Styling Windows 7 (Part 1): How to Change the Visual Style
(8 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)
Loading ...
April 21st, 2010 written by Christoph in Styling
There’s no doubt about it—Windows 7 is the most beautiful-looking, Microsoft operating system yet. There are endless possibilities—including icons and backgrounds—for styling Windows 7. Let’s start off with a simple ‘how to’ guide for changing the entire user interface of the operating system.
There are easy ways to make Windows 7 even better, sleeker, and richer looking. What about giving it a more translucent and “glowing” interface? 
Or, what about applying a theme similar to Apple’s Snow Leopard? 
We’ve downloaded and tested more than 50 alternative visual styles and compiled a list of our five favorites for readers.
Changing the Visual Style
Microsoft officially does not like users to change the look and feel of Windows; by default, third-party themes, such as the two images above, are not allowed. But, no sweat! We’ve got you covered, with a safe way to change the default, Windows Aero design to basically anything you like.
- All you need is TuneUp Styler. (As a reminder, this is part of TuneUp Utilities, which you can try for 15 days.) Install the program, and click on “Visual Style” in the “Customize Windows” category.
- Click on the “Add” button. You should now have two choices—select one of the visual styles from TuneUp’s Web site, or a third-party visual style by clicking on “Load visual style from a file”.
- If you like the way the new visual style looks (click on “Show large preview”), then hit “Apply”. After a moment, you will see the new visual style. (Note: If you don’t like the new design, click on “Restore defaults” and “Apply” to return to the Windows Aero style.)
Our favorites: the top five visual styles
Since the release of Windows 7, hundreds of third-party visual styles have popped up all over the Internet. We’ve gathered the best of the best (many from the popular DeviantArt Web site), and here are five designs we love (and think you will too).
Note: Be aware that, in some cases, you will need to extract the downloaded files using a program like WinRAR. Inside the archive, you will need to add the “Windows Theme File” with TuneUp Styler.
We also suggest you move them away from your download folder (such as the desktop or Documents) to a more secluded folder, such as Program Files, so that the styles are not accidentally deleted.
Next up in our Windows 7 styling series—the TuneUp Blog team will show you how to customize the screen that you see every time you lock your computer, log on, and log off.
28 Responses to “Styling Windows 7 (Part 1): How to Change the Visual Style”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- Tweets that mention Styling Windows 7 (Part 1): How to Change the Visual Style » TuneUp Blog about Windows — Topsy.com
- Geek Squeaks’ of the Week (#57) « What's On My PC
- Styling Windows 7 (Part 2): How to Change the Logon Screen » TuneUp Blog about Windows
April 22, 2010 at 6:46 am
Hey guys, use this wall paper made by me : http://www.mediafire.com/i/?onkzamom2ii , inspired by Tune Up.
April 22, 2010 at 6:46 am
It would go great with the Mac Style.
April 22, 2010 at 10:03 am
Good Morning Jeet, this is a really cool idea. Have you already seen the newest honeycombs of TuneUp Utilities? Personally I like them more then the former ones. What do you think? http://dn1.tune-up.com/images/company/press/gallery/tuu2010/TU_LOGO_1890x1890.png
April 22, 2010 at 10:59 am
Awesome Alexandra, why did you not tell me earlier? Gotta make another wallpaper now !!!
April 22, 2010 at 11:26 am
Tune Up Inspired HD Wallpaper. Check it out Guys: http://www.mediafire.com/i/?yodttmzmawm
April 22, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Hi Jeet, you are great!
April 22, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Thanks
November 29, 2010 at 6:21 pm
IT’S AMAIZING THANX U ALL GUYS N SPECIALLY U CUTE GIRL ALEXANDRA………..
November 30, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Kunal,
Alexandra is an respectable Tune Up executive and not your “cute girl”. Being an Indian, please maintain decent linguistic standards when communicating with persons of international repute. This is not your run-out-of-the-mill public website, but an international companies weblog.
Best, Debojyoti.
November 30, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Instead of ‘companies’, please read ‘company’s’
February 18, 2011 at 7:16 am
Glow Air for Windows 7 is beautiful!!!
November 2, 2011 at 5:58 am
how can i get all these themes in a rar package?
November 3, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Hey Urvish, sorry, unfortunately we can’t pack them all into a single RAR file – you have to download each of them separately.
Best, Sandro
February 8, 2012 at 2:31 am
GOOD THEMS
February 25, 2012 at 12:52 pm
by me it always sets the theme on the standard skin. I dont know why. PLEASE HELP!
February 27, 2012 at 7:26 pm
Hey, which theme are you trying to apply? Or does this happen with all themes?
March 8, 2012 at 12:11 am
I like the way these styles look.I am into the more dark evil stuff so if you could give me some links that would be great.
Sincerely,
Jason
March 16, 2012 at 7:00 pm
@Debojyoti Das: Who CARES if this is “an international company’s weblog”? Is it impossible for an emloyee of an international company to be cute? You just sound like a jealous child who didn’t get the same candy as another child.
Grow up already.
March 28, 2012 at 8:35 am
I have had some good luck with the styler, but some themes just will NOT work. How do I know which user-created visual styles will work and which ones won’t?
I’m also looking for a style with a dark background on windows instead of the white that all the styles on this page have in common.
Thanks in advance for helping me to understand and enjoy this product even more than I already do.
May 2, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Hi Andrew, unfortunately some of the creators of visual styles don’t optimize their styles for TuneUp. I wish I could change their mind.
Looking for a different window Color? This one could be interesting for you: http://solmiler.deviantart.com/art/Placebo-for-Windows-7-188414149?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Acustomization%2Fskins%2Fwindows7&qo=2.
@ Arry: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/14347-tutorial-creating-a-windows-7-or-vista-visual-style/ this tutorial should help you!
Best wishes,
Sandro
TuneUp Editor in Chief
April 17, 2012 at 9:22 pm
The existing themes for Windows7 simply don’t fit my taste… Is there absolutely no way to make your own theme? I’ve been searching for a while for some steps, but no result.
May 28, 2012 at 11:35 am
Hi Arry, actually, it’s possible (yet a bit time-consuming): http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/14347-tutorial-creating-a-windows-7-or-vista-visual-style/. This should help you get started.
May 26, 2012 at 6:05 am
it always sets the theme on the standard skin. I dont know why.it happens with all the themes
May 28, 2012 at 11:43 am
Aneesh, can you tell me which Visual Style you used and what OS Version you have (7 SP1?). Thanks!
November 21, 2012 at 11:59 am
My windows changes to standard mode whenever i use tunup visual styler i’m using windows 7 ultimate and the name of the theme is Islander Tango