This
will be a guide how to install Windows 7 themes properly. You can
install themepacks created on Windows 7 by double-clicking on it, but
for 3rd party themes you will have to patch your uxtheme.dll and some
other dll files first.
Overview
Installing custom Windows 7 themes can be more difficult than you
think. This is a comprehensive guide that will teach you what you have
to do.
If this tutorial is too difficult for you or simply can’t install
Windows 7 themes after following each and every step, you should simply
download one of our custom Windows 7 themes. ALL of them can be
installed with a simple double-click!
Download Custom Windows 7 Themes – 1-CLICK-INSTALL
Prerequisites
To install themes you first have to follow Method 1 or Method 2. This is NOT optional.
Questions & Answers
Installing .Themepack Themes vs. Installing Unsigned Themes
Before we start, answer this question:
Do you want to install a theme that has the file extension
.themepack or is it a complex shell theme that actually changes the
appearance of your operating system and has the file extension .theme
and usually comes with a whole folder of files?
If the answer is that it is a .themepack theme, you can install the
theme with a simple double-click. If it’s not, then proceed with the
next step.
Before installing 3rd-party themes: Create a backup
Microsoft does not allow you to use themes that modify the shell of
Windows 7 or other parts like the Start orb or the taskbar. In order to
install those themes you will have to patch your uxtheme.dll,
themeui.dll and themeservice.dll, which can be found
“C:\Windows\system32\”.
Before you try to install any themes please make a backup of those files!! I won’t repeat this and you are doing any changes at your own risk, I don’t take any responsibility.
Method 1: Universal Theme Patcher
Alternatively, you can download the Universal Theme Patcher created by
deepxw
that works with Windows XP SP2 SP3/2003/2008/Vista SP1 SP2/Windows 7,
32bit(x86)/64bit(x64). This won’t create another background process,
instead it will patch your files.
This patcher will automatically patch the following files on Windows 7: uxtheme.dll, themeui.dll, themeservice.dll
In order to patch the files, you will to run this with administrator
privileges. To provide admin rights, right-click on the file and select
“Run as administrator”:
The tool will automatically create a backup of the file, so it’s
totally safe, because you can always restore the original file:
One last step: To install 3rd party themes, you have to copy the complete folder to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes
Method 2: Background Service UXStyle Core
The first and probably easiest way to install Windows 7 themes is to
use the UXStyle Core tool (created by Rafael withinwindows.com).
The UXStyle Core tool can downloaded from
http://uxstyle.com/ or from our own server:
Download UXStyle Core
This tool will create a new process “UnsignedThemesSvc.exe” that is
running in the background and will allow you to run 3rd-party themes
properly.
After rebooting your PC, you should check if the service “Unisgned Themes” is started. To do that follow a few instructions:
1. Click on Start
2. Enter services.msc into the search field
3. Enter “U” and look for the service “Unsigned Themes”
4. Double-click it and click on “Start”
5. If it could not find the specified file, you should download
One last step: To install 3rd party themes, you have to copy the complete folder to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes
Troubleshooting Unsigned Themes service
Error:
Windows could not start the Unsigned Themes service on local computer.
Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified.
Sidenote: Before you use the UXStyle Core, you
should deinstall any previously installed UXTheme.dll patches. The
UXStyle Core is working on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.
If you have problems installing unsigned themes after installing
UXStyle Core, check if the service is started: Enter “sc start
UnsignedThemes” into command line or follow the instructions above.
Reboot your PC after installing UXStyle Core!
UXTheme.dll x64 Build 7100
If you found this tutorial useful, please retweet it, submit it to digg or stumbleupon. I would really appreciate it.
Where should I copy my themes to?
To install your 3rd-party themes you have to copy your themes to the folder C:\Windows\Resources\Themes
Let’s take a peek at that folder to understand how it works:
The themes folder has some .theme files but also a folder called
“Aero”. This folder is part of the Aero theme (aero.theme). The folder
MUST have the exact name of the .theme file (in this case Aero). The
folder name is case-insensitive.
Now let’s take a peek at a typical 3rd-party theme:
A folder and a .theme file! For now, it doesn’t really matter what is
in that folder. Now, when you extract the folder and .theme file you
have to make sure that you are not creating a subfolder for the theme,
it has to be exactly like above! If the folder Midnight and Midnight.theme are in a subfolder your theme won’t be recognized.
What should I do with shell32.dll, explorer.exe and other system files?
Many themes will include system files that you have to replace, e.g.
explorer.exe, shell32.dll or other system files. You have to replace
them to fully install your themes.
Be advised that modifying system files can render your system unusable! Always be VERY careful when you replace system files.
Installing Shell Themes & Theme Installer 0.7
Update 8/8/2010:
A new guide has been added that explains how to install custom
Windows 7 shell themes. This guide includes some special tips for 64-bit
Windows 7 users. When you install shell themes on Windows 7 64-bit
you’ll have to copy some files to the SysWOW64 folder, that’s explained
in the guide:
How to install shell themes
Additionally, we have added a theme installer that makes installing themes a lot easier:
Download Windows 7 theme installer
Or you might like these sexy wallpaper, tweaks and themes:
Here at windows7themes.net we love Windows 7, Gaming and
everything digital. We have hundreds of great Windows 7 themes, registry
tweaks, tutorials - please use our search box if you look for anything
specific.
You have some awesome themes, tips or you want to write for us?
Drop us a mail: win7themes at googlemail.com
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