your choices are the WindowBlinds trial version or the UXTheme patch.

The Windowblinds trial will use blinds, which skins more of the user environment, and also has a larger library of skins.

The UXTheme patch uses visual styles, which does not skin as much of the user environment, but the skins that are available for it are much more usable and cleaner in my opinion.

I use Windowblinds on my desktop computer and the UXTheme patch on my laptop, and both are great in my opinion.

UXTheme patch (skins can be found at deviantart.com or customize.org): [url]http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=140707[/url]

Windowblinds trial (skins can be found here or at deviantart.com): [url]http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Other-Desktop-Enhancements/WindowBlinds.shtml[/url]

The Windowblinds trial will only last for 60 days and then will no longer skin the GUI.

I would much prefer using Windowblinds than hacking my system to apply a new skin for the GUI. Besides, the uxtheme option doesn't have as many features or skin everything completely.

Here is a couple of articles that will give you a general idea of the best ways to customize your desktop theme.

https://www.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?AID=136315
https://www.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?AID=137319

Windowblinds is well worth the $20 investment.  Windowblinds gives you features such as per-pixel alpha blending, colorizing skins, and much more.  These are things you will not find in a theme patch, and Windowblinds will not replace your system files.

I would advise to download the trial and see the benefits of running of Windowblinds.  Let us know if you have any other questions.