Multi Tricks: technology

How to Record and Edit Slow Motion Videos on Your iPhone

<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346243" height="300" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-record-and-edit-slow-motion-videos-on-your-iphone.png" width="650" />
Slow motion video recording is one of the coolest features on the iPhone. Here’s how to use it.
The camera in the latest iPhones (and <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/326219/how-much-better-is-the-iphone-xs-camera/">especially the iPhone X</a>) is incredibly good. For slow motion video recording, it’s actually significantly better than many DSLRs.
On the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X, you can record 1080p video at either 120 or 240 fps. On the iPhone 7, you get 1080p at 120 fps and 720p at 240 fps. To select which setting you want to use, go to Settings > Camera > Record Slo-mo.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346234" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-record-and-edit-slow-motion-videos-on-your-iphone-1.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346235" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-record-and-edit-slow-motion-videos-on-your-iphone-2.png" width="325" />
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<h2>Recording Slo-Mo Videos</h2>
Open your iPhone’s camera app and select Slo-Mo from the selector. You can also just swipe right twice. Slo-mo only works with the rear camera, so sadly you can’t start planning dramatic slow motion selfie videos.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346236" height="366" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-record-and-edit-slow-motion-videos-on-your-iphone-3.png" width="650" />
RELATED: <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/191264/how-to-free-up-space-on-an-iphone-or-ipad/">How to Free Up Space on an iPhone or iPad</a>
Recording slo-mo works like recording any regular video. Just tap the record button and point your phone at the subject to start; when you’re done, tap the record button again.
One thing to note is that slow motion videos take up a lot of space (in the region of 300MB to 500MB per minute of video). If you’re <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/191264/how-to-free-up-space-on-an-iphone-or-ipad/">low on storage space</a>, you should make sure not to record in slo-mo for too long. Similarly, you should only really use slo-mo to record things that need it.
<h2>Editing Slo-Mo Videos</h2>
By default, when you record a slo-mo video, the start of the video is regular speed, the middle of the video is in slow motion, and the end returns back to regular speed. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and the default video will perfectly capture what you want, but most of the time you’ll need to edit it.
Find the slo-mo video you want to edit in the Photos app and then tap the “Edit” option at the top right.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346237" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-record-and-edit-slow-motion-videos-on-your-iphone-4.png" width="325" />
Let’s break down the editor interface. At the top you’ve got the Video Preview (1). Beneath it, you’ve got the Slow Motion Timeline (2), and the Video Timeline (3). You’ve also got the Cancel, Play, and Done buttons along the bottom.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346241" height="366" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-record-and-edit-slow-motion-videos-on-your-iphone-5.png" width="650" />
The Slow Motion Timeline controls which bits of the video are in regular speed and which are in slow motion. The area of the timeline where the tick marks are close together (at the outer edges in the image above) are where it’s in regular speed; the widely spaced tick marks indicate slow motion.
To adjust which sections of the video are in slow motion, tap and drag on the small handles between the regular and slo-mo areas. Use the video preview to dial things in until you’re happy.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346238" height="366" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-record-and-edit-slow-motion-videos-on-your-iphone-6.png" width="650" />
Quite often, when you record a slo-mo video, you’ll end up with areas at the start or end that you don’t want. This is where the Video Timeline comes in. Tap and drag at either edge to shorten the clip from the start or end. Again, use the preview to make sure things are as you want them.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346239" height="366" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-record-and-edit-slow-motion-videos-on-your-iphone-7.png" width="650" />
When you’ve got the slow motion effect the way you want it, tap the “Done” button, and then the “Save as New Clip” button to save your edited version back to your Camera Roll.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346242" height="366" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-record-and-edit-slow-motion-videos-on-your-iphone-8.png" width="650" />
The edited version becomes a new video, and does not replace the original.
<h2>Going Further</h2>
The iOS Photos app is great for making simple edits, but if you want more control over how slow the slow motion is (or want to have more than one section of the video appear in slow motion), you need to use a third-party app.
We love <a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/slow-fast-slow-control-the-speed-of-your-videos/id727309825?mt=8&at=1010loXs&ct=346233">Slow Fast Slow</a>, which is a totally free app, unsupported by ads. The apps developers, <a href="https://www.studioneat.com">Studio Neat</a> also sell physical products and use the app as a promotional tool.
With Slow Fast Slow, you use a waveform to adjust the speed of the video. Anywhere the wave is above the center line, the video moves faster than normal. Anywhere it’s below that line, the video moves slower. Tap and drag each point to adjust them or long tap on the line to add a new point.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346240" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-record-and-edit-slow-motion-videos-on-your-iphone-9.png" width="325" />
If you want a bit more control over your slo-mo videos, Slow Fast Slow is the way to go.
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How to Record and Edit Slow Motion Videos on Your iPhone

Slow motion video recording is one of the coolest features on the iPhone. Here’s how to use it. The camera in the latest iPhones (and espe...

