How to make a theme for windows 10 yourself

A surprisingly large number of personal computer users do not change their desktop background. Don't believe me? Just look at someone's laptop screen the next time you're in the office or cafe.

Of those people who do change the background, many use one of the standard operating system images. It's also pretty boring. Why not try something new and different? We have prepared a selection of Windows 10 desktop themes that you can use right now.

In our opinion, dark wallpaper looks cool. They are also easier on the eye than bright, light themes.

There are so many dark themes that it's quite difficult to choose a winner. However, we like it. You can download it in a ZIP file from the DeviantArt gallery.

Move the file to the following location:

  • %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes

Then go to Settings → Personalization → Themes and select GreyEve from the list.

Hover Dark Aero


Of course, there is not much difference between dark and black theme. However, Hover Dark Aero uses more black and less gray compared to GreyEve.

Before using this theme, you need to install UXThemePatcher for Windows 10. After that, download a copy of the theme from DeviantArt.

  • %windir%/Resources/Themes

Now you can go to settings and apply the new design.

Windows XP


Of course, you shouldn't always be using the outdated XP operating system. It has been discontinued for a long time and is a real security nightmare. And there are no serious opportunities in comparison with newer operating systems. But with the help of the Windows XP theme, you can make Windows 10 visually similar to it.


The most famous element of the macOS operating system is the Dock. This bottom bar provides quick access to frequently used applications. The Windows taskbar works in a similar way. But if you like the design in the “apple” style, it’s worth a try.

As the name suggests, the theme adds a Dock to the bottom of the screen. It will replace the existing taskbar. You can customize the Dock to display the app icons you want to see.

The theme comes with a variety of applications ready to use: Widget, Launchpad, Siri, Finder, Exposé and more. There is also a drag-and-drop interface and three skins.


Do you like dark tones? Then pay attention to. This beautiful dark theme makes the system original and looks especially interesting at night. You won't find any contrasting or annoying colors here. A neutral soft palette is used.

Seda


Seda is another dark theme from DeviantArt. Unlike Penumbra, it has a lighter gray shade. Thanks to this, the interface is smooth and even calming. You also get a context menu in a nice dark gray design.

Arc


Arc includes several variations of the basic black and white theme. Includes an icon pack from DeviantArt.

Windows 95


Want to try a real classic? Return to origins - that's how you can call this topic. It's like going back to the old Windows 95, but with the functionality of a modern OS. Would you like to see rectangular buttons and strict gray windows again? Then just install this theme. It is organically complemented by the SilentSamPixelArt thematic package with a set of icons and badges.

Simplify 10


Simplify 10 is actually a collection of Windows 10 themes that share a common aesthetic. They simplify the operating system interface, while making it more sophisticated. For decoration, different variations of gray and white colors are used. Simplify 10 also allows you to change the appearance of window control buttons.

LAB


The main visual feature of this Lab theme is the wide black stripe that runs across the top of each window. The interface is made in light gray tones with the addition of white. The stripe emphasizes contrast.

Mac OS X El Capitan


The name speaks for itself. OS X El Capitan gives you the opportunity to experience Mac OS X on a computer running Windows 10. This is one of the best skins that will allow you to gain valuable experience with the Apple operating system.


This is one of the best themes that combines minimalism and stunning looks. It includes 16 versions: 8 versions of the Flattastic Light theme and 8 versions of the Flattastic Dark theme.

Diversityx VS


Diversityx VS provides a stunning, classic look to your computer or laptop. People who work at night will love this dark, translucent interface. It is pleasing to the eye and easy to use.

Ubuntu SkinPack


Ubuntu Skin Pack will completely transform your Windows experience and provide you with a valuable experience using the Ubuntu operating system. Most of the features of this software can be customized by the user. For example, you can change keyboard shortcuts, color schemes, and much more.


Another beautiful and simple theme. In the background, the screen displays a blue sky with clouds. The interface resembles any cloud service.

FFox Theme


If you're looking for an updated desktop style, the FFox theme might be what you're looking for. She looks really amazing. The combination of black and orange creates a fantastic impression.

Ades Theme


Rounding out our list is another dark theme for Windows 10. Ades Theme uses different shades of gray and adds a little different color to it. In general, everything looks strict and even slightly fantastic. This is another interesting option for PC or laptop users who want more variety.

Themes for Windows are already a fairly old part of the Microsoft operating system. But with the arrival of the Windows 10 Creators Update, developers have made it much easier to work with themes for Windows. There is now a separate section in the store with themes, as well as a separate segment in the personalization settings. Here you will find some tips for working with themes for Windows 10.

Where to download and how to install themes for Windows 10

The theme settings section is located in the personalization options.

Open Settings, or simply click Win+I for faster transition. Open Personalization and go to the tab Themes. This is where you will customize the theme of your computer.

Themes for Windows 10 consist of four components: a background image (wallpaper), sounds, an accent color, and mouse cursors. Each of them can be configured in separate sections, or in a single place - in themes.


