Styling Windows 7: How to Change the Visual Style

There’s no doubt about it—Windows 7 is the most beautiful-looking, Microsoft operating system yet. There are endless possibilities—including icons and backgrounds—for styling Windows 7. Let’s start off with a simple ‘how to’ guide for changing the entire user interface of the operating system.




There are easy ways to make Windows 7 even better, sleeker, and richer looking. What about giving it a more translucent and “glowing” interface?
Or, what about applying a theme similar to Apple’s Snow Leopard?
We’ve downloaded and tested more than 50 alternative visual styles and compiled a list of our five favorites for readers.

Changing the Visual Style

Microsoft officially does not like users to change the look and feel of Windows; by default, third-party themes, such as the two images above, are not allowed. But, no sweat! We’ve got you covered, with a safe way to change the default, Windows Aero design to basically anything you like.

1. All you need is TuneUp Styler. (As a reminder, this is part of TuneUp Utilities, which you can try for 15 days.) Install the program, and click on “Visual Style” in the “Customize Windows” category.
   
2. Click on the “Add” button. You should now have two choices—select one of the visual styles from TuneUp’s Web site, or a third-party visual style by clicking on “Load visual style from a file”.
   
3. If you like the way the new visual style looks (click on “Show large preview”), then hit “Apply”. After a moment, you will see the new visual style. (Note: If you don’t like the new design, click on “Restore defaults” and “Apply” to return to the Windows Aero style.)

Our favorites: the top five visual styles

Since the release of Windows 7, hundreds of third-party visual styles have popped up all over the Internet. We’ve gathered the best of the best (many from the popular DeviantArt Web site), and here are five designs we love (and think you will too).
Glow Air for Windows 7


Gaia09

Snow Leopard


AeroVG


DarkClear 7


Note: Be aware that, in some cases, you will need to extract the downloaded files using a program like WinRAR. Inside the archive, you will need to add the “Windows Theme File” with TuneUp Styler.
We also suggest you move them away from your download folder (such as the desktop or Documents) to a more secluded folder, such as Program Files, so that the styles are not accidentally deleted.