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Microsoft makes theming your Windows 11 PC as easy as phones, but not as much fun

Windows 11 finally gets easier, with centralized theming, though the experience isn't quite as playful as what you get on phones.

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Screenshot of the Themes section in the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft

There’s a new Themes section in the Microsoft Store for Windows 11. It houses hundreds of curated themes, including wallpapers, theme colors, and other visual elements, that you can download and apply in a single click. The new Themes section aims to make personalization easier for users.

With users now accustomed to rich theming on smartphones and tablets, Microsoft had to address growing complaints that Windows PCs didn’t offer the same level of customization (with the same level of ease). The new Themes section contains over 400 themes, “over 35 of which are new to the store.”

✨Announcing the new Themes department in the Microsoft Store, home for hundreds of free themes to make your PC feel uniquely yours. Explore 35+ new themes from Microsoft and ecosystem artists, featuring over 140 new wallpapers and accent colors. Which theme is your favorite?… pic.twitter.com/rH3PN5n2ws

— Giorgio Sardo (@gisardo) December 11, 2025

While there’s a new way to discover themes, managing them remains a familiar experience via the Settings app. Even though Windows allowed users to tailor their desktop with wallpapers, color schemes, and sounds, the new update streamlines the theme discovery process.

Store-first themes streamline customization

Whether you want seasonal wallpapers, color-matching accent sets, or officially licensed packs from popular games and franchises, the new Themes section should offer all. Microsoft is also highlighting a few themes on the official blog page, including Luminous Flow, Mountain Dwellings, Dreamscapes, Sea of Thieves Official, and Blooming Dimensions.

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If you’ve ever wanted to customize how your Windows 11 desktop or laptop looks, but the lack of a consolidated solution has stopped you, this update should make it easier with easy discovery in the dedicated Themes section and one-click installation, eliminating the hassle of manually selecting everything.

Microsoft’s move to a Store-first themes strategy reflects a broader effort to centralize content and experiences in the Microsoft Store, much as app discovery works there. In the future, we should see more curated theme collections and personalized recommendations in the Themes section.

Meanwhile, long-time users might want to archive their favorite themes before the legacy web gallery disappears.

Shikhar Mehrotra
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