The default Windows 7 theme is pretty cool and you can even personalise it by changing the glass colours. In fact there are plenty of cool themes available online for Windows 7. However, sooner or later you are bound to get tired of the default Windows 7 Aero theme and its numerous variations. Fortunately for us, the modding community has already started developing unique Visual Styles for Windows 7. Here are some of the best Windows 7 Themes or Visual Styles (scroll down for installation instructions):
1. Luna Royal
2. Ribbon VS
3. SlanXP 2.0
4. Gel XP Blue
5. NEXTlevel
6. Slate
7. Lumens
8. Red Ice
9. ThaImpact
10. base
11. Leopard OSX
13. SiCo
14. Aero Hilled
15. M7 Remix III
16. Vista
18. AeroReloaded
19. Soliq 7.1
20. Gersmaero
Usage Instructions
In order to use the above themes you will need to patch the Windows Themes sub-system. I recommend UxStyle by Rafael for patching the system files. If you are not comfortable with modifying core system files you can use AveStyler (it implements in-memory patch).
Most of the themes are available in ZIP or RAR archives. Extract the theme to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes(where C:\ is the partition with Windows Seven). The .theme file should be reside in the \Themes folder and not in a sub-folder.
Many themes contain additional files such as explorer.exe. You will need to replace the original explorer.exe file (present in C:\Windows directory) with the modded file. There are a couple of ways to do this. Here is the simplest way to do it:
Take ownership of the file.
Rename it to explorer_bak.exe.
Copy-paste the modded explorer.exe file.
Kill explorer.exe using the Task Manager.
Click on File->New Task(Run) and launch explorer.exe.
You can also use Replacer for replacing system files. Although it is no longer under active developement, it still works on most occasions.
Thank you for the information. They are really cool themes. I will try each one.
AVG only detects a virus but I don’t think it can totally remove it. That’s my observation and it seems like its very heavy. Until I decided to uninstall it and Go for Antivir. Man, Antivir is really doing good. It totally removed the virus which AVG can’t.
tr.
Before installing the theme I would like to ask that does these themes have any adverse effect on system performance?
No. All of these are visual styles which makes use of Windows Theme Engine. In fact some of them might be lighter as they dont have glass effects and stuff.
Alas! I don’t use 7. The Seven Aero Shine Blue theme looked wickedly cool.
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These are really very nice and cool themes. I will try these. thanks for this info.
I don’t understand why MS does not allow themes signed by other providers? When others are so evidently doing a better job than them!
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Never used any themes but will have to look into these. Can’t wait for my copy of Windows 7 now!
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Really cool themes!
thnkx for sharing ! =)
part of these themes are for Vista and not 7.
You are right. There are a couple of Windows Vista themes in there. My mistake. Will replace by tommorow.
Good themes. instantfundas made another beautiful collection
http://www.instantfundas.com/2009/12/32-gorgeous-and-unique-windows-7-themes.html
you can get even more great themes from:
http://www.bestwindows7themes.com
and pop in and say hi in our forums
http://www.bestwindows7themes.com/forums
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[…] Omnimo UI Wallpaper: Creation Learn how to apply themes, mod Windows 7 user interface or download a fabulous Windows 7 visual style. AKPC_IDS += […]
[…] to tinker with my desktop and to change themes and visual styles. Last year, I had written about twenty fabulous Windows 7 visual styles. At that point of time, the Windows 7 desktop modding community was just getting started. Since […]
Can I use theme ThaImpact with Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit??
Hi Im looking for a cricket theme for windows 7. I would love to find a themepack with heaps of different cricket pictures of players from around the world and team and action photos. Is it possible to change the start icon to a cricket ball? that would be cool. Anyway i fear there is no such theme around at the moment so I was hoping you might be able to give me instructions on how to create my own theme in windows 7 Ultimate 64bit?
Thanks in advance for any help
Dan
Wow what a great list. thanks for sharing dude!
Can I use theme ThaImpact with Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit??
WOW! These are really sweet themes for windows 7. Wish I could upgrade to Win 7 as soon as possible to enjoy them most!
Thank you for the information. They are really cool themes. I will try each one.
This is a great site, and like you said as far as employment: nope… I found that out 😉
Some of these themes actually look pretty sweet! I am still on Windows XP for now but in 2011 I plan on making the move to Windows 7.
-Jean
More than half of visual styles are deleted
Yes, it’s a bugger that many themes are already deleted. A lot of themes on deviantart regularly disappear. Great list anyway.
I’ve compiled my own mega list of themes, which you can see here:
http://windows7themes.net/198-best-windows-7-themes-custom-shell.html
many of the links doesn’t work or fake
tell me how to download these themes
Those are cool themes I have the Gorillaz theme and I don’t think it is available anymore.
Thanks!