Update 8/7/2010: We have released a Windows 7 theme installer that allows you to install Windows 7 shell themes quite easily. If you are annoyed by installing Windows 7 themes manually, you can check out the Windows 7 theme installerhere.
Theme Patcher (Required)
Before you start thinking about installing Windows 7 shell themes, you have to make sure that your Windows 7 is capable of installing 3rd-party themes. By default, Windows 7 does not allow 3rd-party themes!
Download Universal Theme Patcher.
This patcher will automatically patch the following files on Windows 7: uxtheme.dll, themeui.dll, themeservice.dll that allow you to install shell themes.
General Info: Windows 7 SysWOW64 Folder
Windows 7 themes often include system files for Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit. If you are on Windows 7 64-bit you will often need both! Because Windows 7 64-bit can emulate 32-bit you will need 32-bit files as well or how do you thought was it possible to run 32-bit software on Windows 7 64-bit?
Important: SysWOW64 is the 32-bit folder of Windows 7 64-bit. All 32-bit files have to be copied here, but only if the theme actually requires it (not all of them require it).
List of some possible theme files and explanation
Most themes include the following files:
- explorer.exe (this includes for example the Start orb)
- explorerframe.exe (this file includes the forward/back navigation buttons)
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