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This guide will show you how to change the start orb in Windows 7, for the sake of simplicity and article length, i’ll only be showing how to change the orb with the taskbar along the bottom. (Start Orb bottom left).
If you have Photoshop or GIMP, then you can go ahead and even make your own.
Note: You need to have access to the admin account in order to complete this guide.
Step 1.
Start by navigating to C:\ and take ownership of the Windows folder.
In the Windows folder, find explorer, make a copy of explorer onto the desktop and name it explorer.DEFAULT. Make another copy of it onto your desktop and name it explorer.CUSTOM
Step 2.
Download Restorator 2007 from here. Install as usual.
Step 3.
Open explorer.CUSTOM with Restorator 2007. In the left hand pane, expand bitmap. You’ll notice files named 6801, 6805 & 6809. These are the files we need to change. 6801, 6805 & 6809, all point to the same image (Start Orb).
Step 4.
Download your choice of start orb, deviantart.com is a great place to find start orbs.
Extract the downloaded Start Orb .bmp image to your desktop.
Step 5.
In Restorator 2007. Right click on the 6801 file under Bitmap and choose, Assign… > Assign to…
Choose your downloaded start orb from your desktop. (I choose mine :)) Hit Open
File 6801 under Bitmap should now display your custom orb.
Do this for 6805 & 6809 respectively. You’ll notice a small shortcut overlay icon on the left. This represents the file has been modified but not saved.
Hit Ctrl+S to save explorer.CUSTOM. You’ll notice the small icon has changed to the right changed side. This represents the modifications have now been saved.
You’ll also see that Restorator 2007 has saved a copy of explorer.CUSTOM on the desktop for you, you can delete this.
Close Restorator 2007.
Step 6.
Go back to C:\Windows and rename explorer, explorer.old
Move the explorer.CUSTOM file from the desktop and to C:\Windows, rename that to explorer
Right, so, to re-cap. You should have, explorer.DEFAULT on the desktop, the explorer.CUSTOM moved to C:\Windows and renamed to explorer. And explorer in C:\Windows to be renamed to explorer.old.
Step 7.
You need to restart the explorer process Windows actually uses. This will kill all processes (including this browser!), so save all open programs.
Press Ctrl+Shift+ESC, right click Explorer.exe and select End Process Tree
The screen will now be blank. Press Ctrl+Shift+ESC again to launch the Task manager and click on File > New Task (Run…). Type explorer into the New task dialog box and click OK.
Explorer has now been restarted and you should now see your custom Start Orb……
I think i’ve made it pretty clear, if you have any troubles with this, head over to the forums.
Made some custom orbs yourself? Let us know and share them in the comments :)
hack……
hack……
For some reason when I try to change the explorer in windows it says that i need permission to rename it.
Pleeeease help.
I am the administrator by the way.
Did you take ownership? Step 1.
How do you do that?
If you click the take ownership link in step 1 :)
For some reason when I try to change the explorer in windows it says that i need permission to rename it.
Pleeeease help.
I am the administrator by the way.
Did you take ownership? Step 1.
How do you do that?
If you click the take ownership link in step 1 :)
I have created a portable tool to make this whole process easier and faster:
http://kishan-bagaria.deviantart.com/art/Windows-7-Start-Orb-Changer-153001999
I have created a portable tool to make this whole process easier and faster:
http://kishan-bagaria.deviantart.com/art/Windows-7-Start-Orb-Changer-153001999
I’ve used the Kishan’s software and changed my Win7 StarOrb, but explorer ask for permissions in almost all actions that I want to do, like making a new folder in c:program files or when I try to enabe-disable my network adapter.
Is there a solution without turn off UAC??
I don’t want to expose my operating system just for a start button.
I’ve used the Kishan’s software and changed my Win7 StarOrb, but explorer ask for permissions in almost all actions that I want to do, like making a new folder in c:program files or when I try to enabe-disable my network adapter.
Is there a solution without turn off UAC??
I don’t want to expose my operating system just for a start button.
I just got an attack report that my computer tried to “exploit” into my own computer to rename a program file.
Is this illegal?
This is your antivirus software trying to protect your system files, which
need to be updated to change your Start Orb. No, this is not illegal.
I just got an attack report that my computer tried to “exploit” into my own computer to rename a program file.
Is this illegal?
This is your antivirus software trying to protect your system files, which
need to be updated to change your Start Orb. No, this is not illegal.
i have take ownership but i can't rename the default explorer exe someone help i have windows 7 home prenium 32 bit
Didn't work. Says I need permission from Trustedinstaller to perform the action.
To which step are you referring?
Ok I figure out what I di wrong before.
New difficulty. I don't know how to create my own Icon. I wanted to make a Death Knight Icon using a BMP I downloaded. Would like some assistance. Don't know how to modify your template to make it work.
Please head to the forums where we'll be happy to help: http://forum.mintywhite.com
K I posted in the forum
or at least I think I did
i tried but when i rename the old 1 its says you need premesion
any help ??
Did you take ownership of the Windows folder (Step 1)?
wow……,
many thanks for your help………!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t rename the explorer to become explorer.old. They said that i needed the permission or something. Can you help me?
how can i rename explorer to become .old. they said i need permission or something
Try this: http://www.mintywhite.com/windows-7/7security/uac-annoying-add-take-control-to-context-menu-in-vista/
There’s a program that does this for you. You should still get orbs from deviant art, though.
Will this affect other accounts in my computer???
HELP!!!
Yes as it changes core system files common to all accounts.
Perfect! it worked! (after some search for getting ownership xD) great guide, will pass it around to my freinds! / Oscar
What’s the name of the theme? Where can I have it? PLEASE REPLY ME
what font is this
@6fb4b6222e104501cc49cf10946ffad8:disqus . Its Century Gothic.
This works on Windows 8. Only,you do not have to edit any Windows shell files as Windows 8 does not have a start orb. I installed Classic Shell which gives you a start orb and Windows XP and 7 start menu on Windows 8. Then on Classic Shell there is an option to change the start orb or create your own custom button using a bitmap image. So I simple downloaded the Windows XP start orb from Devantart and saved the bitmap image to My Pictures folder. Then on Classic Shell you simply select custom button and open the image you have saved in the My Pictures folder. And there you have your Windows XP or Windows 7 start orb on Windows 8.
But I don’t if you can just change the start orb this way on Windows 7 without hacking any files. But you can on Windows 8. Andrea Borman.
I cannot rename exploler.exe
Take Ownership
http://www.mintywhite.com/windows-7/7security/uac-annoying-add-take-control-to-context-menu-in-vista/