How to Use Spotify on Your Sonos Speaker

<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346595" height="300" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker.png" width="650" />
Spotify is the most popular music streaming service in the world and Sonos is one of the top brands of smart speakers. Here’s how to get them to work together.
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<h2>Getting Ready</h2>
RELATED: <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/248309/how-to-set-up-a-new-sonos-speaker/">How to Set Up a New Sonos Speaker</a>
To use Spotify on your Sonos speaker you need:
We’re going to demonstrate all this with an iPhone and a <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B074XLMYY5?tag=823814-20">Sonos One</a>, but the process should be very similar on Android.
<h2>Setting Up a Spotify Account on Your Sonos</h2>
Open the Sonos Controller app on your smartphone, tap the “More” option, and then tap the “Add Music Services” entry. From the list of services, choose Spotify.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346582" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-1.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346583" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-2.png" width="325" />
On the Add Service page, tap the “Add to Sonos” button, and then tap the “Connect to Spotify” button on the next screen.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346584" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-3.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346585" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-4.png" width="325" />
The Spotify app opens on your phone and passes your login details to the Sonos app. After a few seconds, the Sonos app opens back up again, and you can type a name for your Spotify account. Note that this name will only be put into use if you add additional Spotify accounts to the Sonos app. Name your account, and then tap the “Done” button.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346586" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-5.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346587" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-6.png" width="325" />
And just like that, you’ve got Spotify set up on your Sonos. To set up another Spotify account, just follow the same steps above.
<h2>Controlling Spotify on Your Sonos</h2>
There are two ways to control Spotify on your Sonos: from the Sonos Controller app and directly from the Spotify app.
<h3>From the Sonos Controller App</h3>
RELATED: <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/307841/five-awesome-spotify-features-for-crafting-perfect-playlists/">Five Awesome Spotify Features for Crafting Perfect Playlists</a>
Open the Sonos Controller app, select the “Browse” option and then select your Spotify account. From here you can select any music you’ve saved in Spotify, including <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/307841/five-awesome-spotify-features-for-crafting-perfect-playlists/">the playlists you’ve made</a> by going to Your Music. You can also use the other options to play music from Spotify’s own playlists and the top songs at the moment.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346588" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-7.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346589" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-8.png" width="325" />
You can also use the “Search” tab to find any song, artist, or album you want. Spotify’s search is universal, so it lists all the locations an artist is available.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346590" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-9.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346591" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-10.png" width="325" />
<h3>From the Spotify App</h3>
The Sonos Controller app is functional, but not very well tailored to Spotify. The best way to control Spotify on your Sonos is actually through the regular Spotify app.
Open the Spotify app and select the song, artist, or playlist you want to hear. Tap “Devices Available” to see a list of all the devices currently connected to your Spotify account. You can see one option for me is named “Kitchen.” This is the Sonos device I just set up.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346592" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-11.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346593" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-12.png" width="325" />
Select your Sonos from the list and whatever you were listening to on Spotify starts to play on it.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346594" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-use-spotify-on-your-sonos-speaker-13.png" width="325" />
Now you can just use the Spotify app as normal but, instead of music playing on your phone, it plays through your Sonos.
<hr />
The Sonos Controller app is great for setting up your Sonos, but it’s not an ideal controller. It just has to work with too many different services to be great for any one of them. Fortunately, it’s easy to directly control your Sonos from the much better Spotify app.
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How to Use Spotify on Your Sonos Speaker

Spotify is the most popular music streaming service in the world and Sonos is one of the top brands of smart speakers. Here’s how to get th...

