I'm using the same modified Classic AE 2.5.3 theme as in my previous post (but it happens the same if I use the unmodified theme too).
If I enable the Classic AE theme by selecting it in the Personalize menu and then load WSB, it moves the search button and the dropdown arrow several pixels too far to the right, so that the right edge of the dropdown button is clipped. It does not change if I test the theme (or any of its variants) with WSB if that or Classic (non-aero) is the theme selected in Personalize. (center image shown below)
If I test the Windows Aero theme with Classic AE set as the theme in Personalize, it too has the too-long search box and the clipped dropdown button (not shown). But if I enable Aero in the Personalize menu and then test Classic AE, the button looks fine (bottom image below).
I've tried renaming and replacing the shellstyle.dll in the Classic AE folder with the Aero one and the default one in WSB, but it did not help.
Screenshot below.
Top- the WSB search box in Aero, displayed correctly.
Mid- the WSB search box in AE 2.5.3
Bottom- the WSB search box in AE 2.5.3 if Aero is the system theme and AE is tested with WSB
Thanks!