Is it possible to use Windows 7 Themes on Windows 8.1?

Question

Just out of curiosity, I would like to try getting the Windows 7 Aero theme source files and putting them on Windows 8.1 to see if it would work. Does anyone know if it would be possible to do such a thing? I have access to a Windows 7 installation to get the files, but what I need to know is where they are stored. I understand that with the release of Windows 8 Microsoft changed something with theme extensions, but I have a feeling that Microsoft still has compatibility built in for Windows 7 themes.

Solution

This doesn't work. The layout of the theme has changed between Windows 7 and 8 and even between Windows 8 and 8.1.

You need 3rd party themes like this one:

http://damonkeyoncrack.deviantart.com/art/Aero7-V2-for-Windows-8-8-429412929

Comments

[Ramhound]

Aero does not even exist in Windows 8 so what you want isn't possible

[DaveTheMinion]

I don't think you understand. I know that Aero does not exist in Windows 8, so I was thinking of grabbing the Windwows 7 Aero theme files and putting them on my Windows 8.1 machine to get the Aero that I want.

[Ramhound]

It's not going to work. The visual effects no longer even exist

[BullDozier1337]

Ramhound is right. Aero does not exist in Windows 8. There is however a theme hack you could do, though I'm not sure if it works in 8.1, that brings the Aero Glass effect back. But its really distorted and buggy.

[Ming Slogar]

@Ramhound: The visual effects no longer even exist??? Microsoft did not delete any Aero code in Windows 8 - they simply turned off transparency for window borders. If you had run the Win 8 previews, you would have seen how Microsoft gradually modified the window borders...

[Ramhound]

I don't use beta versions of Windows and disabled I removed the outcome is the same windows 7 theme files are not compatible with windows 8. A great deal changed be the preview and RTM most were permanently changed

[DaveTheMinion]

@BullDozier1337 If you are talking about the AeroLite theme that Microsoft made and then opted to not include but left the source files for, I have already used that hack, and it is not even remotely Aero.

[BullDozier1337]

@DavidB, no I was talking about this trick: howtogeek.com/128630/…