How to Install Custom Themes and Visual Styles in Windows

Windows has had support for themes, also known as visual styles, since Windows XP. By default, Windows will only load Microsoft-signed themes — but you can get around this fairly easily.

There’s a thriving community of theme-builders who are still creating themes for Windows 7 and 8. These aren’t your standard Windows themes — they modify the appearance of window title bars, buttons, and other visual elements.