Windows 7: Theme Pack - Create, Save, Install, and Delete

   Information

A theme pack is a cab file (.themepack) that includes a desktop background, window colors, sounds, screen saver, icons, and mouse pointers (cursors) used to change your Windows 7 theme all at once instead of each individual item.

A theme pack (.themepack) file will allow you to share your theme with family and friends.

This will show you how to create, save, install, and delete a theme pack.

The Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic editions do not have this feature included in them.

   Tip

• For developers or advanced users, see Creating and Installing Theme Files for more advanced options to modify the theme file.
• For free themes and desktop backgrounds from Microsoft, see:
  • Desktop backgrounds (wallpaper) - Microsoft Windows
  • Windows 7 themes - Microsoft Windows

OPTION ONE

To Make a Theme Pack

1. Change the Desktop Background picture and settings.

2. Change the Window Color and Appearance settings.

3. Change the Sounds for the Windows 7 sound events to any sound file that you would like instead.

4. Change the Screen Saver and settings to be used for this theme pack.

5. Change the Mouse Pointers (cursors) to use pointers of your choice.

6. Save this theme.

7. Proceed to OPTION TWO below to save your customized theme as a theme pack.

OPTION TWO

To Save Current Theme as a Theme Pack File

1. Right click on a empty space on the desktop and click on Personalize. (See screenshot below)

2. Under My Themes, click on the Save theme link towards the right. (See screenshot above)

3. Type in a name you want for this theme, and click on the Save button. (See screenshot below)

4. Under My Themes, right click on the current theme and click on Save theme for sharing. (See sceenshot below)

5. Navigate to the location that you want to save the .themepack file at, type in a file name for the .themepack, and click on the Save button. (See screenshot below)

6. You can now close the Personalization window. (See screenshot under step 2)

OPTION THREE

To Install a Theme Pack

1. Download and save a .themepack file of your choice to your desktop.
NOTE: For example, the Example.themepack file used in OPTION TWO.

2. Double click on the .themepack file to install it on your computer.
NOTE: This will install the .themepack to a folder with the themepack name in the hidden
C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes folder.

3. You will notice that this .themepack file is now your current theme and has been added to the Personalization window under My Themes. (See screenshot below)

OPTION FOUR

To Delete a Installed Theme Pack

1. Right click on a empty space on the desktop and click on Personalize. (See screenshot below)

2. Select another theme other than the one that you want to delete in the My Themes section. (See screenshot below step 3)

3. Right click on the theme (ex: Example) in the My Themes section that you want to delete, and click on Delete Theme. (See screenshot below)

4. Click on Yes to confirm the deletion. (See screenshot below)

5. When done, close the Personalization window. (See screenshot below step 3)