Dislike the look of Windows 11? The Microsoft Store is your unlikely savior.

Microsoft Store themes
Themes will be easier to find on Windows 11 thanks to a new section in the Microsoft Store. (Image credit: Microsoft | Edited with Gemini)
Disclaimer

Enjoy our content? Make sure to set Windows Central as a preferred source in Google Search and find out why you should so that you can stay up to date on the latest news, reviews, features, and more.

Customizing your Windows 11 PC is about to get easier. A new section in the Microsoft Store will feature a large collection of themes.

"We are beginning to rollout a new Themes department in the Microsoft Store on Windows, where visitors can quickly find curated and trending themes to customize their Windows devices with a single click," shared Microsoft Store Vice President Giorgio Sardo in a blog post.

"We’ve heard from so many of you that you want your PC to feel like your own. Maybe you’re a gamer who wants to celebrate the latest release, a fan who finds joy in seeing beloved characters each morning, a designer searching for an artfully composed background that sparks creativity every time you log in, or someone who simply wants their desktop to feel fresh and uplifting."

The new Themes department will roll out gradually, so you may not see it yet. Even if it hasn't shipped to your PC, you can download and apply themes from Microsoft. The tech giant shared shortcuts, including the Sea of Thieves Official Theme and the Dreamscapes Theme.

Themes section of the Microsoft Store on Windows 11

Until recently, the Microsoft Store lacked categories for themes, resulting in a giant library of items sorted alphabetically. (Image credit: Future)

The Themes department is the latest part of a saga I've covered throughout the year. Back in January, Microsoft announced that it would retire its dedicated theme download webpage. For months, the old website and themes within the Microsoft Store lived side-by-side, both acting as a tool to customize your PC.

Eventually, Microsoft kept its word and retired that page, pointing people instead to the Microsoft Store. But the Microsoft Store was not ready to receive an influx of users seeking themes. It did include hundreds of themes, but they were poorly organized.

The Themes department in the Microsoft Store hosts over 400 themes, including 35 recent additions. You'll access those themes by clicking a paintbrush icon that appears below the AI Hub shortcut.

Sardo also highlighted that there are several apps to customize Windows 11 in the Microsoft Store, giving a shout-out to TranslucentTB, Lively Wallpaper and Seelen UI.

I'd also recommend checking out FluentFlyout, Auto Dark Mode, and Start11.


Click to follow Windows Central on Google News

Follow Windows Central on Google News to keep our latest news, insights, and features at the top of your feeds!


Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 930, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.