Windows 7 Theme on Server 2008 R2

Sometimes you get tired of looking at a server desktop. So, here is a way to spice up Server 2008 R2 and make it look like Windows 7.

    1. Start -> Administrative Tools -> Server Manager
    2. On the left menu, select Features
    3. On the right, Click Add Feature
    4. Check Desktop Experience
    5. Click Add Required Features
    6. Click Next
    7. Click Install
    8. Click Close
    9. Click Yes to restart now
    10. After restarting and logging in, it will finish some things, then click close

    1. Start -> Administrative Tools -> Services
    2. On the right, locate Themes
    3. Right click themes
    4. Click Properties
    5. For Startup type, Select Automatic
    6. Click Apply
    7. Click Start
    8. Click Ok
Server 2008 R2 - Theme Service
Server 2008 R2 – Theme Service
  1. Click Start
  2. Type Personalization and hit enter
  3. There should be an Windows 7 Theme listed under Aero Themes, Select it and you are done
Server 2008 R2 - Aero Theme
Server 2008 R2 – Aero Theme

All that’s probably missing is the trademark Win 7 background, but that should be easy enough to find and toss on there if you really want it.