Exploring hidden Windows 7 themes

On Mar 27, 2010

May be, Microsoft wants to customize Windows 7 for it’s regional specific customers. The reason behind why some Windows 7 themes and Wallpapers are hidden, it is. These special themes for special geographical reasons are activated when opt for regional settings during installation of Windows 7, otherwise it just stays disabled. However, you can get those hidden Windows 7 themes and more others.

Want to watch the video to unlock Windows 7 hidden themes or read below the steps.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOGfOnY18UQ[/youtube]

1. Ensure you can see the hidden files and folders on your OS (On Windows Explorer >> Organize >> Folder and search Options >> View on Folder Options >> Select Show hidden files, folders, or drives, Uncheck Hide protected Operating system files, click yes on promt )

Time to browse Windows 7 system folder and files, open this destination (assuming C: as the system drive)

C:WindowsGlobalizationMCT

You will see folders in the name with format MCT-XX (where XX is AU, CA, GB, US, or ZA) which represents globalization settings for each region. Go into the folder that you want to activate its theme.

These are for Australia, Canada, Great Britain, United States and South Africa. Note: AU, CA and ZA regions have the same themes.

Open the Theme folder inside the selected region folder.

Double click on the XX.theme file to apply the theme to the Windows 7 desktop system. Once a theme is ran and activated, the theme will be remembered and saved into Personalization options, so that user can change or select the theme again directly from Personalization settings screen.

You do have newer themes in your Windows 7 Personalization/Customization Gallery now. It’s time to hide the system files again (go to Folder Options and check that).

Download more Windows 7 themes from Windows 7 themes gallery, here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/personalize

Download as many Windows themes as you like, from the link above for free. There are many regional Windows themes as well, which are not included in hidden themes in system folders.