subject: How to install windows 7 theme [print this page] How to install windows 7 theme How to install windows 7 theme
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
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!
Prerequisites
To install themes you first have to follow Method 1 or Method 2. This is NOT optional.
* Are you trying to install an unsigned Windows 7 theme?
* Disclaimer: Backup files
* Method 1: Patch files uxtheme.dll, themeui.dll and themeservice.dll
* Method 2: Unsigned Themes Services
Questions & Answers
* Troubleshooting Method 2
* Download My DLL files (64-bit only)
* Where do I have to copy my Windows 7 themes to? How do I actually INSTALL them!
* There are system files! How do I replace them?
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:Windowssystem32".
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.
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
One last step: To install 3rd party themes, you have to copy the complete folder to C:WindowsResourcesThemes
To download tools required for installing themes, and to read the complete article go to : http://pimpinggadgets.com/2011/03/how-to-install-a-theme-on-windows-7/
