Windows 7: Theme - Change or Save

   Information

This will show you how to choose a theme to change the pictures (desktop background), colors, and sounds on your computer all at once in Windows 7.

You will also see how to save and delete your custom theme. Saving or deleting a theme is not available in Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic.

   Note

• My Themes is your current theme. These .theme files are located in the hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes folder.
• Aero Themes are the Windows Aero themes. They are located in the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes folder.
• Basic and High Contrast Themes are the Windows 7 Basic, Windows Classic, High Contrast #1, High Contrast #2, High Contrast Black, and High Contrast White themes. They are located in the C:\Windows\Resources\Ease of Access Themes folder.
• Regional Themes - See: Themes - Regional

   Tip

• If you would like to, you can also load a theme pack to your computer from a friend or website to have available to use as your current theme.
• For free themes from Microsoft, see: Windows 7 themes - Microsoft Windows

OPTION ONE

To Change the Theme in Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Display icon.

2. In the left blue pane, click on the Change color scheme link. (see screenshot below)

3. Select the color scheme (theme) that you would like, and click on Apply to test to see how you like it. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Aero themes are not available in the Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic editions.

4. When finished, click on OK. (see screenshot below step 3)

5. Close the Display window. (see screenshot below step 1)

OPTION TWO

To Change the Theme in Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise

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

2. To Change the Theme

A) Click on one of the available themes. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: See the NOTE box at the top of the tutorial for more about these. To have the regional themes added, see: Themes - Regional.

B) Go to step 4.

3. To Create a Custom Theme
NOTE: Any changes that you make to a theme that you have already saved will automatically be updated and saved to it. There will be no need to save it as a new theme again in step 4 below unless you want a new theme.

A) Change the Desktop Background picture and settings.

B) Change the Window Color and Appearance settings.

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

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

E) Change, add, or remove any Desktop Icons that you want to with.

F) Change the Mouse Pointers to use pointers of your choice.

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

4. To Save the Current Theme to a File
NOTE: This will be your custom theme with a picture (desktop background), colors, sounds, and screen saver that you have selected and put together for the theme.

A) Under My Themes, click on the Save theme link towards the right. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: This will save your theme as .theme file for use on your computer only. If you want to share the theme with family and friends, then see: Theme Pack - Create, Save, Install, and Delete.

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

5. To Delete a Selected Theme
NOTE: You cannot delete the current theme. If you want to delete the current theme, then you must select another theme in step 2 first.

A) Under My Themes, right click on the saved theme you want to delete and click on Delete theme. (See screenshot below)

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