Windows 7 - Themes - Regional

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to use the other regional themes in Windows 7.

The Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic editions do not have the Personalization features included in them, such as changing and saving themes.

   Tip

For free themes and desktop backgrounds from Microsoft, see: Personalization Gallery - Windows themes, backgrounds and gadgets - Microsoft Windows

1. Unhide the Windows 7 System and Protected Operating System files.
NOTE: This will be steps 2 and 4 at that link.

2. In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT. (See screenshot below)

3. Open a MCT-(AU, CA, GB, US, or ZA) folder for the regional theme that you want. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: AU (Australia), CA (Canada), GB (United Kingdom), US (United States), and ZA (South Africa).

4. Open the Theme folder in the selected region folder. (See screenshot below)

5. Select (double click) the .theme file to load it. (See screenshot below)

6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 to add any other theme.

7. Once you select a .theme file, Windows 7 will load it so that you will be able to change or select this theme again from within the My Themes area in the Personalization window. (See screenshot below)

8. Hide the Windows 7 System and Protected Operating System files.
NOTE: This will be steps 3 and 5 at that link.

9. If you want to add the theme to the Aero Themes area instead in the Personalization window below, then see this post by Orbital Shark (aka: Jeff) for how.