One of our readers came up with a nice question. What are Windows 7 themes? Let’s take a look at the anatomy of a Windows 7 theme to explain it better.

Windows 7 themes allow you to modify your computer. This involves, wallpapers, icons, cursors, screensavers, colors, sounds and other things. Custom shell themes can even modify the entire appearance.

What Are Themepack Themes?

Themepack themes can include cursors, wallpapers, icons, sounds, screensavers. The themepack themes are files that store all of those elements in a zipped format called .themepack.

Once you apply a themepack theme you’ll find out what Windows 7 themes are, because they will change your desktop background automatically and the other mentioned elements.

What Are Shell Themes?

Shell themes can modify the so called Windows 7 shell. The shell is basically every general design element on your PC – the taskbar, the start orb, the navigation buttons, the entire outer appearance!

To better understand what Windows 7 themes are, take a look at the default theme:

And now take a look at a custom shell theme for Windows 7 which modifies the outer appearance of Windows 7. These Windows 7 shell themes are also called custom themes or visual styles.

That’s also why installing themepack themes is a lot easier than installing shell themes in Windows 7. However, if you read this tutorial you’ll find out how it works soon enough: How to install 3rd party themes

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