Do you desire a desktop that looks and feels like your own? This guide will help create a fully customized Windows 10 desktop and user interface (UI).

A few minutes is all it takes to turn your desktop into a unique UI suited to your needs and wants. It's fun, it's easy, and the results will be stunning. Let us take you through the process step-by-step.

1. Introduction to Desktop Customization

1.1 Why Should I Customize My Desktop?

Your desktop is simple. You use it to send emails, write documents, store photos, and watch movies. In short, you do everything on your computer. Yet it sits there, bare and without a personal touch. Besides, why mess with what works?

Others have grown to love the thrill of customization. First, you begin customizing your Start Menu tiles. Then, program icons. Next thing you know, you're simulating whole operating systems within your Windows 10 environment.

Think of your PC like a desk. Now imagine working at an empty desk every day. No matter your PC knowledge—whether you consider yourself an amateur or a pro—no one has to settle for a boring desktop. Let your personality flow through your screen. Read on to go from drab and default to outstanding in minutes!

1.2 How This Guide Is Written

This guide is best read from beginning to end. Since desktop customization often requires prior knowledge and multiple programs, it's best to start with simple feature changes. Slowly but surely—as you gain experience dealing with different parts of the Windows 10 UI—you'll learn how to customize more and more.

If you'd like a simple one-click solution, though, feel free to jump ahead to the Themes section.

2. Themes

2.1 An Introduction to Desktop Themes

No matter what Windows version you're using (Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, or Windows 11), making your desktop look fantastic is super simple.

Let's take our Taskbar, for example. Right-click on your Taskbar. Then, select Taskbar settings. This will open a window that allows users to customize certain simple features in their Taskbar.

Taskbar settings on Windows

As you can see, we already have several options to change the appearance of our Taskbar. You can choose to hide it, use smaller Taskbar buttons, and lock the Taskbar, so you don't accidentally delete a shortcut.

Just like that, you've already started customizing your Windows 10 UI. That's only the beginning.

2.2 Where Can I Get Themes for My Computer?

There are plenty of ways—some official and some not—to download and install themes for Windows 10. For one, Microsoft hosts several Windows 10 themes for free within the Microsoft Store.

To access the Microsoft Store, click on your start menu and type in store. Click on the Microsoft Store option. Then, type in Themes in the search bar, hit enter, and select the Get your theme option.

Get your theme in Microsoft Store

This will allow you to install a simple theme quickly, officially, and for free.

2.3 How Do I Use Themes Properly?

Before we get into the more nuanced tweaks, it's best to start with default desktop customization, so you familiarize yourself with Windows 10's UI. We'll start with themes. Windows 10 themes are basic background and color combinations you can use for your desktop.

To access Themes, right-click an empty space on your desktop and select Personalize.

Personalize Windows

This will open the Background section of your Windows 10 settings.

Backgroung settings in Windows

Expand your window and select the Themes option in the sidebar. You can access and save themes in this window. Then, scroll down to and click the Get more themes option. From the list provided, select an option and download the theme. Once the theme is downloaded, select Launch and choose your theme from the selection.

That's it! In a few seconds, we went from the following default desktop:

Old Windows theme

To this:

New Windows theme

All in a few clicks. Note that not only the background changed, but the Taskbar color and all applicable Windows 10 windows as well. You can also install dark themes if you are not a fan of the lighter options, and if you are feeling creative, then what's better than creating your own Theme on Windows?

That's enough on default changes for now. Let's go over how to install third-party themes.

2.4 Should I Use a Third-Party Theme Installer?

The following is a popular method among Windows 10 aficionados to install third-party themes onto their Windows 10 computers. This method will allow you to control the look of your File Explorer, a major component of the Windows 10 UI, and other applicable programs like Task Manager.

2.4.1 DevianArt Themes

First, head to DeviantArt and enter Windows 10 themes in the search bar. You'll be presented with several popular options by default.

Windows 10 themes on Deviant art

You can install any theme available in the search results. However, before continuing, a few words of warning.

Always set a restore point before installing a custom theme. Developers will often explicitly state this in their documentation. Since we're dealing with the Windows UI, we have to take extra precautions when tweaking it to ensure we don't delete a vital part of the UI. Take note of exactly how the developer explains the installation.