If the theme contains multiple background images, then you will be interested in the slideshow options. To do this, click on Background and the system will take you to the section with desktop background image settings. There you can change the time after which the wallpaper will change automatically. You can select 1 minute, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours or 1 day.

The important thing is that in Windows 7/8, managing themes was a little more convenient, since the operating system allowed you to choose which wallpaper from the theme would be used. You could also choose one specific picture. There is no such option in Windows 10 Settings, since Microsoft cut out the old personalization section that dates back to Windows 8/7. It’s a shame.

Bonus: You can download themes for Windows 10 not only from the store. Themes for Windows 7/8 are also perfect. You just need to find a site with themes and download them in the format .themepack.

Double click on the downloaded file and wait for the system to install it. After this, the topic will be available in the section. The same is true for themes downloaded from the Windows Store. All other features of Windows 10 themes apply to themes downloaded from outside the Windows Store. So your favorite theme from Windows 7 can be installed on new operating systems.

How to remove themes for Windows 10

Themes in Windows 10 are uninstalled in the same way as regular applications. To do this you need to open Settings - Apps & Features. In the list you need to find the downloaded theme, click on it, and then select Delete. Windows 10 will then cut out the selected theme.

Another option: open Settings - Personalization - Themes. Find the installed theme and right-click on it. Select Delete.

How to create a theme for Windows 10

  1. Set a background image. Go to Options – Personalization – Background. On the menu Background select Image and press Review. Indicate the desired picture. Alternatively, just in Explorer click Set as desktop background image.
  2. Next, go to the section Options – Personalization – Colors. Here you can set automatic color selection (it will be obtained depending on the color of your wallpaper), select a ready-made color, or set any custom one.
  3. Then open Settings – Personalization – Themes – Sounds. Specify which set of sounds should be used for the theme.
  4. At the end in the same section Themes select mouse cursors.
  5. Once setup is complete, click Save topic. Name the file and it will then appear in the list of installed themes a little lower. To save it as a separate file, right-click on your topic and select Save topic for sharing.

This is all that beginners need to know about how to download, install, uninstall, or create a theme for Windows 10.

It often happens that a user wants to somehow update or diversify the internal working appearance of his OS. It's not that difficult to do. The default look of Windows 10 can be changed in different ways. One of them is installing a new theme.

Changing Theme

The entire Windows design installed by default is a standard theme. By installing another one, you will change the appearance of windows, the cursor, system applications, and also add new wallpaper, system sounds and design colors.

There are several ways to install a new theme: download it from the official store, create it yourself, or download it using third-party programs. Please note that versions of Windows prior to build 1703 Creators Update did not have this feature, so make sure you have this or a later version of the system installed.

Through the official store

To change the theme using the official Microsoft Store, follow these steps:

  1. Expand system settings.

    Open System Settings

  2. Go to the “Personalization” block.

    Open the “Personalization” block

  3. Select the "Themes" sub-item. Once in it, you will see a list of already available themes. Select one of them and evaluate the changes made. If you don’t like the theme, you can always change it to the standard one in the same way.

    Click on the theme you want to install and evaluate the changes made

  4. If there is no option suitable for you in the list of standard themes, proceed to search for new offers by clicking on the “Other themes in the Store” button.

    Click on the "More Themes in the Store" button

  5. The official Microsoft store will open. It has a huge selection of free themes. Find among them the one that attracted you and install it, and then return to the “Themes” sub-item, select and save it.

    Select a theme from the store and install it

  6. After installing some themes, the “Themes” sub-item is transformed: a list of things that can be configured appears in it. For example, you can choose from several cursors or alert sounds.

    After installing themes from the store, the “Themes” tab is transformed: a list of additional settings appears in it

Via the official website

A large number of topics are presented on the official Microsoft website. Open the desired page, select the theme you like and download it, then open the downloaded file and confirm the installation. Done, the new theme will be applied automatically and will appear in the list along with the previously received themes.

The official Microsoft website offers a large selection of additional themes

Video: how to change the Windows 10 theme through the official Microsoft website

Via patch

If you want to install themes from third-party resources, that is, not from the official website or store, you will have to first install an additional UltraUXThemePatcher patch, which adds the desired function to the system:

  1. Download the patch installation file from the official website and run it, click on the “Next” button and wait for the automatic installation to complete.

    Run the installation file and click Next

  2. Reboot your system.

    Restart your computer

  3. Download the theme from any third-party site and move it to the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes folder.

    Copy the theme to the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes folder

  4. When all the files have been successfully copied, go to personalize your computer and install the theme that appears in exactly the same way that official themes are installed, that is, click on it and wait until the system is transformed.

    Select a third-party theme from the list of themes and wait for the system to complete its transformation

Video: how to change the Windows 10 theme using UltraUXThemePatcher

Through third party programs

For more detailed and convenient customization of your own theme or installation of someone else’s, you can resort to the help of third-party programs. For example, try WindowBlinds 10.

