How to Show Actual Theme Names in Windows 7 Desktop Properties?

Whenever you install a 3rd party theme in Windows 7 and try to apply it using Desktop Personalization window, you might have noticed that it always shows “Windows 7” label for the installed themes instead of their actual names:

Wrong_Theme_Name_in_Win_7_Desktop_P.png

Actually all such themes are created using the default Aero theme as the base and its name is set to “Windows 7” in its .theme file by default. You just need to modify 3rd party theme’s .theme file and set its name to your desired one to show actual theme names. How to do it? Here are the required steps:

Advertisement

1. First open My Computer and copy-paste following text in addressbar:

%windir%\Resources\Themes

Press Enter and it’ll open “Themes” folder.

NOTE: Here %windir% represents “Windows” directory present in system drive where Windows 7 is installed, most probably C: drive.

Alternatively, you can go to “Windows\Resources\Themes” folder manually.

2. Now look for the .theme files of the installed 3rd party themes:

3rd_party_theme_files.png

Advertisement

3. Right-click on the file and open it in Notepad. Look at the 5th line. It’ll contain following text:

DisplayName=@%SystemRoot%\System32\themeui.dll,-2013

Wrong_Theme_Name_in_theme_file.png

4. Delete the text after “DisplayName=” and type your desired name in its place. For example, if you are using Luna theme for Windows 7, set the text to Luna:

DisplayName=Luna

Actual_Theme_Name_in_theme_file.png

5. That’s it. Now save and close the file and open Desktop Personalization window and now you’ll see the actual theme name:

Actual_Theme_Name_in_Win_7_Desktop_.png

NOTE: You can give any name to the theme according to your requirements.

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. @VG About the “My Themes” thing, it’s made when you make your own theme i.e. different taskbar color, different wallpapers different sounds etc.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NOTE: Your comment may not appear immediately. It'll become visible once we approve it.