How to install Windows 7 Themes


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.

How to install Windows 7 themes

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: 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

Unsigned Themes Service

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.
Fix:
Download Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package
x32 Download
x64 Download

Microsoft Visual Studio

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!


Method 2: 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.

Download Universal Theme Patcher.

This patcher will automatically patch the following files on Windows 7: uxtheme.dll, themeui.dll, themeservice.dll

Universal Theme Patcher

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”:

run as administrator theme patcher

The tool will automatically create a backup of the file, so it’s totally safe, because you can always restore the original file:

theme patcher backup file

UXTheme.dll x64 Build 7100

I uploaded my own dll files, but you should only use them if you are using Windows 7 Build 7100 (RC) x64:
Download UXTheme.dll x64 7100#

If you found this tutorial useful, please retweet it, submit it to digg or stumbleupon. I would really appreciate it.

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About Oliver:
I am the founder of http://windows7themes.net and http://vistadesktopthemes.com. In my free time I love blogging and I am a big tech enthusiast; if there is something new out there I got to try it out! As a web developer, I also have a passion for programming and design.
Learn How To Speed Up Windows 7!

27 Comments »

  • Dorothy said:

    Thank you so much for this tut, saved me time to search on google, worked and was easy to understand

    # 7 December 2009 at 3:30 am
  • Jeff said:

    OK I ran UXTheme and it says it’s ready to install. So if I have a theme – what do I do now? I tried clicking on the theme name and it seems to put it in the Theme area but doesn’t do anything

    # 23 December 2009 at 8:04 pm
  • Kyo said:

    I’m stuck on the first solution. I got the error while trying to start Unsigned Themes, and I even downloaded your solution to the problem… in fact, both of the installations. However, I still continue to get that problem! Is there something else that I’m missing?

    # 10 January 2010 at 8:20 am
  • sOliver (author) said:

    Hi Kyo,

    are you running Windows 7 32-bit? Then you will need Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 x32. You can check that here: Start Menu -> Control Panel -> System -> Look for “System Type: 32-bit Operating System”.

    I recommend solution 2 (!), try that one if it doesn’t work after you installed the correct version of C++. Patch the files and then if you have a theme (not just a .themepack!) that changes the taskbar and other things, you copy them to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes.
    There’s not much you could possibly do wrong.

    Let me know if it works.

    # 11 January 2010 at 11:25 am
  • Kyo said:

    Actually, I’m running 64-bit. Having just upgraded from Vista (and fiddling a bit with the themes on there), I thought it would be just as easy on 7. Sadly, I’ve tried both of your solutions, with the same response on my laptop: nothing. I’ve installed the appropriate C++ version, and tried both solutions with different themes just to make sure one wasn’t broken.

    # 13 January 2010 at 5:08 am
  • Echo said:

    Thanx for adding where to add the theme files oliver :D

    # 20 January 2010 at 3:35 am
  • vaibhav said:

    I have patch 3 dll files by using universal theme patcher,but still facing problem style changed but explorer did no work.

    # 24 January 2010 at 11:01 pm
  • Matter0ni said:

    So I’ve been struggling to get themes to work on Win7 for days. I’ve turned UAC off and tried UxStyle, Universal Theme Patcher, and everything I can think of.

    Screenshot of problem: http://hizost.com/f/88

    The tops of the windows and bottom don’t use the custom themes, but everything else does. UnsignedThemesSvc.exe runs well and all of that, just no tops and bottoms of windows are being skinned =(

    Anyone have ANY idea what’s up?? Is ExplorerFrame.dll responsible for this or what??

    # 25 January 2010 at 8:32 am
  • Ahmed said:

    Thank you for the insructions
    you made this very easy

    # 7 February 2010 at 12:14 am
  • MasterDnte14 said:

    Ok i started the unsignd themes…downloaded the ux, did it…Downloaded a theme put it in the themes folder….didnt appear when i tried to personalize…..i also noticed that the other themes said( windows theme) my theme said (.desktop) what should i do?

    # 10 February 2010 at 1:59 am
  • bart said:

    my expirience:

    “windows 7 64 ver 7600 – fresh install”

    first solution dont work

    second work but…
    after restart when i aplly any of 3d party themes
    and i close window everything looks ok. but i cant
    come back to change theme again. window with themes
    wont appear so i restored files.
    after all it does not much amazing difrence.
    thanks for effort

    # 18 February 2010 at 3:18 am
  • Steve said:

    tried all the methods..Universal Theme Patcher, adding theme in Themes folder but still doesnt work. What can be done to make the theme work?

    # 20 February 2010 at 8:06 am
  • Bill said:

    I followed all of the instructions but I can’t hit the start button it is just barely visible.

    # 24 February 2010 at 2:05 am
  • sOliver (author) said:

    you must have done something wrong then. Your BMP file is too small I’d suppose. Download one of our start button BMP files and modify that one .. then it should work

    # 24 February 2010 at 5:34 am
  • Leo said:

    Helo,I’m new in computer thingy. Before the first step,what do you mean i have to backup uxtheme.dll, themeui.dll and themeservice.dll, which can be found “C:\Windows\system32\”. And where do i have to patch them..??

