Theme - Save in Windows 8

How to Save a Theme in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
In Windows, you can use themes to help make your desktop feel a little more like your own. A theme is a combination of the desktop background, window color, sounds, screen saver, and mouse pointers that changes them all at once, and you can switch between themes as often as you like.

This tutorial will show you how to save a theme as a .theme file to be able to switch between themes as you like, and how to save a theme as a .deskthemepack file to be able to share themes with friends and family.

Note   Note
Windows Theme File - These are created themes saved as a .theme file to be able to switch between (change) themes as you like under My Themes in Personalization. These are saved in the hidden folder location below.
  • C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes
Desktop Theme Pack - These are created themes saved as a .deskthemepack file to be able to share themes with friends and family. These are saved where you saved them at. This was saved as a .themepack file instead in Windows 7.
  • You can use both .deskthemepack and .themepack files to install a theme in Windows 8.
  • You can only use a .themepack file to install a theme in Windows 7.
  • When installed (doubled clicked on), it will be saved as a .theme file in a folder (named with first 9 characters of name) in the hidden folder location above.

Tip   Tip
For free themes from Microsoft, see: Themes - Microsoft Windows



Here's How:

1. If you have not already, you should create a theme for what you like first.

2. Do step 3, 4, or 5 below for how you would like to open Personalization.

3. While on the desktop, open the Charms bar, click/tap on the Settings charm, click/tap on Personalization, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could also press the Windows + I keys for this as well.
Settings-Charm.jpg

4. Right click on (press and hold with touchscreen) an empty area of your desktop, click/tap on Personalize, and go to step 6 below.

5. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Personalization icon, and go to step 6 below.

6. Click\tap on a theme (ex: Unsaved Theme) that you would like to save, right click on it (press and hold with touchscreen) , then do step 7 or 8 below for how you would like to save it. (see screenshot below)
Save-1.jpg

7. To Save Theme as a .theme File in "My Themes"
A) Click/tap on Save theme. (see screenshot below step 6)​
B) Type in a name for the theme, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)​
Save-2.jpg
C) You will now see that theme under My Themes in Personalization. (see screenshot below)​
Save-3.jpg

8. To Save Theme as a ".deskthemepack" File in for Sharing
A) Click/tap on Save theme for sharing. (see screenshot below step 6)​
B) Navigate to the folder location that you want to save the .deskthemepack file to, type in a name for the theme, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)​
Share.jpg
C) You can now share the .deskthemepack file to whom you like that has Windows 8. They will only need to double click/tap on it to install the theme under My Themes in Personalization.​
deskthemepack.jpg

9. When finished you can close Personalization if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


 

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Last edited:
hi, i dont have C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes folder,

where are the current themes saved?? they are not in the same location as windows 7 ... ?

-------------

nvm i just realized there are no pre installed themes as in windwos 7 lol
:eek:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I7 3770

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
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    Hard Drives
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    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
lol thanks. would it be better to save them there or on the other folder ?? i just saved a lot from windows 7 but i dont know how to install them. Werent the wallpapers and themes in the same folder ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I7 3770
If you mean the regional themes from here in W7, then you could just create a MCT folder in the C:\Windows\Globalization folder, and copy the downloaded and extracted say MCT-AU folder into the MCT folder.

It will then be available under "My Themes" in Personalization in Windows 8.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
You're welcome. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Saving themes

I have read the tutorial but when I try to save a theme (win 8.1)the focus moves back to 'unsaved themes' and does not save. I have tried to save the 3d text screen saver but each time I select the uk theme and try to add the screensaver it shifts back to unsaved theme. Help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
Hello Bill, and welcome to Eight Forums.

No worries, this is normal.

Anytime you make any changes to a theme, your current theme would then be considered an "Unsaved Theme". You would have to save the theme again after any changes to have that new theme saved.

It's best to make all the changes you want to your theme first, then save the theme.

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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