Themes - Windows XP Service
Provides user experience theme management.
This service also exists in Windows 10, 11, 7, 8 and Vista.
Startup Type
| Windows XP edition | without SP | SP1 | SP2 | SP3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Professional | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Themes |
| Service name: | Themes |
| Type: | share |
| Path: | %WinDir%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs |
| File: | %WinDir%\System32\shsvcs.dll |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | UIGroup |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
Default Behavior
The Themes service runs as LocalSystem in a shared process. It shares the executable file with other services. If the Themes fails to load or initialize, the error is recorded into the Event Log. Windows XP startup should proceed, but a message box is displayed informing you that the Themes service has failed to start.
Restore Default Startup Type of Themes
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows XP edition and Service Pack, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreThemesWindowsXP.bat file to any folder on your hard drive.
3. Run the downloaded batch file.
4. Restart the computer to save changes.
Note. Make sure that the shsvcs.dll file exists in the %WinDir%\System32 folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows XP installation media.