How to Install Custom Themes on Windows 7, Vista, and XP
If you want to install custom themes on your PC running Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, the Universal Theme Patcher is a simple and automatic solution for you.
Universal Theme Patcher for Windows
This software works with the following versions of Windows:
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Server 2008
The patch supports the following files: uxtheme.dll, themeservice.dll, and themeui.dll.
With this straightforward tool, you can easily patch your Windows operating system to use the visual styles of your choice.
Steps to Install the Universal Theme Patcher
Download the Patch:
- Download the automatic patch for Windows 7, Vista, and XP.
Extract the ZIP File:
- Unzip the downloaded file to your hard drive.
Run the Appropriate Executable:
- For 32-bit Windows versions: run
UniversalThemePatcher-x86.exe.
- For 64-bit Windows versions: run
UniversalThemePatcher-x64.exe.
Applying the Patch
Follow these detailed steps to apply the patch:
Launch the Executable:
- Run
UniversalThemePatcher-x86.exe for 32-bit Windows or UniversalThemePatcher-x64.exe for 64-bit Windows.
Select Language:
- The initial window will prompt you to choose a language. Note that French may not be available, but this only affects the software interface, not its functionality. Click OK.
Version and File Information:
- The next window will display your Windows version, the number of files to be patched, the number of files already patched, and the number of files needing patching. Click YES to proceed.
Patch the DLL Files:
- For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, only
uxtheme.dll needs to be patched.
- For Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Windows 7, you need to patch
themeservice.dll, themeui.dll, and uxtheme.dll.
- Click the Patch buttons for each file. After each click, a "Patch success" message will confirm the operation. Click OK.
Restart Your Computer:
- After patching all necessary files, a final window will prompt you to restart your computer. Click YES to restart immediately, or NO if you prefer to restart later.
Restoring Original DLL Files
If you ever want to restore the original versions of your DLL files:
Follow the Same Procedure:
- Use the same procedure as for patching the files, but click the Restore buttons instead of the Patch buttons.
Confirmation:
- The process will confirm successful restoration after each file is restored.
By following these steps, you can easily customize your Windows operating system with your preferred visual styles, giving your desktop a fresh, personalized look.
Important Notes:
- Administrative Rights: Administrator privileges are required to apply the patch.
- Reboot Required: A system restart is necessary after applying the patch to ensure the changes take effect.