How to Listen to Audible Audiobooks on Your Sonos

<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346716" height="300" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos.png" width="650" />
Audible, Amazon’s subscription audiobook service, was conspicuously absent from Sonos for the last few years. Thankfully, it’s now back. Here’s how to use it.
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<h2>Getting Ready</h2>
To set up on your Sonos speaker you need:
I’m demonstrating everything this with an iPhone and a <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B074XLMYY5?tag=823814-20">Sonos One</a>, but the process is pretty much the same on Android and with other Sonos speakers.
RELATED: <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/248309/how-to-set-up-a-new-sonos-speaker/">How to Set Up a New Sonos Speaker</a>
<h2>Setting Up Audible on Your Sonos</h2>
Open the Sonos Controller app, tap the “More” entry, and then tap the “Add Music Services” option. On the Add Music Services page, select “Audible” from the list
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346703" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-1.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346704" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-2.png" width="325" />
On the Add Service page, tap the “Add to Sonos” button. If you’ve already got an account, tap the “I Already Have an Account” button. Otherwise, tap “Try Audible Free” to sign up for a trial.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346705" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-3.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346706" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-4.png" width="325" />
On the next page, tap the “Authorize” button. Your web browser will open, and you’ll be prompted to sign in to your Amazon account.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346707" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-5.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346708" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-6.png" width="325" />
Next, click “I Agree” to authorize your Sonos to access your Audible books.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346709" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-7.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346710" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-8.png" width="325" />
Switch back to the Sonos Controller app, give the Audible account a name (so other people can also add their accounts), and then tap the “Done” button.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346711" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-9.png" width="325" />
Now Audible is ready to use on your Sonos.
<h2>Using Audible on Your Sonos</h2>
Open the Sonos Controller app, head to the Browse page, and then select Audible. On the Audible page, you’ll see a list of all the audiobooks in your Library.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346712" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-10.png" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346713" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-11.png" width="325" />
Select the audiobook to which you want to listen and it starts playing. If you’ve already been listening to the audiobook, it continues from where you last listened.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346714" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-12.png" width="325" />
Similarly, the next time you go to listen to the audiobook using the Audible app, it will prompt to continue from where you left off listening on your Sonos.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346715" height="578" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-on-your-sonos-13.png" width="325" />
<hr />
The best thing about a Sonos is how easy it is to listen to different audio sources. Audible was a major gap, and it’s good to see it back.
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How to Listen to Audible Audiobooks on Your Sonos

Audible, Amazon’s subscription audiobook service, was conspicuously absent from Sonos for the last few years. Thankfully, it’s now back. He...

Samsung’s Bixby Sucks. Here’s How to Turn it Off.

