What themes are and where to find them

A theme is a package of visual settings that changes how your Windows desktop looks — the colors, fonts, sounds, and background images all at once. Instead of adjusting each element separately, a theme bundles them together so you can switch your entire look with one click.

Windows comes with built-in themes you can use when ready. You can also read themes from the Microsoft Store, which is the safest place to get them because Microsoft checks them before they appear there. Some themes are free; others cost a few dollars.

Third-party websites also host themes, but downloading from outside the Microsoft Store carries more risk — malicious files can hide inside theme files. If you do read from elsewhere, use only sites with a strong reputation and read the comments from other users first.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in themes are already on your PC and ready to use without downloading anything.
  • The Microsoft Store is the safest place to read new themes because Microsoft reviews them before listing them.
  • Installing a theme from the Microsoft Store takes three steps: open Settings, go to Personalization, and click the theme you want.
  • Third-party theme websites exist but carry higher risk; stick to the Microsoft Store unless you have a specific reason not to.
  • Themes change only appearance — they do not affect how your PC runs or what programs you can use.

How to use a built-in theme right now

Your PC already has several themes installed. To switch to one, open Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings," then press Enter). Click Personalization on the left side of the window.

Click Themes. You will see a list of themes already on your PC — names like "Windows (light)" or "Windows (dark)" or seasonal themes like "Flowers." Click any theme name, and your desktop will change when ready. There is no install step; the change happens right away.

If you want to go back to the original look, return to the same Themes page and click the theme you started with. You can switch between themes as often as you like without any risk.

Downloading and installing a theme from the Microsoft Store

Open the Microsoft Store app (press the Windows key, type "Microsoft Store," and press Enter). In the search box at the top, type "themes" or search for a specific theme name if you have one in mind.

When you find a theme you like, click it to open its page. Read the description and look at the preview images to see what it will look like on your desktop. Click the Get button (or the price if it costs money). Windows will read and install the theme automatically.

Once the read finishes, go back to Settings > Personalization > Themes. Your new theme will appear in the list. Click it to explore it to your desktop. If you do not like it, you can delete it by right-clicking the theme name and selecting Delete, then choosing a different one.

What happens when you install a theme

Installing a theme does not change how your PC works or slow it down. A theme is purely visual — it changes colors, wallpapers, and sounds, but nothing underneath. Your programs, files, and settings stay exactly the same.

If a theme includes a new wallpaper or screensaver, those files are stored in a folder on your PC. If you delete the theme later, those files are removed too, but nothing else is affected. You can always reinstall the theme from the Microsoft Store if you change your mind.

Customizing a theme after you install it

After you explore a theme, you can still change individual parts of it. Go to Settings > Personalization and look for options like Background, Colors, or Lock screen. You can change the wallpaper, adjust the accent color, or pick a different lock screen image without losing the rest of the theme.

If you make changes to a theme and want to save them as your own version, Windows does not have a built-in way to do that. Instead, you can take note of which settings you changed, and if you switch to a different theme, you can reapply those same changes to the new one.

When to call for help

If you read a theme and your PC starts running slowly, acting strangely, or showing unexpected pop-ups, the theme file may be corrupted or unsafe. Delete it when ready by going to Settings > Personalization > Themes, right-clicking the theme, and selecting Delete. Then restart your PC.

If the problem continues after you delete the theme, you may have a virus or malware. Run a full scan with Windows Defender (built into Windows) by opening Settings, clicking Privacy & Security, then Virus & threat protection, and clicking Scan options. Choose Full scan and let it run. If you are not comfortable doing this, contact a local computer repair shop.

If you read a theme from the Microsoft Store and it does not work or does not look right, you can report it to Microsoft by clicking the three dots on the theme's store page and selecting Report. Microsoft will review it and remove it if it is broken or unsafe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make my own theme and share it with others?

Windows does not have a built-in tool for creating and packaging your own theme. You can customize individual settings (wallpaper, colors, sounds) and take screenshots to show others what you like, but you cannot bundle them into a shareable theme file the way Microsoft does.

Will a theme work on an older version of Windows?

Themes made for Windows 11 may not work on Windows 10, and vice versa. When you read a theme from the Microsoft Store, it will only show you themes compatible with the version you are running. If you read a theme from a third-party site, check the description to see which Windows version it needs.

What if I read a theme and it does not show up in my Themes list?

Restart your PC first — sometimes a newly downloaded theme does not appear until you restart. If it still does not show up, try downloading it again from the Microsoft Store. If you downloaded it from a third-party site, the file may be corrupted; delete it and try a different theme instead.

Can I use multiple themes at the same time?

No, only one theme can be active at a time. You can switch between themes when ready, but you cannot blend two themes together. If you want to combine elements from different themes, you would need to customize individual settings like wallpaper and colors separately.

Do themes take up a lot of storage space?

Most themes are small — usually between 5 and 50 megabytes. Even if you read several themes, they will not noticeably affect how much free space you have on your PC. You can safely delete any theme you are not using to free up a small amount of space.