    # 26 February 2010 at 9:11 am
  • sOliver (author) said:

    Hey Leo. You should backup (copy) your system files. The files we are editing are system files that are important. If something goes wrong you need a backup, therefore you have to copy the files that I mentioned to a secure place. Copy, not move!

    You will find the files in C:\Windows\system32, simply select the files with a simple left-click (hold down CTRL to select multiple files), press CTRL + C and then open a new folder somewhere else where you want to store your important system files and press CTRL + V.

    Then follow the instructions of the tutorial. You will download a tool that allows you to patch your files. As a beginner try Method 2 first! Then you have to download the Universal Theme patcher: http://windows7themes.net/them.....090409.zip

    This tool will help you to patch your files. It will even create a backup of your files, but it’s better to have multiple copies of your important system files anyway.

    # 26 February 2010 at 9:56 am
  • Leroy said:

    Hello, bought a new laptop recently so quite fresh with win7,
    my question was, tried method 1, installed, restarted, services.msc, cant find the Unsigned thing anywhere so uninstalled that now.
    going to try method 2 now.. sorry for seeming clueless but am i missing something or is it only about patching the files..? i’ve picked theme 19 in the 30 themes list
    (windows7themes.net/windows-7-desktop-themes)
    trying to get it installed but im just wondering if it gets simple after i patch and what i should expect to see? (feels like theres more work to it)

    Any help or answers would be awesome.

    # 28 February 2010 at 4:13 am
  • sOliver (author) said:

    Yep, definitely go with method 2. It works far better.
    Just patch your files, copy the files where they belong (read tutorial for instructions) and then you’re good to go.

    If you have to replace files like explorer.exe etc. you should read our other tutorials as well, it can be a bit difficult for beginners.

    Replacing explorer.exe http://windows7themes.net/how-.....ows-7.html

    # 28 February 2010 at 4:59 am
  • Leroy said:

    sorry to keep bothering but, i’ve come as far as changing my explorer.exe now, patched the 3 files, installed fonts and all but i cant figure out where to put all the other DLL’s..? en-US and shell ones? regarding en-US i can find a folder of that in WINDOWS and in Sys32 folder.. cant seem to find where to put those anywhere so ^^’
    thanks thus far anyway :D

    # 28 February 2010 at 3:24 pm
  • sOliver (author) said:

    Hey,

    here’s a quick answer (will shortly post tutorial and long answer).

    You have to copy the folder “Midnight” and “Midnight.theme” (can be found in in the main folder “Midnight Theme” to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\

    Read this and you will understand everything:
    http://windows7themes.net/wind.....ation.html

    As for the shell32 images, you can use ResourceHacker or Restorater for this job. I am using ResourceHacker.

    Please read this tutorial (it’s about changing the start button, but you are doing the same for the shell images):
    http://windows7themes.net/how-.....ows-7.html

    => I’m talking about the Shell32 Replacement Images!

    # 28 February 2010 at 4:20 pm
  • Leroy said:

    thanks for your quick reply oliver, i’ll get to work and see what i can do :) already seems alot more understandable

    thanks alot for your time!

    # 28 February 2010 at 4:26 pm
  • Leroy said:

    thanks! theme is up and running, had already installed the orb in the extra’s, so thats how far i’ve come now :D which im quite satisfied with already!

    # 28 February 2010 at 4:40 pm
  • anne said:

    I have a question.

    Does changing the Windows theme with this whole patching method have any affect on the speed that that Windows will run other programs? Like, it will it take up more resources to run a 3rd party theme than usual because it’s not a ‘natural’ part of the Windows 7 shell?

    Thanks for your help! :)

    # 1 March 2010 at 8:44 am
  • Leroy said:

    Hey anne to somewhat answer part of your question, i’ve so far not noticed any slowing down at all, no. still the same speed as always, one thing to watch out for is the somewhat darker themes though, i used to have one installed where i couldnt properly find some buttons anymore and where text-entry was rather dark, and Office-Word background was darkened a little, so i switch themes when i use Word now :D which isnt really much work, but i expect none of these problems with lighter themes.

    ~Leroy ~your average websurfer~

    # 6 March 2010 at 12:36 am
  • safo said:

    hello, please i want ur help !! i tried the 1st method but i could not find the specified file, then i tried the 2nd and patched the files .
    what should i do to apply the theme ?

    # 7 March 2010 at 11:36 pm
  • sOliver (author) said:

    @anne Windows 7 themes mostly replace BMP files. So, theoretically, themes with very large BMP could slow down your system, but a modern PC that runs Windows 7 should be able to run ANY Windows 7 theme just fine.

    I wouldn’t really worry about it, I’d worry more about unnecessary services and background processes that can slow down your PC.

    @safo please read through the comments. You have to copy shell themes to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\. Other themes (.themepack files) can be installed with a simple double-click. Make sure that you copy the theme folder and .theme file to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\ or it won’t work.

    # 8 March 2010 at 12:16 am
  • sOliver (author) said:

    @Leroy: Did you figure out how to replace shell32.dll? If not, read this tutorial that explains how to replace system files in Windows 7:
    http://windows7themes.net/how-.....ows-7.html

    Oh and ONLY replace shell32.dll in Windows/system32 .. DON’t replace shell32.dll in Windows/syswow64 or you will get this error:
    Atbroker.exe (0xc000007b)

    # 9 March 2010 at 12:27 am

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