Yesterday we shared Windows 8 RTM theme for Windows XP and now its turn of Windows 7 users. As we all know the testing builds of Windows 8 such as Release Preview and Consumer Preview featured Aero glass transparency and we shared look-like themes for Windows 7 which can be found at following links:
- Download Windows 8 Release Preview (RC) Theme for Windows 7
- Download Windows 8 Consumer Preview (Beta) Theme for Windows 7
But Microsoft has removed the Aero glass from Windows 8 RTM theme. Windows 8 RTM comes with a clean and minimal theme without transparency and blur effects.
Today in this topic we are going to share a new theme for Windows 7 created by "mare-m" @ DA which brings Windows 8 RTM look-n-feel to Windows 7. This theme will make your Windows 7 look-like Windows 8 RTM. Following is a preview of this theme in action:
If you also want to transform Windows 7 into Windows 8 RTM, you should definitely give a try to this theme.
Interested people can follow these simple steps to enjoy the theme:
1. First download the theme using following link:
Download Windows 8 RTM Theme for Windows 7
2. After downloading the file, extract it using 7-Zip and you'll get 2 folders containing various Windows 8 RTM stuff such as theme, wallpapers, sound schemes, mouse cursors, fonts and Explorer toolbar back/forward buttons.
3. First go to "Windows 8 Themes" folder, it contains following 3 folders:
- Windows 8 RTM Theme
- Windows 8 RTM Earth Theme
- Windows 8 RTM Flowers Theme
These 3 folders contain 3 different versions of Windows 8 RTM theme. "Windows 8 RTM Theme" is the main theme folder which contains Windows 8 RTM look-like theme for Windows 7. The 2 other folders contain different variations of the same theme.
4. Open the desired folder and you'll get 2 more folders in it:
- Taskbar on Bottom or Left
- Taskbar on Top or Right
If you use Taskbar on bottom or left, then you'll need to use the theme present in "Taskbar on Bottom or Left" folder, otherwise use the theme present in the second folder. Each of the above mentioned folders contains 2 more folders:
- Start Menu With User Picture
- Start Menu Without User Picture
As the names explain, if you want to show user picture in Start Menu, then use the theme present in first folder. If you don't want to show user picture in Start Menu, then use the theme present in the second folder.
Open desired folder and copy all files and folders present in it to "%windir%\Resources\Themes\" folder (where %windir% means "Windows" directory present in system drive where Windows is installed. Most probably C: drive).
5. Now you can apply the theme using Desktop Personalization window. But make sure you have patched your system to use custom 3rd party themes as mentioned in following article:
How to Use 3rd Party Themes in Windows 7?
6. The theme folder also contains Windows 8 RTM wallpapers, sound schemes and mouse cursors. All these stuff are automatically installed by the theme. If you are using Windows XP or Vista, you can copy them to your Windows and apply them.
7. The downloaded archive also contains files to replace default Back/forward buttons present in Windows Explorer with new Metro style buttons. To use them:
If you are using 64-bit Windows 7, you'll need to replace "ExplorerFrame.dll" file present in C:\Windows\System32 and C:\Windows\sysWOW64 folders with the new files present in "Windows 8 Extras\Navigation Buttons\64-BIT" and "Windows 8 Extras\Navigation Buttons\32-BIT" folders respectively.
If you are using 32-bit Windows 7, you just need to replace "ExplorerFrame.dll" file present in C:\Windows\System32 folder with the new file present in "Windows 8 Extras\Navigation Buttons\32-BIT" folder.
Check out this link to learn more about replacing system files in Windows.
8. Windows 8 comes with a modified Segoe UI font which can be installed in Windows 7 or other Windows versions by going to "Windows 8 Extras\Windows 8 Fonts\Segoe UI" folder, select all .TTF files, right-click and select "Install" option.
That's all guys. Feel free to share your feedback about this theme in your comment...
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Windows 7, Windows 7 Themes
Shawn
Amazing! Thanks for sharing :)
Juffus
VG,
Nice theme! But only taskbar is transparent. How it can be solved?
VG
^^ Its by design since Windows 8 only features transparency in Taskbar.
beBoss
Windows titles should be centered!
hristo
Thanks for greath work.
Pranjal
You are awesome Vishal. All of your creations are amazing. Thanks for sharing. ;)
Gabriel
I can't seem to rename ExplorerFrame.dll... I've taken ownership as specified, but it keeps saying I need permission... Is there any way around this?
Gabriel
Never mind, was able to do it by taking ownership manually. Thanks
Dex
how can I put a picture here to show you a bug in the theme?
VG
^^ Upload the image at any image uploading website and share the link here.
Dex
ok that's the problem when you want upload or download something to or from internet
s8.postimg.org/b643mfip1/bug.png
VG
^^ I have requested the theme creator to take a look into your issue. I hope he'll reply you asap.
Dex
ok thanks
Argha
hi, i read through the tutorials and did not see this covered or i missed it. i want to change the color of the progress bar that pops up when you are for instance installing something. it is green in color by default. but i want this color blue.
VG
^^ You'll need to edit the .msstyles file in Resource Hacker and replace the image.
@Dex
Here is his reply:
Dex
ok I'll try to do it carefully this time
thanx VG + Dev
austin varughese
when i apply the rtm theme the window theme goes to classic style
VG
^^ Have you run the patcher?
http://www.askvg.com/how-to-install-use-custom-3rd-party-themes-in-windows-xp-vista-and-7/
austin varughese
yes i have ran the patcher and yaar help me i want this theme on my 7 pc
Francis
If I Run the Universal Theme Patcher and I Patched All and I Restart my Computer and My Computer is not Going to the Desktop and I Saved a Restore Point and I Run into Safe Mode and I Open System Restore and I Restore My PC Before,But the Patched Themes are not Enabled.
pollux
thx a lot!!! =)
fpintmoon
Thank you for the tut! But I can't get the icons to work. I followed the instructions to a T, but when I either log off or restart the computer it says shell32.dll is missing and nothing else works except a black screen. :(
randomguy
I can't change the navigation buttons. I'm running 64 bit and I copied the 64-bit ExplorerFrame.dll into SysWOW64. But I can't put replace it in System32. I've taken ownership but I can't delete nor change it. It keeps on showing up the "Folder In Use" error. It tells me to close System32 and try again. How do I do this