2.4.2 Theme Installers

As for the theme, you'll need a few programs before installing it. OldNewExplorer, the first program you'll need, deactivates the ribbon section of your File Explorer. The second program, UltraUXThemePatcher, will allow for third-party Windows 10 themes.

Ensure you are using the correct version of each piece of software with the correct Windows version. If you install a version of the software that is not compatible with your Windows version—installing UltraUXThemePatcher for Windows 8 in Windows 10, for example—you may run into problems.

2.4.3 Installing a Third-Party Theme

Once you've installed these programs, download and install the actual theme. Then, extract the theme ZIP file and move the folder's contents to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes. Ensure you change the C in the repository address to the applicable driver letter.

Themes folder in File Explorer

Finally, select the theme in your Settings options using the method explained above. Voila! You just installed a custom Windows 10 theme.

Using a few third-party programs, we've completely changed our Windows 10 UI in minutes. Keep in mind that third-party software can cause errors. Nevertheless, developers are cautious in fully explaining the possible issues you may encounter. Moreover, always remember to read the documentation that comes with the programs. Follow the installation steps to the last detail.

2.5 How Do I Revert to the Original Theme?

To restore the original Windows 10 theme, simply right-click on your desktop and select Personalize. Then, select Themes and click on the Windows option.

You can also use the restore point created earlier.

This will not only revert your Theme to default; it will revert your icons and system configurations back to normal as well.

3. Rainmeter

3.1 What Is Rainmeter?

A particular dynamo when it comes to desktop customization is Rainmeter. A long-time favorite Windows program, Rainmeter will allow you to include various tweaks to your desktop.

Rainmeter homepage

There's no cutoff to what you can do with Rainmeter. Want to create an interactive, parallax 3D wallpaper? Rainmeter can do that.

Want to include your favorite images and GIFs directly on your desktop, as one would picture on a desk? You can do that as well.

Simply head to the Rainmeter website and download the application.

3.2 Getting Started With Rainmeter

Rainmeter is very simple to use but will definitely require some getting used to. Rainmeter allows users to load skins and INI files onto their desktops. These files can control music, show time, weather, and the like. Think of them as third-party widgets allowing far more options than the default Windows widgets.

Download and install the final stable release of Rainmeter. Once installed, head to your Taskbar drawer and double-click Rainmeter's teardrop logo. This will show your Manage Rainmeter window, allowing you to load and unload widgets or skins.

Manage rainmeter

On the left-hand side are all the Rainmeter skins installed on your PC. Your skins and any new skins you install are located in the C:\Users\Waves\Documents\Rainmeter\Skins directory by default.

Locate the folder's INI file to activate a skin and double-click or select the Load option in the Manage Rainmeter window. To unload, right-click your skin and select Unload. You can also unload your skin using the Manage Rainmeter window by selecting the skin in the left-hand dropdown menu and clicking Unload.

Load a file in Rainmeter

That's the basic mechanics of using a Rainmeter.

3.3 Where Can I Get Custom Skins?

While Rainmeter is a great program, it's only as useful as your skin selection. Rainmeter is very sparse by default. That means you'll have to install third-party skins. Luckily, DeviantArt is a dream repository for Rainmeter skins. Head to the DeviantArt website and type rainmeter into the search bar.

DeviantArt will be your central repository for custom Rainmeter skins. First, head to the skin's DeviantArt web page.

Download a skin

Once the file is downloaded, double-click on the file like you would open an executable file. In the following Rainmeter Installer window, click Install.

Install Rainmeter skin

That's it! You just installed a Rainmeter skin. Now, head to your Manage Rainmeter window by double-clicking its Taskbar icon, locate the INI file in the left-hand selection, and Load the skin.

Rainmeter logo on the taskbar

Voila! You've just loaded a live skin.

3.4 What If I Want to Modify Something?

At times, the default Rainmeter skin will not function on your desktop. The skin will either be too small, too big, or lack your particular weather and location information. Luckily, Rainmeter makes editing their skins straightforward.

For example, if the skin presented above gives you the weather for the wrong location, right-click the skin and select Edit skin.

