- Themes group background, colors, sounds, and cursor for a consistent visual experience.
- From Settings you can easily apply, download, save, share, and delete themes.
- The Microsoft Store is the safest source; third-party themes require caution.
- Accessibility with contrast themes and color filters for more comfortable viewing.
Customize the appearance of Windows 11 It is fast and very grateful, and themes are the most straightforward way to bulk-change your wallpaper, system colors, sounds, and even your mouse pointer. In this guide, you'll learn, step by step, how to install new themes, apply them, and combine them with your preferences so your desktop looks just the way you like it.
In addition to applying the pre-installed themes, you can download many more from the Microsoft Store, save them for reuse, export them to share with others, and delete them when you no longer need them. We'll also tell you how to cautiously enable third-party themes and what accessibility options they offer. Windows 11 to adapt colors and contrasts.
What exactly is a theme in Windows 11?
A Windows theme is a customization package which groups several visual and audio elements: desktop backgrounds, color palette for windows and menus, set of system sounds, and mouse cursor configuration. All this creates a coherent visual identity. that can make working or playing on your PC more enjoyable.
Windows 11 includes several default themes which differ, above all, in their backgrounds and interaction with light or dark mode. You will find variations for all tastes, and some include collections of desktop images that rotate automatically.
There is even a dynamic content theme that regularly downloads new backgrounds so your desktop always looks different without you having to configure anything else. If you like to change your background often, this will be great for you..
How to apply a theme in Windows 11
Applying a theme is a very simple process that starts from the Settings app.You can open it by pressing the Windows key + I combination or by clicking the Start button and searching for Settings.
In the left side panel, go to Personalization and then choose the Themes option to access all the options related to the appearance of the system.
In the "Current Theme" section you can change the theme with a single click. on any of the pre-installed ones. You will see that elements such as the background, the taskbar, the colors change immediately. and, depending on the topic, the sounds and the cursor.
If you want to go piece by piece, you can also customize each component. (Background, Color, Sounds and Mouse Cursor) independently and, if you like the combination, turn it into your own saved theme.
Download more themes from the Microsoft Store
When the default themes fall short, it's time to visit the Microsoft Store. From Settings > Personalization > Themes, tap Browse Themes to open the store in the themes section.
The store displays a gallery with free and paid themes, each with its own profile, ratings and details. Scroll down to find one that suits your style and click Get or the buy button if it's paid..
If you are not signed in with your Microsoft account, the store will ask for your credentials. to associate the download with your library. This step is required to install and keep your themes synced with your account..
During the download, you will see the status on the button itself.; when completed, the button will change to Open. You can tap it to return to Settings, where the theme will be available for one-click application..
Customize a theme to your liking
The magic is in adjusting the details. Under Settings > Personalization > Themes you'll find shortcuts to Background, Color, Sounds, and Mouse Cursor. Each section lets you fine-tune the topic your way..
- Background: Choose a still image, a slideshow with multiple photos, or a solid color. If the theme includes multiple backgrounds, you can decide how often they change and how they fit on screen..
- Colour: Switch between light and dark mode, or let Windows choose automatically. Adjust the accent color and decide where to apply it (title bar, task bar, etc.).
- Sounds: Change the system sound scheme or disable it if you prefer silence. Some themes come with their own set for a more immersive experience..
- Mouse cursor: Select different pointer styles and sizes, which is useful for both aesthetics and accessibility if you need greater visibility.
Save your custom theme
When you find the perfect combination, it is a good idea to save it. to retrieve it at any time. This saves you from having to repeat settings if you change themes or equipment..
- Open Settings > Personalization > Themes to view the current theme and save options.
- Press Save, give it a recognizable name and confirm. Your new theme will be listed alongside the rest..
This save captures all changes that you have done in background, colors, sounds and cursor. If you tweak something later, you can save it again with a different name to create variants..
Share a topic with other people
Sharing your settings is as simple as exporting the theme.. Windows packages the elements into a .deskthemepack file that anyone can install with a double-click.
- In Settings > Personalization > Themes, locate the saved topic you want to share.
- Right click on it and choose Save Theme to Share. A file with the extension .deskthemepack will be generated that you can send by email, upload to the cloud or copy to a USB.
When opening the .deskthemepack on another Windows PC, the theme will be installed automatically and will be available to apply from the same Themes section.
Delete themes you no longer use
If you accumulate too many topics or want to clean up, you can delete the ones you don't use in a few seconds from the same settings panel.
- Go to Settings > Personalization > Themes to view the installed catalog.
- Right-click on the topic you want to delete and select Delete. It will disappear from the list and free up space..
It is not possible to delete the theme that is in use, so if you want to remove it first apply another one, and then try again to remove the previous one.
Accessibility: Contrast Themes and Color Filters
Windows 11 includes powerful accessibility tools so that everyone can work comfortably, especially those with vision difficulties or specific needs.
Contrast themes: High-contrast combinations that enhance text and interface elements. You can choose from several styles and customize colors to suit your preferences or needs..
Color filters: transform the on-screen palette to help distinguish elements that only differ by color. They are useful, for example, for color blindness or sensitivity to certain tones..
These options are managed from Settings > Accessibility, and they coexist without problems with desktop themes, so You can combine them until you find the perfect balance..
More sources for downloading themes: official and third-party options
The recommended and safest way to get themes is the Microsoft Store, where you'll find a wide range of free and paid content, with reviews and regular updates.
There are also third-party sources that offer unofficial themes., such as DeviantArt, themepack.me or skinpacks.com. This is where the pros and cons come in.: The variety is enormous, but extreme caution must be taken to avoid content of dubious origin.
For Windows 11 to accept unsigned third-party themes It is often necessary to use tools such as UltraUXThemePatcher, which modifies system components to allow its application.
After installing the patch, custom themes are usually placed in the folder C:\Windows\Resources\Themes. From there, Windows will recognize them and display them in the Themes section so you can apply them..
Detailed steps: from zero to a stylish desktop
If you want a short and direct guide, here is the complete tour to go from a freshly installed Windows 11 to a fully customized environment with themes.
- Open Settings: Press Windows + I or use the Start menu.
- Go to Personalization > Themes: You will see the “Current Theme” and the rest of the available ones.
- Apply a pre-installed theme: Click on one to activate it instantly.
- Explore more topics: Tap Browse Themes to open the Microsoft Store.
- Download and install: Sign in if prompted, tap Get, and wait for the button to display Open.
- Apply the new theme: Go back to Settings; the theme will now be ready to select.
- adjust details: Go to Background, Color, Sounds and Mouse Cursor to fine-tune the aesthetics.
- Save your combination: From Themes, press Save and give it a name.
- Share (optional): Right click on your saved theme > Save Theme to Share (.deskthemepack).
- Eliminate the excess: Right click on the unwanted theme > Delete.
If you can't find something, try typing "Themes and related settings" in the search box. from the Start menu to go directly to the appropriate panel.
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