How Do I use custom themes in Windows 7?

Evilhugbear

New member
Power User
Local time
2:44 PM
Messages
132
Hello, I just wanted to know how to use custom themes in windows 7. I have the retail version (not beta) if that matters.

And also, where can I get themes?

Thanks!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thank you! What is the chance of this breaking anything? And if it breaks is it easy to fix?

Sorry for so many questions.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor
You're welcome. There's always a chance for something to go wrong an mess things up. I would recommend that you at least create a restore point before doing this in case you need to do a system restore using that restore point later. This way you can easily undo it if needed. :)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks, gonna try this before I go to sleep tonight :)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor
I hope it goes smoothly for you. :)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I see in some themes that I need to take ownership of explorer.exe. How do I do this? In vista I had something where I could right click and do that, is there something similar for windows 7?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor
You should use the tutorial in my first post above for how to use those type of themes.

The tutorial below for Vista for taking ownership of a file is still the same method used for Windows 7 if needed. :)

Take Ownership of file - Vista Forums
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello, I downloaded this theme (Gaia09), and the theme works great, but when I try to replace the explorer.exe in C:\Windows it says destination folder access denied ( I have a picture ) even though I added the right click ownership registry file and taken ownership for the file and folder.

Does this registry file not work for win7?
 

Attachments

  • error.jpg
    error.jpg
    129.1 KB · Views: 114

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor
Take ownership of the C:\Windows folder (%windir%).
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-563GB Nanya PC2-6400 DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIM (400MHz)NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Touchsmart IQ771.uk
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-56
Motherboard
ASUS Pheonix
Memory
3GB Nanya PC2-6400 DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIM (400MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM
Sound Card
High Definition Intergrated NVIDIA MCP51
Monitor(s) Displays
46" Sony Bravia HDTV
Screen Resolution
1600x1200
Hard Drives
1.5TB Samsug
320GB Seagate ST3320820AS - SATA 3Gb/s 8MB
500GB Maxtor Basics STM305003EHD301-RK
Internet Speed
↓6.32 Mb/s ↑0.35 Mb/s ↔26ms
Other Info
BIOS - American Megatrends Inc. 5.07
Ethernet Port - NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps
DVD Drive - TSSTcorp DVDR/RW TS-T632L

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-563GB Nanya PC2-6400 DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIM (400MHz)NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Touchsmart IQ771.uk
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-56
Motherboard
ASUS Pheonix
Memory
3GB Nanya PC2-6400 DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIM (400MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM
Sound Card
High Definition Intergrated NVIDIA MCP51
Monitor(s) Displays
46" Sony Bravia HDTV
Screen Resolution
1600x1200
Hard Drives
1.5TB Samsug
320GB Seagate ST3320820AS - SATA 3Gb/s 8MB
500GB Maxtor Basics STM305003EHD301-RK
Internet Speed
↓6.32 Mb/s ↑0.35 Mb/s ↔26ms
Other Info
BIOS - American Megatrends Inc. 5.07
Ethernet Port - NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps
DVD Drive - TSSTcorp DVDR/RW TS-T632L
I did that for both the windows folder and explorer.exe and it still says the same thing. I even went into the admin account and tried even though this account should be an admin. But, even as administrator I still can't replace it. :(
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor
Nobody knows how to fix this? :(
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5 GHz4GB Kingston DDR2-800NVIDIA Geforce 8600M GT (512MB Model)
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Compal JFT02 (Custom Build Laptop)
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5 GHz
Motherboard
JFT02
Memory
4GB Kingston DDR2-800
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA Geforce 8600M GT (512MB Model)
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
WUXGA Standard Laptop Display
Screen Resolution
1680*1050
Hard Drives
Toshiba 320GB 5400RPM Laptop HD
PSU
Standard Laptop Power Supply
Case
Standard Laptop Case
Cooling
Standard Laptop Cooling
Keyboard
Standard Laptop 105 Key-Keyboard
Mouse
Synaptics Touchpad
Internet Speed
Verizion Online DSL 3360/864 kbs (dl/up)
Your problem is in the permissions, double check the ACL of either Explorer.exe or %windir% and make sure that your user account is added to the ACL, has full permissions and is part of the admin group.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-563GB Nanya PC2-6400 DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIM (400MHz)NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Touchsmart IQ771.uk
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-56
Motherboard
ASUS Pheonix
Memory
3GB Nanya PC2-6400 DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIM (400MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM
Sound Card
High Definition Intergrated NVIDIA MCP51
Monitor(s) Displays
46" Sony Bravia HDTV
Screen Resolution
1600x1200
Hard Drives
1.5TB Samsug
320GB Seagate ST3320820AS - SATA 3Gb/s 8MB
500GB Maxtor Basics STM305003EHD301-RK
Internet Speed
↓6.32 Mb/s ↑0.35 Mb/s ↔26ms
Other Info
BIOS - American Megatrends Inc. 5.07
Ethernet Port - NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps
DVD Drive - TSSTcorp DVDR/RW TS-T632L
Doesn't this mean I have full permission?
 

Attachments

  • explorer.jpg
    explorer.jpg
    26.9 KB · Views: 6
  • ownership windows.jpg
    ownership windows.jpg
    27.9 KB · Views: 4

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor
I used the uxstyle thing on vista and I had to uninstall it because it messed it up so badly. I never used uac, first thing I turned off after installing. So I figured I would try patches and it has worked so far :).

I just can't replace explorer.exe!
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-563GB Nanya PC2-6400 DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIM (400MHz)NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Touchsmart IQ771.uk
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-56
Motherboard
ASUS Pheonix
Memory
3GB Nanya PC2-6400 DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIM (400MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM
Sound Card
High Definition Intergrated NVIDIA MCP51
Monitor(s) Displays
46" Sony Bravia HDTV
Screen Resolution
1600x1200
Hard Drives
1.5TB Samsug
320GB Seagate ST3320820AS - SATA 3Gb/s 8MB
500GB Maxtor Basics STM305003EHD301-RK
Internet Speed
↓6.32 Mb/s ↑0.35 Mb/s ↔26ms
Other Info
BIOS - American Megatrends Inc. 5.07
Ethernet Port - NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps
DVD Drive - TSSTcorp DVDR/RW TS-T632L
Still won't let me.

You can't see it but my account is highlighted on explorer properties.
 

Attachments

  • explorer permission.jpg
    explorer permission.jpg
    26.2 KB · Views: 4
  • windows permission.jpg
    windows permission.jpg
    24.8 KB · Views: 5

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3....8GB Patriot DDR3Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition OC'd to 3.8GHz
Motherboard
Asrock
Memory
8GB Patriot DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte Windforce GTX 670
Sound Card
Integrated into mobo
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 20 inch
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
PSU
Corsair HX750W
Case
HAF X
Mouse
Razor
Back
Top