You know what,...none of the things I tried worked. I bounced this problem
back and forth between some tech support people where I work, and even they
couldn't come up with a solution. I even discovered that my father's new
computer also had this bug (his is a Dell, mine is a Gateway). The tech guys
at work and I have concluded that this is a bug that Microsoft will have to
work out.

In the meantime, I devised a "work around" that "solves" the problem insofar
as I'm sure the bug is still there but I can work around it. Specifically, I
set up a dummy user account on the computer. Now when I start up the computer
I log in to my main account instead of simply starting up the computer
without logging in. O.K., that sounds a little confusing, so I'll say it in
other words: I am the only person who uses my computer, so at first there was
just one user account and the computer started up simply by turning it on and
going to the default Desktop for the one account (the owner account). So what
I did was create a dummy user account so that I have to log in when the
computer starts up (I log in to my main owner account, not the dummy
account). By taking the extra step to log in that has solved the problem of
the computer reverting back to XP style. Of course, I also then need to log
off when I shut down the computer. So the work around involves logging in and
logging off instead of simply starting up and shutting down the computer.

It's an inelegant work around, but ever since I have done this the bug
hasn't been a problem.

Hope this helps.

"Jim" wrote:

> M - did this get resolved? I have the same problem.
>
> "M in Silverton" wrote:
>
> > Actually, Silverton, Oregon (about 15 miles east of the state capital, Salem)
> >
> > I tried setting the value with the .msstyles suffix, shut down the computer,
> > started it back up again, and was in the desired Classic Style. Now let's see
> > if it takes over the long run.
> >
> > I really do appreciate all the help. I am very new to this level of computer
> > skills, so it is gratifying to find so much helpful support. Thank you!
> >
> > "Wesley Vogel" wrote:
> >
> > > Silverton, CO?
> > >
> > > No *.msstyles file for Classic theme.
> > >
> > > Try these...
> > > HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\Explore
> > > r
> > > and/or
> > > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\policies\Explor
> > > er
> > > Value Name: ClassicShell
> > > Value Type: REG_SZ
> > > Value Data: 1
> > >
> > > SetVisualStyle
> > > http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/1076/
> > >
> > > --
> > > Hope this helps. Let us know.
> > >
> > > Wes
> > > MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
> >