With weather applications, in particular, you'll note most of them require a LocationCode. This code is based on your whereabouts and will provide the weather using particular websites. If you need to change your location, head to a website like weather.codes, look up your location, and copy and paste the code into the LocationCode parameter.

Then, press CTRL + S on your keyboard to save the document and refresh the skin by right-clicking it and selecting Refresh skin.

That's it! You just edited a Rainmeter skin.

3.5 How Can I Connect Rainmeter to Other Applications?

Some Rainmeter skins require other programs to control functionality. When this is the case, you'll need to download and install some sort of Rainmeter plugin. For example, the highly popular Win10Widgets suite requires a Spotify plugin so that you can control the program via a Rainmeter widget.

Win10widgets homepage

You can check this Reddit post wherein you can download the aptly called SpotifyPlugin automatically.

That's it! You just connected Rainmeter to an application.

3.6 I Want to Get More In-Depth.

If you'd like to wander through Rainmeter, you'll find plenty of useful documentation in Rainmeter's official manual.

Rainmeter documentation

There are official documentation pages dedicated to explaining Rainmeter parameters and tricks.

You can be the Rainmeter developer all other users look to for favorite skins, so feel free to read up as much as you'd like on Rainmeter. There's no limit to what you can do using this free piece of software.

4. More Apps

There are plenty of apps online which allow users to customize their desktops. We've selected the very top of the batch, and here they are!

4.1 How to Customize Your Favorite Media Player

The great thing about Rainmeter is it allows you to control most music and media controls on your PC. That makes it a great media skin program, along with being a great desktop widget software.

That said, there are a few widely used media players you can re-skin directly within the program as well.

4.1.1 VLC Media Player

Did you know you can re-skin the highly popular VLC application? A personal favorite of ours, and one of the best Windows programs ever, VLC allows users to install custom skins for VLC. It even hosts skins on the official VLC website.

Download a skin and keep it in a place you'll remember. Your file should be in VLT format.

To install, open VLC. Then, head to Tools > Preferences. In the following window, click on the Use custom skin radio button. Next, click the Choose option and select the location of your VLT file.

Use custom skin

Finally, select Save and exit VLC. Open VLC again, and it should open with your theme installed. Here's VLC before.

Old VLC in Windows

Here's VLC after.

New VLC player in Windows

It's that simple.

4.2 What Is RocketDock?

RocketDock is a tiny docking application that presents and launches programs from a dock. Everything about the dock, from the size to the icons, is customizable. All in all, it's the single best docking software available online.

4.2.1 Getting Started With RocketDock

You can download and install RocketDock from the official website. Install as you would any other program. Once installed, click on your Start Menu and type in rocketdock. Select the RocketDock option. Your default dock should now pop up.

RocketDock hosts plenty of features and options for users immediately after installation. Simply right-click your RocketDock to view your options.

Adjust screen position

If you want to remove icons from your dock, click and drag the icon out of your dock. To add icons to your dock, drag the program shortcut into the dock like you would on the desktop.

4.2.2 RocketDock Theme & Icon Changes

Another great aspect of RocketDock is the possible customization options. Right-click your dock and select Icon Settings. From this window, you can install various icons installed on your PC. We've got you covered if you're looking to customize your icons. If you want to download free icons, head over to Flaticon and search for your favorites.

Flaticon stickers for Windows

Download the icon or icon pack, and unzip it if necessary. Then, click on the + sign on the left-hand side of the window and locate your icon folder. From here, click on the dropdown buttons until you find your icon images. They'll appear on the right-hand side of the window.

Select whatever icon you wish and click OK. Repeat this with every icon.

To install third-party custom themes, you can head to DeviantArt, search for RocktDock themes, and download them. Unzip the file, and then copy and paste the unzipped folder in C:\Program Files (x86)\RocketDock\Skins (or whatever disk drive letter you've installed RocketDock on). Restart RocketDock and head to your Theme settings to change your dock's theme to the newly downloaded one.

Customize RocketDock stickers

Just like that, you have a completely custom RocketDock with a custom theme and icons!

4.2.3 RocketDock Alternatives

If you don't wish to use RocketDock for whatever reason, there is a paid alternative called ObjectDock. It has the same abilities as RocketDock, though it is a bit newer and customizable.

