How to Install and Use 3rd Party Themes in Windows Vista?

Many times people face problems while using 3rd party themes in Windows Vista because the instructions are not clear. So today I decided to write this tutorial which will help you in installing and using 3rd party themes in Windows Vista.

I'll cover 2 easy methods in this tutorial:

Using VistaGlazz Utility
Using Tuneup Utilities

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PS: If you want to install and use 3rd party themes without using any extra software, then visit following tutorial:

Click Here

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So here we start our tutorial:

METHOD 1: Installing Vista Themes using VistaGlazz Utility:

By default Windows doesn't allow 3rd party themes to be used, so we need to patch Windows to use 3rd party themes. "VistaGlazz" is a free utility which can patch Windows easily and quickly.

First download VistaGlazz from following link:

Download VistaGlazz

Now run the utility and it'll show following screen:

Click on "I agree" button. Now click on first icon in the next screen:

That's it. It'll patch your Windows. Restart your system and now you are ready to use 3rd party themes.

Copy the downloaded theme folder (containing a .theme file and a folder containing .msstyles file) to "%windir%\Resources\Themes\" folder. Now right-click on Desktop and select "Personalize". Click on "Theme" link in the new window and select the downloaded theme from drop-down list. Apply it and enjoy the theme.

METHOD 2: Installing Vista Themes using Tuneup Utilities:

This is the safest method to use 3rd party themes in Windows Vista. First download Tuneup Utilities from following link:

Download Tuneup Utilities

Its a 30 days trial version and you'll need to purchase it after 30 days.

Install the software and run the program. Now click on "TuneUp Styler 2" button in the main window:

It'll open another window. Click on "Visual Style" link in left side pane:

Now click on "Add -> Install Visual Style From File..." option:

A browse dialog will open. Browse for the downloaded theme and select its .msstyles file. Now click on Open button:

It'll immediately add the theme in the list. Click on "Apply Visual Style" button:

That's it. Now you can enjoy the theme.

NOTE: There are some cool themes available in our "Vista Themes" section, so don't forget to check them.

This article was posted in Troubleshooting, Vista Themes, Windows Vista.

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47 Comments

moinmoin

You have forget :
Method 3: Manual patched http://www.withinwindows.com/uxtheme-patches/
Method 4: StyleSelector by psycoB http://psycob.deviantart.com/art/StyleSelector-for-Vista-86875351

moinmoin
Rishi

Thanks VG and Moinmoin. Nice information.
lemonvenom

If I use Tuneup Utilities to install the Vista VG Ultimate Black theme after 30 days it will go away, because there's no way I'm buying anything.
VG

^^ I can't confirm it cause I have a licensed version of Tuneup Utilities.
satz

wooooow
.X//Asuka

hmm... in my opinion..... using TuneUp Styler is more easier than VistaGlazz...
about the 30days trial... you can find some keygen at some site....
Sid

Tune up FTW BTW the task bar doesn look good ...shiny look cant see newz rock on work VG...
Sora

I've patched the vistaglazz and restarted my pc then i extract and paste the "aerovg by vishal gupta" file into %windir%\Resources\Themes\ but it still doesn't appear in the themes list i could only apply it by browsing. Why isn't this working out for me?
VG

^^ Try to manually replace the files:

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-apply-3rd-party-themes-in-windows-vista-and-server-2008-without-using-any-software/
Mike

It works, but my up right bottoms dissapeared... :s