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(Get the theme above.) Want to change the UI of your Windows 7 Completely? Want to give it an overhaul and make it look absolutely awesome? Then you’re in luck, because today I’m going to show you how to apply custom themes in Windows 7.

Here’s How:

1. First you will need to download and install either the 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) patcher (auto installer) for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7:

Universal Theme Patcher for x64 (64-bit)

Universal Theme Patcher for x86 (32-bit)

2. When downloaded, unrar the file using winrar or 7-zip, and run the .exe

3. Select your user interface language:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Click OK

5. Click Yes when this box appears

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Then you need to patch these 3 files (as you see i already have mine patched.) Click Patch for each file; after patching them all, restart your computer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. You need a custom theme; there are a lot around the net, but I suggest you to go here and look: Visual Styles 7 on deviantART

8. Navigate to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes

These are the files that have to be placed in the folder:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Then paste the folder and theme provided, then the theme should appear in your personalization menu

Note: The files are not named the same in all themes. It’s different from theme to theme. What you need to place in the resources folder is a .theme file and the folder with the same name (the folder is where the msstyles is in)
Also, in most themes there are only 2 files (a folder and a theme file), but in some cases there can be more. The process is the same though, you will just have more variants of the theme available via the personalization menu.

I hope you like my tutorial, and if you have any questions feel free to ask them below in the comments :)

About Bo Gjerlow

My name is Bo, and I'm a User Interface designer who has created various Windows 7 Visual Styles and other graphics. I am also a website owner, graphic enthusiast and a student. I have also written various tutorials for different sites. Some of you might know me under the username sergiogarcia9.

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Comments

9 thoughts on “Use Custom Desktop Themes in Windows 7 [How To]”

  1. Dan says:

    Is there a trick or tweak so that Windows 7 Home Basic could use themes? 

    1. Sergiogarcia9 says:

      As far as I know, no there isn’t. But try to search around Google and ask on various forums, you might get a different answer there.

      1. Tom431256 says:

        I tried it and my computer just constantly blinks in the startup screen with the words ‘Please Wait…’

        Using Windows® 7 Home Basic(32-bit)

  2. Praveesh says:

    Great! Loved it :)

  3. Smgregus says:

    What am I’m doing wrong?  Have tried several themes on Deviant.  Copy files to the themes file on C:.  Nothing happens…  if they are not marked for 32 or 64 bit,  what then? 

    1. UVAIS says:

      Hello Smgregus Welcome to Windows Guides

      copy all files in “Theme” folder & default location of Theme folder is C:WindowsResourcesThemes

  4. zarmani says:

    i did exactly what you said……but the theme didn’t appeared in personalization menu…

  5. Andi Permana says:

     no. it’s fine

  6. chimote says:

    thanks man really helpful i did it and its works perfect

Comments are closed.


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