Windows XP Theme .. Development?
 

All this software lies about "ThemeXP", "Stardock" for changing the look of Windows XP.. but these cost money, and they do what seems to me could be customized settings of windows XP. When changing the appearance of XP in the Display control panel, you can only select one color for the various parts of a window, yet XP clearly shows somewhat of a gradient color change throughout.


The above software can change all this, add new colors, looks.. but is there a way that this all can be done for free? Without some 3rd party software, save maybe a graphics application for making new icons, etc? I just want to make my Own color gradient look thinger instead of the space / green themes available...

XP's theme ability should be documented in the Windows APIs. You may find something in MSDN or TechNet about it.

Otherwise, I don't know of any freeware to change themes. You'd think someone has one...

what is really bothering me about windows xp is that if you want the theme to be windows xp styled u only have 3 freaking color choices, and i wanted a black one but o well

You should check out <a href="http://www.themexp.org">ThemeXp.org</a>
Look at the Visual Styles. You have to go <a href="http://www.tgtsoft.com/download.php">here</a> and download the UxTheme Util. It is a .dll file that you have to boot to safe mode and replace in your system folder. After you do this, you can change your visual style by downloading them from themexp. It is a really cool way to customize your desktop easily. Hope this helps.