Theme - Save in Windows 8

How to Save a Theme in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   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

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

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.

​

​

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)

​

​

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)​

​

​

​

C) You will now see that theme under My Themes in Personalization. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

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)​

​

​

​

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.​

​

​

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


That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a Theme in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Switch Between Themes in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Delete a Theme in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change Your Desktop Background and Slide Show in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change Color of Window Borders and Taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[qwetymikey]

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

 

[Brink]

Hello Mikey,

Sure Windows 8 does. The default themes are in the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes folder instead.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6535-themes-switch-between-windows-8-a.html

 

[qwetymikey]

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 ?

 

[Brink]

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.

 

[qwetymikey]

yea, thanks i was thinking about that

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.

 

[billbrooks]

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!

 

[Brink]

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