’t get Aero working over Remote Desktop yet, maybe someone else can help? Anyway, here are the steps for Windows Server 2008 SP1/SP2 x86/x64. I only tested the SP1 x64 so please confirm the others are working too! :geek:
1. Go to %windir%System32 and make a backup of tstheme.exe (e.g. tstheme.exe.bak).
2. Copy tstheme.exe to an other directory (e.g. your Desktop) and open it in an Hex Editor like Hex Workshop.
3. Depending on your Server 2008 version replace the following hex values:
Version: SP1 x86 – Verified
MD5: d9383476ca1b8c9fda2909815f4c45ad
Find: 75 36 FF B5 5C
Replace with: E9 33 00 00 00
Version: SP1 x64 – Verified
MD5: 73ee3acb4284f47fee55f2dfa634c3fb
Find: 75 33 8B 44 24
Replace with: E9 30 00 00 00
Version: SP2 x86 – Verified
MD5: 1904dba08c2d63ce2025cad78f5df2bb
Find: 75 36 FF B5 5C
Replace with: E9 33 00 00 00
Version: SP2 x64 – Verified
MD5: 73ee3acb4284f47fee55f2dfa634c3fb
Find: 75 33 8B 44 24
Replace with: E9 30 00 00 00
4. Save the file and copy it back to %windir%System32 overwriting the existing one. (Check this page if you can’t overwrite it)
5. Log in using Remote Desktop and enjoy the Vista Basic theme! 😉
Good luck! 🙂