<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346539" height="300" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/samsungs-bixby-sucks-heres-how-to-turn-it-off.jpg" width="650" />
If you use Android, you probably use the Google Assistant. If you’re a Galaxy user, Samsung’s own Bixby can get in the way—especially with the Bixby button on the S8, S9, and Note 8. But there’s good news: it’s easy to turn off.
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<h2>So, Why Is it Bad?</h2>
The thing with Bixby is that it’s not really horrible—it’s just unnecessary. Anything Bixby can do, Assistant can do better. Bixby Vision was arguably <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/328582/what-can-you-do-with-samsungs-bixby/">its most useful feature</a>, but with the rise of <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/307875/whats-new-in-android-o/#lens">Google Lens</a>, even that isn’t so useful anymore. Sorry, Samsung.
But redundancy isn’t even the most annoying part of Bixby. It’s that stupid Bixby button that Samsung just had to throw on the side of the S8, S9, and Note 8. It’s a constant thorn in Galaxy users’ sides, mostly because it’s just too easy to mistake for the volume rocker.
Even if you’re kind of into Bixby (or at least want to give it a go before you decide to get rid of it altogether), you can continue to use it and just disable the button itself. So at least there’s that. We’ll cover all the details down below.
<h2>How to Disable the Bixby Button</h2>
In order to completely disable the Bixby button, you have to a least press it once, and then set up Bixby. Counter-intuitive to the endgame here, but that’s how it is.
RELATED: <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/317295/how-to-remap-the-galaxy-s8s-bixby-button-without-rooting/">How to Remap the Bixby Button (Without Rooting)</a>
If you plan on using Bixby, just without the button, you’ll want to take the time to set Bixby up properly. If you plan on not using Bixby at all, you can just breeze through the setup.
After you get Bixby set up, it’s time to disable that button. See that little cog icon at the top right? Tap it.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346530" height="668" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/samsungs-bixby-sucks-heres-how-to-turn-it-off-1.jpg" width="325" />
This opens a quick “Bixby Key” menu. The menu literally contains just the one toggle, so turn it off.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346531" height="668" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/samsungs-bixby-sucks-heres-how-to-turn-it-off-2.jpg" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346532" height="668" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/samsungs-bixby-sucks-heres-how-to-turn-it-off-3.jpg" width="325" />
From now on, nothing will happen when you tap the Bixby Button. No more Bixby Home for you! The cool thing here is that if you still use Bixby voice for something (anything), you can still long-press the button to bring up Voice.
And if you want, you can now put that button to better use by <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/317295/how-to-remap-the-galaxy-s8s-bixby-button-without-rooting/">remapping it</a> with an app named <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jamworks.bxactions">bxActions</a>. Good stuff.
<h2>How to Completely Disable Bixby</h2>
If you’re all about living that Google Assistant life and want nothing to do with Bixby at all, you’ll want to take things a step further and completely shut it down. Again, you’ll need to have Bixby set up first to do this, so run through the setup process if you haven’t already.
With Bixby up and running, give that hardware button a tap. If you disabled the button and then navigated away, just swipe over to the far left home screen on the stock launcher—this brings up Bixby Home.
Tap the three dots in the upper right corner, and then choose the “Settings” option.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346533" height="668" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/samsungs-bixby-sucks-heres-how-to-turn-it-off-4.jpg" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346534" height="668" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/samsungs-bixby-sucks-heres-how-to-turn-it-off-5.jpg" width="325" />
Scroll down to the Voice section, and turn off the “Bixby Voice” toggle. Most all the options below it instantly gray out, meaning they’re disabled. That’s what you want.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346535" height="668" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/samsungs-bixby-sucks-heres-how-to-turn-it-off-6.jpg" width="325" /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346536" height="668" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/samsungs-bixby-sucks-heres-how-to-turn-it-off-7.jpg" width="325" />
There’s one last thing you’ll need to do to get rid of all traces of Bixby: shut down Bixby Home.
To do that, jump to the home screen and long-press it. Swipe over to the far left screen, which is the Bixby Home screen. At the top, turn off the “Bixby Home” toggle, and Bixby is gone forever. Or at least until you re-enable it.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346537" height="668" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/samsungs-bixby-sucks-heres-how-to-turn-it-off-8.jpg" width="325" />
<h2>How to Get Bixby Back</h2>
If you have a change of heart and want to give Bixby another go, you may be wondering how to get it back. You’ll have to start by re-enabling it in Bixby Home in the stock launcher by following the instructions in the previous section and turning the “Bixby Home” toggle back on.
After that, you can re-enable Bixby Voice in the Settings menu and the Bixby Button. Easy peasy.
<hr />
It’s worth noting that you can mix and match things from the Bixby feature if you don’t want to completely get rid of it. For example, you could turn off the Bixby Button, but leave Bixby Voice and Bixby Home enabled. Or get rid of Home and use the Button. Or any other variation that you want.
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Samsung’s Bixby Sucks. Here’s How to Turn it Off.

If you use Android, you probably use the Google Assistant. If you’re a Galaxy user, Samsung’s own Bixby can get in the way—especially with ...

