How to Switch Between Themes in Windows 8 and 8.1
InformationIn 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.
If you are using a Microsoft account and have the Desktop personalize setting turned on to sync, then the theme you currently have set will also be displayed on any PC that you sign in to with the same Microsoft account.
This tutorial will show you how to switch between themes as often you like in your user account in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
If you are using a Microsoft account and have the Desktop personalize setting turned on to sync, then the theme you currently have set will also be displayed on any PC that you sign in to with the same Microsoft account.
This tutorial will show you how to switch between themes as often you like in your user account in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
NoteTypes of Themes:
- My Themes - Themes that you've created, made changes to, saved (.theme file), or downloaded (.deskthemepack or .themepack files). Any time you change a theme, the new settings appear here as an unsaved theme. These themese are located in the hidden folder location below.
- C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes
- Windows Default Themes - The default themes included with Windows 8 that you can use to personalize your PC. These themes are located in the folder below.
- C:\Windows\Resources\Themes
- Installed Themes - Themes that were created by your PC manufacturer (OEM) or other non-Microsoft providers.
- High Contrast Themes - Themes that help improve your PC's performance or make items on your screen easier to see. These themes are located in the folder below.
- C:\Windows\Resources\Ease of Access Themes
TipHere's How:
1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for how you would like to open Personalization.
2. While on the desktop, open the Charms bar, click on the Settings charm, and click/tap on Personalization. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could also press the Windows + I keys for this as well.
A) Go to step 5 below.
3. Right click on (press and hold with touchscreen) a empty area of your desktop, and click/tap on Personalize.
A) Go to step 5 below.
4. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Personalization icon.
A) Go to step 5 below.
5. Click\tap on an available theme that you would like to switch to. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you have a saved or downloaded .deskthemepack or .themepack file for a theme, then you can double click\tap on it to install and switch to that theme. You can click on the Get more themes online link to download free themes from Microsoft.
6. 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 Save a Theme in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Delete a Theme in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Create a "Personalization" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8
- Add or Remove "Personalize" from Desktop Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8
- Add or Remove Expanding "Personalize" Desktop Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8
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