How To Install The Windows 7 Mac OS X Lion Theme
Windows 7 users have a lot of personalization options right at their hands, without having to modify system files to do so.
These basic themes make a handful of modifications to the system, they change the wallpaper, sounds or cursors for instance, but leave the rest of the interface alone.
Full conversions and custom themes on the other hand require the manipulation of system files, which many users may shy away from.
This guide explains how you can install a Mac OS X Lion theme for Windows 7. Lets start with the requirements.
Patching system files
The first thing that you need to do is to download the UXTheme Patch program. It is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 and Windows 7 SP1 systems. Start the appropriate version (there is one for 32-bit and one for 64-bit systems), and click on the Patch icons to patch the three system files.
You can use the program later on again to restore the original file versions. The changes take effect after a restart of your computer.
Download CustoPack Tools
CustoPack Tools has been designed to make the installation of themes easier by installing them as packs. The Mac OS X Lion theme is such a pack, and you need this program to install it on your system.
You can download the free CustoPack Tools from the official website. There you also find additional themes in the gallery in case you are interested in those.
Make sure you pay attention to the installation dialog, as you may end up with the Ask Toolbar otherwise. If you do, check out how to remove the Ask Toolbar here.
Download the Mac OS X Lion theme
Please note that you need to have a full Aero theme running before you can install the Mac theme on Windows 7. While the installation will complete just fine if you do not, you will end up with only half of the theme installed.
Now that you have installed all the prerequisites, you can install the Mac OS X Lion theme for Windows 7. Download it from its Deviant art project page and extract it to a directory on your computer. Switch to the themes Setup folder and start the installation by executing the Mac OSX Lion Inspirat (Transformation Pack).exe file.
You will notice that the CustoPack interface is now loaded. The author suggests you select the full installation, but you can theoretically block parts of the conversion from being installed. If you do not like Rocketdock for instance, you can block the installation quite easily in this step. For a total conversion, you should install all theme components though.
Just follow the instructions to install the OS X theme on your system. Please note that you need to make a final restart after the installation before you will see the theme in all of its glory on your computer.
Screenshots and video
Here is how it looks like once it has been installed completely:
Uninstallation
You repeat the same process, only backwards. Start CustoPack (for instance from the start menu), and select the Choose a CustoPack option in the main interface. Select Default Windows theme there by hovering your mouse over the theme and selecting the restore option that is displayed afterwards. Uninstallation may take a while, and you will have to restart your computer to finalize it.
The second thing that you need to do after your computer reboots is to restore the patched system files. Start the UXtheme patcher file again and select the restore option this time.
here you can download new version: http://skinpacks.com/download/windows-7/mavericks-skin-pack/
Hi Martin,
I have installed Mac OSX Lion Inspirat from CustoPack but with out installing UXThem patch. What is the difference If I had installed it before? Is it necessary for the CustoPack?
While I can’t say it for sure, are not the CustoPacks including patched dlls as well? If everything works out, I would not worry about it.
I Installed Lion theme pack and was wise enough to make a system image befoer doing so, just as well because I needed it to restore my PC after trying to uninstall this theme pack. It wont uninstall and when you try doing a system restore you get strange executive files asking for permission to do who knows what. So if your going to do this, then backup files and make a system restore image as you will need it to fix your PC afterwards. Don’t think I would do it again.
nice keep it up
CustoPack Tools is the Safest Way to Use many Themes from their Websites to patch Our Windows if you really one to replace your Native Windows Themes.
I had used this tool since long time ago & find it is really easy and error-free compare to many other tools released from Customization Geeks.
Pretty cool and good to know for those that want to do it. For me trying to make one OS look like another OS is like wearing a replica watch or one of those knock off watches that is supposed to look like some popular high end watch (like a Seiko that is styled like a Rolex Submariner).
It looks cool to you and to some other people, but to everyone else it just looks try hard.
Last year I patched Windows 7 to use custom themes so I could use the Zune theme (http://nullz0rz.deviantart.com/art/windows-7-zune-theme-141083905).
Funny thing is, at a certain point, it would not let me log in.
Luckily, I had a second account, so I logged in with it and deleted the Zune theme. Just like that I was able to log in again.
Thinking it was an one time thing, I tried to use the Zune theme again and, after a while, the same thing happened again.
I’m not saying it was made to do like that on purpose, but it’s very weird.
Any thoughts?
I have tried these before. It does not uninstall completely and the only option is to reinstall windows.
As a fellow user I warn others about deviant art nasties.
I agree it will not uninstall and also would not allow system restore. I used a system image to restore mine, easier and quicker than installing windows again. Mess with your registry at your peril.
This one uninstalls just fine, I tried it on a 64-bit edition of Windows 7.
does this install for all users or just 1?
I think it installs only for the active user.
Very clear guide of installing Mac theme on Win 7.
I personally dont admire it but I am sure my friends would love it.
Good to know about the How To Install The Windows 7 Mac OS X Lion Theme