Desktop Themes Does Not List Available Themes

 Last reviewed: December 1, 1995
Article ID: Q139744
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SYMPTOMS

When you are choosing a desktop theme, the only selections are:

  • Current Windows settings
  • Other...

CAUSE

The list of available desktop themes is maintained in the Program Files\ Plus!\Themes folder by default. The problem described in this article can occur if this folder is missing or damaged, or if the registry key for the desktop themes folder is incorrectly set.

RESOLUTION

If the desktop themes files cannot be located or are damaged, follow these steps to reinstall the Desktop Themes component of Microsoft Plus!:

  1. In Control Panel, double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.

  2. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click Microsoft Plus! For Windows 95, and then click Add/Remove.

  3. Click Add/Remove.

  4. Click the Desktop Themes check box to clear it, and then click Continue.

  5. Repeat steps 1-3.

  6. Click the Desktop Themes check box to select it, and then click Continue.

If you can locate the desktop themes files and they are not damaged, follow these steps:

  1. In Control Panel, double-click the Desktop Themes icon.

  2. In the Theme box, click Other.

  3. In the Look In box, specify the path for the desktop themes files.

  4. Apply the theme you want, and then click OK.

NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

If the steps above do not work, you can specify the themes folder by modifying the following registry key: 

   HKEY_CURENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Plus!\Themes\Current
Modify the key to reflect the correct name and path for a valid theme and themes folder. For example, 

   C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes\Sports (256 color).Theme

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Plus! version 1.0 for Windows 95. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

The problem described in this article may occur if you install Desktop Themes, apply a theme, uninstall Desktop Themes, and then reinstall Desktop Themes to a different folder.

When this occurs, the registry key points to the original themes folder instead of the current themes folder.

KBCategory: kbtool
KBSubcategory: win95 winplus
Additional reference words: 95

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Last reviewed: December 1, 1995
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