Most of the time I get messages ,emails that “your theme doesn’t work” and I always tell them to show a screenshot and 99% times they didn’t have their system patched properly.
I am gonna make this simple for all the guys out there who want to install custom themes and other stuff with ease!
OK let’s get started.
The first thing you gonna need is to patch the windows so that you can install custom themes.
- For windows 7 download this.
- For windows 8 and 8.1 you can use Ultra UX theme Patcher or UX Style Core ( I recommend Ultra ux theme patcher )
If you are on windows 7 home basic or Starter then you will need this software to enable Aero otherwise none of the theme will work and you will regret that even after completing every step as instructed the theme didn’t work.
So next step for Windows 7 will be that most of the themes on windows 7 needs theme resource changer installed.What this little software does is you can add explorer frame navigation images and other control panel images in the theme folder so these images will load as soon as you apply the theme. ( you don’t need to edit dll files )
Next on windows 7 if you need to make your explorer windows and other applications transparent then go check this post
If you want to customize icons then you can get this 7tsp software.There are many icon packs available on the net which you can install using this software or you can even try my application iPack Builder which does the same job but is faster and much more user friendly.
To change the logon screen on windows 7 you can use this.
I think we are over with Windows 7 now we’ll talk about 8 and 8.1
So after patching you windows with above mentioned software ( bullet point 2 ) you really need to install OldNewExplorer what it is and what it does can be found here.
Next if you want to have a start menu on windows 8 and 8.1 just like windows 7 then I really recommend using this. Most of the themes on windows 8 and 8.1 are nowadays compatible with this startisback software you will have your start menu also skinned with your theme.
If you want to install icons then you again use 7tsp or iPack Builder
That’s all the information that you really need to become a Pro at installing themes.
P.S all of your themes are located at C:\Windows\Resource\Themes