Q. 1. What is a Theme/Visual Style? Are both same or is there any difference between them?
=> Visual Style & Theme are not same. But many people use these words in same manner. Actually Visual Style has extension .msstyles, while a theme has extension .theme.
Visual Style is the main file, which skins all parts of windows, like border, titlebar, buttons, etc. A theme file stores all settings, like icons, wallpaper, etc along with the visual style.
Q. 2. When I opened Display Properties, I got only 3 Visual Styles, Blue, Olive Green and silver. How can I get more?
=> You can download themes for Windows XP and Vista from following sections:
Q. 3. I downloaded some Visual Styles, but none of them are working on my computer. Am I missing something?
=> By default, Windows doesn't allow 3rd party themes. So you'll need to patch a file uxtheme.dll to allow 3rd party themes. Take a look at following article:
How to Install & Use Custom 3rd Party Themes in Windows XP, Vista & 7
Q. 4. Can I edit my downloaded .msstyles file?
=> Yes, You can use Resource Hacker to edit themes, but it requires some expertise.
Also check:
[Guide] What is the Difference between a Theme, Themepack, Skin, Visual Style and msstyles?
Complete Guide for Windows Customization Terms and Resources
This article was posted by VG in following section: Software, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
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Nizar
in my pc, texts segoe ui and calibri doesnt work properly,i.e when applied in visual styles,these 2 fonts looks ugly
Tyler
The links in point 2 don't work anymore. Can you update them?
Ahmed
allow me to show my amazement for this wonderful website
hope more development and success for it
Sumeet Kukreja
Hello VG, Recently i have seen some themes that include "Boot Screen" And "Logon Screen" too, How can we create themes like that, And one more thing, You have also said theme contains icons, how can we add icon to themes . I have seen your theme "Vista VG Blue Refresh" & "Vista VG Ultimate", Icons are not included.
VG
^^ You can only define icons for My Computer, Recycle Bin, etc using its .theme file. And you can't set boot screen, etc using a theme. You'll need to change them manually.