How to actually apply the theme outside of testing environment?

[frasurbane]

I've worked on enough of my theme that I would like to have it go through a trial period of day-to-day use. Problem is, I don't know how to actually apply it and I keep running into problems.

1. When I tried to click 'Use Visual Style Now' I get blackscreened, forcing me to do a system restore. Assumedly this is because the .msstyle isn't in the appropriate folder
2. I then tried to save a copy of the .msstyle in Windows/Resources/Themes but when I click on it it just takes me to this dialog: https://imgur.com/a/Kc96jg3
3. It also doesn't show up in Settings > Personalization > Themes. I cannot get the old Personalization. I tried
4. Back in WSB, I tried to open that copy of the theme but when I try to save it so I can apply it I get this: https://imgur.com/a/2dmNm1P
5. Also in the save dialog even though I checked "Write .theme file" no .theme file is actually generated

At a reall loss rn.

[3am]

Do you have your theme folder and theme file in Resources/Themes? Did you right click your theme file and open it with Personalization CPL?

[frasurbane]

WSB didn't generate a .theme file even after I told it to

[frasurbane]

I already mentioned I can't access the old Personalization. Attempting to do so just opens up the Desktop folder

[frasurbane]

By Personalization CPL I assume you mean themecpl.dll when I initially thought you meant the Personalization menu. Alright well I tried opening the .msstyle through it and it gave me this: https://imgur.com/a/KSM0Gh9

[3am]

You have to make your own theme file. Make a copy of Aero.theme. Rename it to your name. Right click it and open it with Notepad (you are going to have to make it look for Notepad). Change DisplayName to your name. Change the VisualStyles Path to lead to your msstyles (you can also change a lot of other stuff if you want). Put it in Resources/Themes along with your theme folder that contains your msstyles and Shell folder (which you can copy from the Aero theme folder). Then you can right click your theme file and choose open wuth Personalization CPL.

Have you never downloaded a theme and looked at how and what folders and files are included and how they are arranged? None of this is new.

I have no idea why you are trying to open a msstyles with themecpl.dll. Makes absolutely no sense.