How do i install a theme in win xp home?

i download a couple themes, but i have no idea how to install i click the file.theme and file.msstyle and they didn't really do anything.. one change the color but the bar were windows 98 like.

 

There are a couple of ways to add non-MS themes to Windows:
1.) Use: nw_uxpatcher.zip ( 829.41k )
Found here: http://themes.belchfire.net/index.php?showtopic=8767
That patches your uxtheme.dll file to allow the loading of unsigned Windows XP Themes and XP Visual Styles.
Or,
2.) Dnld a (paid vers.) second party proggie, that does the same thing, such as:
StyleXP, StarSkin, Plus! for Windows XP, WindowsBlinds, etc.
http://www.tgtsoft.com/
http://www.rocketdivision.com/skin.html
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/plus/windowsxp/default.asp
http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/

Note: Using StyleXP, requests you use ThemeXP for themes, but others will work.
I use StyleXP, but do not agree with ThemeXP's adding hidden installers to their themes, (such as: HomePage changes, Toolbars (Accoona specifically), etc.) These can be removed after installing the theme, but it's a hassle I choose not to subject myself to anymore. So find other places for themes, to avoid this.
Good Luck
http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/3295/desktop6ya.jpg

 

Have a look here and here.

 

Read the associated link but would love clarification on how after patching this theme, you can get the functionality of these unsigned themes. I understand about copying the styles folders to the Windows/resorces/themes folder. But then, do you just access them through Desktop properties? I am not using any third party app. What functionality will I be missing with these themes if I am not using any third party app.

Thanks.

Gary

 

thanks.. the patched worked perfectly!

huntnyc, you can just double click the file.msstyles for the theme to come up and it will load, or add them to the theme folder for better view.. as of functionability their wont be 3rd party bloat slowing down the machine lol.

big, thats a nice list of themes.. i got my themes from http://www.getskinned.org/modules.php?modname=subs&action=showsubs&type=1