how to patch uxtheme.dll on windows xp (to use unsigned themes)

Having the ability to use custom (non-Microsoft) XP/2003 themes is highly recommended. It makes life a lot more fun. It's not hard to do but I thought I'd explain it again since it wasn't trivial.

1. Download the correct version of uxtheme.dll. This site has pretty much all of them.
2. Unzip and store the patched file in somewhere like c:\temp. Note it will be the same size as your existing file.
3. You might want to force a system restore point if you're really paranoid.
4. You won't be able to copy the patched file over this one since Windows doesn't all this.
5. You will need this program: Replacer. Download the STABLE version.
6. Replacer will do the hard work with making windows let go of the uxtheme.dll file and allowing you to copy over it. Just in case, make a backup yourself - rename c:\windows\system32\uxtheme.dll to uxtheme.dll.old.
7. Unzip Replacer to somwehre like c:\temp\replacer
8. Before running it, I found that you have to remove all the sources that Windows can use to overwrite the patched file. Do a search (Start Menu -> Search) for *uxtheme* while making sure that hidden and system files are visible in explorer, and are selected in Advanced Options in Search.
9. There will be matching files in c:\windows\system32\dllcache, and probably in c:\i386. Just rename these (not copy) to uxtheme.dll.old.
8. Now run Replacer (replacer.cmd)
9. Drag the existing file c:\windows\system32\uxtheme.dll into the command window. Hit enter.
10. Drag the new file from c:\temp into the command window.
11. Hit enter. And then type Y.
12. Check that the file date and size of c:\windows\system32\uxtheme.dll matches that of the one from c:\temp.
13. Reboot.
14. Grab a theme from customize.org. Download it and unzip to c:\windows\resources\themes, making sure to select 'extract subfolders'.
15. Right click on the Windows desktop.
16. Click on Appearance. Under windows and buttons you should see your new theme listed!