  1. Select the color and size of the window in the Style tab. The application has a large range of colors available. The palette will help you achieve exactly the shade you need.

    Select window color and size

  2. In the Wallpaper section, from the proposed set of beautiful pictures and photographs, select those with which you want to decorate your desktop.

    Set your desktop picture

  3. In the Settings section, pay attention to additional settings: playing sounds and showing system icons.

    In the Settings section there are more detailed theme settings

If the theme installation process seems too long for you, you can install the Windows Themes Installer program. It allows you to specify the path to several topics at once and quickly switch between them as needed.

Windows Themes Installer allows you to select multiple themes at once and switch between them as needed

Create your own theme

Creating a theme is personalizing the system to your taste and then saving the established parameters. It is worth saving the theme if you are going to change system settings in the future or install a new theme, but at the same time be able to return to the earlier configuration. You can also share your themes with other people using your Microsoft account.


Deleting a topic

Right-click on the topic and select the “Delete” function

Please note that you can only get rid of topics that you added. Standard themes cannot be recycled.

Video: How to remove a theme in Windows 10

What to do if the theme does not install

If you are faced with the fact that the new theme does not work, that is, the system design does not change in any way after installing it, then first of all restart your computer. Perhaps this will help fix the problem. If it does not disappear after a restart, then the problem is most likely in the topic itself. Uninstall it and try installing either another one or the same one, but download it from another site and install it in a different way.

A similar problem sometimes occurs due to the fact that the account name is written in Russian characters. The only way to rename the folder responsible for the username is to create a new account with the correct name, and then transfer all the necessary data to it.

You can install a theme in different ways: download from the official store or website, download through a third-party website and program after installing a patch, or create it yourself. But remember that you need to select a theme so that its colors and settings do not hurt the eyes, do not spoil the appearance of the system and do not reduce its level of comfort.

In the Windows 10 operating system, from update 1703, it became possible to download themes from the store and install them on the OS, which can include a variety of wallpapers, sounds, and cursor shapes. There is also a feature that allows you to create your own combinations.

How to do all this will be discussed in this article.

Downloading and installing themes

Can be done manual search in the store, asking the names of interest in the search. But there is an option that allows you to open the list with all available settings at once; to do this, you will first need to follow the path Options - Personalization - Themes. And here you can click on the link marked in the picture, which will take you to the store section in which all the topics will be collected.

In order for the collection to become available for installation, you need to click “ Get» in the store and wait for the download to finish. After which you can apply and install the downloaded files directly from the store, or from the theme section in personalization.

What exactly the collection consists of, what wallpapers and cursors are included in it and what exactly will change during installation can be found in personalization menu, simply click on the line of interest, after which detailed information will open.

How to remove themes from Windows 10

If downloaded files begin to take up a lot of space and are not used, then they can and should be deleted. This can be done from the Personalization section, which is located in Options menu. There, having selected the desired collection, you can click on the “Delete” button, after which it will disappear and will no longer take up space on the device.

You can also remove it from the utility " Applications and features", which will display all applications downloaded from the store. To get here you have to click Options, and then go to point Applications. After that, all you have to do is select unnecessary programs and press the “ Delete" After the process is completed, all files will be cleared and the theme will become unavailable.

How to create your own theme

Also available in the new system is a function for personalizing your computer and creating your own collections, while providing the ability to transfer them to other users.

To create you will have to get into corresponding menu in the personalization section, after which the following settings will be available:


After the process is completed, the finished collection will appear among the rest. By right-clicking on it, you can select the item marked in the image, which will allow you to save it as a file.

This file can be transferred to any other device and installed there, after which it will be possible to set a custom combination of settings.

As you can see from the article, downloading, installing, creating your own themes and deleting them is quite simple.

If you don't want to customize each Windows 10 design option individually, then it's better to use ready-made themes. This is a special set of styles, sounds, wallpapers, which in one fell swoop changes the appearance of the operating system. You can download themes in a special gallery on the Microsoft website.

However, some users want a deeper transformation than what the themes on Microsoft's site offer. In this case, there is nothing left to do but turn to design options created by third-party developers.

Attention! Some of the third-party themes modify system files, which may cause errors or crashes. Be sure to make sure that the downloaded theme is designed specifically for your version of Windows. Before using themes, back up your important data, create a restore point, or create a full disk copy.
The editors are not responsible for the possible consequences of installing the theme.

By default, installing third-party themes on Windows is blocked. The UltraUXThemePatcher application will help fix this. Download it from this page, install and restart your computer. After this, you can install any visual styles, including those from independent developers.

Please note: some themes can simply be copied to the system folder C:\Windows\Resources\Themes, and then activated in the personalization settings. Others require the installation of additional utilities that modify system resources to function properly. Therefore, before using any theme, carefully read the accompanying documentation, which usually describes the installation process.

Here are 7 stunning Windows 10 themes to start experimenting with.

Penumbra 10

SEDA

Arc

ClassicX

Simplify 10 Light