4.3 Fences

Fences, a program created by Stardock, is an application that allows you to create small fences on the desktop, which can help you sort the clutter on your desktop. Try it out using the 30-day trial if you're curious.

Download and install the program. It will require that you enter your email and activate the trial via the email link.

4.3.1 Getting Started

Once you've downloaded Fences, it's surprising how intuitive the program is. For one, your desktop programs should organize immediately.

To create a fence, left-click your desktop and drag. An option will open which reads Create Fence here. Name the fence whatever you'd like—we named ours Programs for our program files. Drag and drop a program into this fence, and you will now be able to access this program via your fence.

Create a new fence

That's the basics of it, but that's not all you can do. You can also enact rules in Fences, which not only automatically organizes your files but downloads particular files into your fence automatically.

To do so, right-click your desktop and select Configure Fences. Click on the Sorting & organizing option to open the Type-based rules selection. Since we are making a programs-based fence, we will check the Program Shortcuts option. A small additional option will open, asking that you choose a Fence for your files. Click on the link and select an option, in our case, the Programs fence.

Sorting and organizing

Scroll down and click on the Apply rules now link.

Apply rules on Fence

Voilà! Your program shortcuts should now have automatically merged into your Program fence. You can also check the Keep rules applied at all times option to send program shortcuts to this fence every time you've downloaded one onto your desktop.

We've only scratched the surface of what you can do with Fences, so feel free to play around with the software.

That said, now you know how to utilize the organizing power of Fences from the get-go! Once you start using Fences, you'll wonder how you managed without it.

4.3.2 More Customization

As with most programs presented in this list, you can easily customize Fences' look. Right-click your desktop and select Configure Fences. Then, select Color & appearances. Under Background Style and Color, click on the dropdown menu and select a particular Fence (or keep the option at All Fences).

Using the color sliders, adjust the color and saturation of your fences. Your changes should take effect automatically.

Customize fences

Here's our desktop after organizing files with Fences and adjusting their color.

New desktop fences

Not only are the icons organized, the Fences aesthetic can't be any more satisfying.

5. Best-Of: Instant Customization

5.1 Best-Of List

While you may want to go for a system that fits you, we understand that sometimes you just want it to look a bit better than the default themes and skins that Windows 10 offers. Here is a list of tools you'll want to use if you want a custom-to-order desktop. They're reliable, largely free, and will create fantastic results.

  1. UltraUXThemePatcher: Without this, you'd be hard-pressed to find a custom theme for Windows 10 that actually works.
  2. Rainmeter: This is the widget king. The extent to which you can modify this is astounding, and there is no end to the tutorials and guides that can help you make Rainmeter fit.
  3. Fences: Fences is beyond helpful in organizing clutter and making your desktop a bit more pretty. You can change the colors of the fences how you wish, label them, and drop in all the files that we know are cluttering your desktop. Section 5.2 can tell you how to use it.
  4. VLC Player: There's always going to be a debate on the best media player, and here we've decided that VLC will take the pedestal. Along with the vast customization options, it offers a wealth of other abilities, from playing some videos to streaming YouTube videos and playlists within the VLC application.
  5. F.lux: It's very unhealthy to stare at a screen at night. The blues in the light simulate sunlight, meaning getting to sleep can be a lot harder. Flux solves this problem by reducing the blue hues as day turns to night. It takes a while to get used to it, but you'll sleep better, and it reduces strain on the eyes.
  6. Classic Shell: Many who switched to Windows 8 instantly disliked it for many reasons, especially the start menu's death. This problem is (partially) solved with the 8.1 updates, but this application should let you get back that beloved windows button–and its menu.

With these pieces of software, you'll be able to turn Windows 10 (and most other modern Windows versions) into a personalized command console.

Making It All Come Together

Your desktop is just that—your desktop. You can turn it into anything. Change colors, change icons, change themes—within only a few minutes, you can create a desktop environment that will have friends and coworkers giving your screen a second look.

For example, the desktop presented above only requires a GIF and a few Rainmeter skins to create. Just like that, you have a desktop with a distinct color palette and looping movement using free software and a little know-how.

Remember that your desktop will only be as good as the time you put into it. While a proper, beautiful desktop may take minutes to set up, it may take hours of skin scavenging and option changing to configure your desktop exactly.