NOTE: This tutorial has been featured by Microsoft and Wikipedia. AskVG.com was the first website posting this tutorial.
We here at AskVG love Windows customization and we post several custom 3rd party themes time to time for changing Windows look-n-feel. But Windows doesn't allow 3rd party themes by default and we need to patch Windows to be able to use those themes.
We have posted about several free utilities in past which allow you to patch Windows to use 3rd party themes but people get confused sometimes which utility should they use in which Windows version?
So today to clear all confusions and to make your life easier, we are combining all tools in this single topic.
You can use any of the following mentioned free utilities to patch your Windows and to use your favorite 3rd party theme:
NOTE: All tools support Windows XP, Vista and 7.
Universal Theme Patcher
"Universal Theme Patcher" is another excellent UxTheme Patcher which supports Windows XP SP2/SP3, Server 2003, Vista SP1/SP2, Server 2008 and Windows 7. It can be used in both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) systems.
You can download it using following link:
Following are simple steps to use this tool:
1. You just need to run its EXE file and it'll ask you to select the language.
2. Click on OK button and it'll detect the OS and condition of the system files. It'll show you the information and will ask you for confirmation.
3. Click on Yes button. Now you'll see the main interface of this tool. You just need to click on the "Patch" button given for each file:
4.Once you patch a file, the "Restore" button gets activated so that you can restore the default file in future.
5. Restart your system and you'll be able to use 3rd party themes in Windows without any problem.
VistaGlazz
"VistaGlazz" is a free and very easy to use UXtheme patcher for Windows XP, Vista and 7.
Download and run the program, accept the agreement and click on the first "Computer" icon to patch your system.
You can download it using following link:
UxStyle
"UxStyle" is a very small utility created by our friend "Rafael".
UxStyle is a light-weight system service named Unsigned Themes, complimentary to the Themes service, and a kernel driver, sizing in at ~500k and ~17kb respectfully (beta builds). The service handles the enabling/disabling of custom theme support and the kernel driver handles patching. For 64-bit platforms, the kernel driver is signed with a digital certificate, as required by Microsoft.
Simply download and install the tool and get ready to enjoy 3rd party themes. It works in Windows XP, Vista and 7.
Note that it doesn't have any UI. It'll run as a service in background and will allow you to use 3rd party themes.
Applying Custom 3rd Party Theme
Once you have patched Windows, copy your desired theme folder (containing a .theme file and a folder containing .msstyles file) to "%windir%\Resources\Themes\" folder (where %windir% means "Windows" directory present in system drive where Windows is installed. Most probably C: drive).
Now double-click on .theme file and it'll apply the theme or you can apply it using Desktop Properties.
You can find various themes in our following sections:
This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7, Windows 7 Themes, Windows Vista, Windows Vista Themes, Windows XP, Windows XP Themes.
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GM
Hi! I am having troubles using some themes designed to imitate the Windwows 8's UI for Windows 7.
I have used VistaGlazz to patch my Windows 7 files and a theme named "Windows 8 Aero 1.2" worked for me.
But I didn't get what I expected from a theme simply called "Windows 8" (http://www.askvg.com/download-windows-8-theme-for-windows-7/). Instead I only get the stock default "Windows 7" Windows 7 theme.
I then unpatched my system then used "Universal Theme Patcher" instead but it is still not working.
Any solutions everyone can recommend?
Thank you in advance.
VG
^^ If you are getting 2 "Windows 7" entries in Desktop Personalization window, one must be connected with new Windows 8 theme. Try to click on the 2nd one and it should apply the theme.
If thats not the case, please provide more details.
Grestkii
Does anyone know if these work for Windows 7 starter as well?
VG
^^ Check following:
http://www.askvg.com/download-simple-patch-to-enable-aero-glass-and-all-other-personalization-features-in-windows-7-home-basic-and-starter-edition/
Surya Bakshi
About the UxStyle, when I download it and try to install it it says the that uxtheme.dll and themeui.dll
files have been tampered with. I'm guessing that is because we patched those using the patcher. So I'm at a loss. It says to restore those files. So I would like some help on what to do.
VG
^^ You can restore those files by running the patcher again.
austin
ok so i go the windows 7 look alike on my vista laptop all is good but when i try to use uxstyle core it tells me it needs to be rolled back to its original state before it can let me use the themes can i roll back do a theme then regain my windows 7 task bar? -thanks
VG
^^ If you have already patched Windows and using 3rd party themes, you dont need to run any patcher.
rcmero
I dunno if this has been asked before, but will these work with Windows 8?
VG
^^ Currently there is no UXTheme Patcher available for Windows 8 as there are no 3rd party themes available for Windows 8 yet.