How to Install Custom Themes and Visual Styles in Windows

<img alt="ubuntu-theme-for-windows-7[4]" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-install-custom-themes-and-visual-styles-in-windows.png" />
Windows has had support for themes, also known as “visual styles”, since Windows XP. By default, Windows only loads Microsoft-signed themes—but you can get around this limitation.
These aren’t your <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/8887/learning-windows-7-desktop-themes-and-backgrounds/">standard Windows themes</a>. They modify the appearance of window title bars, buttons, and other visual elements.
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<h2>Windows 10: Install WindowBlinds</h2>
You can still do this the old-fashioned way on Windows 7 (see our instructions in the next section for that), but it’s not so easy to do on Windows 10. UxStyle, the tool we recommend for Windows 7, <a href="https://github.com/riverar/uxstyle/issues/37">no longer functions</a> on modern versions of Windows 10. While you can directly modify the uxtheme.dll file, this change will be reverted whenever Windows 10 updates itself. And, because this is so hard to do, most user-created themes likely won’t be properly supported on the latest builds of Windows 10.
But there’s still a solution. If you want to theme your Windows 10 desktop, we recommend you install <a href="https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/">Stardock’s WindowBlinds</a> software. It’s still fully supported on Windows 10, and doesn’t require hacking with system files. It does cost $10, but that $10 will save you a lot of trouble. A free 30-day trial is also available.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346284" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-install-custom-themes-and-visual-styles-in-windows-1.png" />
WindowBlinds also includes some polished custom Windows themes. To choose a theme, just click it in the WindowBlinds window and then click “Apply style to desktop”. Your change will instantly take effect, although you may have to close and restart some applications, including Google Chrome, before your change takes effect.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346285" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-install-custom-themes-and-visual-styles-in-windows-2.png" />
RELATED: <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/222614/how-to-enable-windows-10s-hidden-dark-theme/">How to Use a Dark Theme in Windows 10</a>
WindowBlinds makes it easier to install custom themes, too. It uses its own WindowBlinds format for themes, and you can find more themes on <a href="http://www.wincustomize.com/explore/windowblinds">WinCustomize.org</a>.
For example, you can find a <a href="https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/windowblinds/8824/">Dark Mode</a> theme that, unlike <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/222614/how-to-enable-windows-10s-hidden-dark-theme/">Windows 10’s built-in Dark Mode</a>, also applies to File Explorer and other apps.
<h2>Windows 7: Patch Your System Files With UxStyle</h2>
Windows checks if themes are signed by Microsoft before loading them. If they aren’t, Windows won’t load them at all. To use them, you’ll have to modify Windows system files—uxtheme.dll in particular—and disable the check. In the past, this required booting into Safe Mode and manually replacing system files. Today, there are easier ways to do this.
<a href="http://uxstyle.com/">UxStyle</a> is the ideal free solution for Windows 7 users (although it no longer works on Windows 10). UxStyle runs entirely in memory, disabling the check without modifying any system files. It’s the easiest, safest way to enable third-party themes without WindowBlinds. (You can choose to pay for a copy of WindowBlinds on Windows 7, too, if you like.)
To use UxStyle, download it, extract the .zip file, and then run the x64 installer (if you’re using a <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/21726/how-do-i-know-if-im-running-32-bit-or-64-bit-windows-answers/">64-bit version of Windows</a>) or the x86 one (if you’re using a 32-bit version of Windows). After installation, a new process named “UnsignedThemesSvc.exe” will run in the background. Reboot your computer and you’ll be able to install unsigned themes.
<img alt="install-uxstyle" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-install-custom-themes-and-visual-styles-in-windows-3.png" />
<h3>How to Find Visual Styles Online</h3>
You’ll find custom visual styles for Windows on a variety of websites. One of the best places to hunt for visual styles is <a href="https://www.deviantart.com">DeviantArt</a>. For example, check out the <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/customization/skins/windows/windows7/visualstyle/whats-hot/">Windows 7 visual styles page</a> on DeviantArt to find themes.
Note that these files are generally unconfirmed ZIP or RAR files, which may contain malware or links to infected sites. Use a virus scanner for extra protection if you’re in any doubt. Also note that specific versions of Windows might require specific updates to theme files—double-check the information on DeviantArt or other pages to make sure the theme you’re downloading is compatible with your build.
Choose a theme you want and download it to your computer. To illustrate the process, we’ll use the <a href="http://browse.deviantart.com/art/Maverick-for-Win7-194347855">Maverick for Win7 theme</a> that attempts to port Ubuntu’s old default theme to Windows 7.
Many themes are distributed in .rar format. If you want to open these, you’ll need a file-extracting program like the free <a href="http://www.7-zip.org/">7-Zip</a>.
<h3>How to Install Visual Styles</h3>
Themes are located in the following folder:
<pre>
C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\
</pre>
Each theme has its own subfolder here. To install a new theme, just drop its files into the Themes folder and agree to the UAC prompt. The .theme files should be in the root of the folder.
<img alt="install-visual-styles-on-windows-7" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-install-custom-themes-and-visual-styles-in-windows-4.png" />
Note that some themes may include other assets, and will require you to follow additional instructions before they work as intended. For example, themes may include custom fonts and icons. The theme’s download page—or included README file—will generally contain information on completing the installation process.
If you do need to install fonts, just drop the included .ttf font files into the following folder:
<pre>
C:\Windows\Fonts
</pre>
<img alt="install-fonts-on-windows-7" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-install-custom-themes-and-visual-styles-in-windows-5.png" />
When you have a theme installed, you can double-click its .theme file to switch to it. You’ll also find it listed alongside the themes included with Windows in your desktop personalization control panel.
<img alt="select-custom-windows-7-theme" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-install-custom-themes-and-visual-styles-in-windows-6.png" />
Because Microsoft doesn’t officially support third-party themes, you’ll likely run into the occasional graphical glitch or rough edge when using custom visual styles with third-party applications. You can’t do much about this. Developers generally don’t take unofficial Windows themes into account when designing their applications.
<img alt="ubuntu-theme-for-windows-7" src="https://tricksbunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-to-install-custom-themes-and-visual-styles-in-windows-7.png" />
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How to Install Custom Themes and Visual Styles in Windows

Windows has had support for themes, also known as “visual styles”, since Windows XP. By default, Windows only loads Microsoft-signed themes...