XP Themes Help

How To Use Xp Themes

To use XP Themes you’ll first need to install either StyleXP ($19.95) or UXTheme Multi-Patcher (free). These programs enable Windows XP to use themes other than those made by Microsoft.

UXTheme Multi-Patcher is a small download which simply allows you to install the downloaded XP themes. See How To Install UXTheme Multi-Patcher and then use the instructions below to install themes.

StyleXP is a program that offers more functionality than the UXTheme Multi-Patcher. According to the site: “Style XP can import, select, rotate, and manage themes, visual styles, wallpapers, logons, bootscreens, icons, and explorer bar.”

How to Install XP Themes

Note: These instructions assume you have already installed the UXTheme Multi-Patcher.

Once you’ve found an XP Theme that you like, download the theme and save it to My Documents or a folder where you’ll be able to find it. Open the folder you downloaded it to, and double click the file to unzip it. Then open the unzipped folder containing the theme (example below).

Double-click on the .msstyles file (or one that has an icon like the one selected in the screenshot above). This will bring up the windows Display Properties dialog:

Click OK to apply and activate the theme. If at any point you want to change back to the standard Windows theme, just go to Control Panel > Display and choose the theme you want.