When you right-clicked on the desktop and selected "Properties" > "Themes," you were greeted by a dropdown menu. Here are the official themes that shipped with the OS or were released via Microsoft PowerToys.
The default visual style for Windows XP was codenamed "Luna." It was pre-installed on every machine and offered three color variations, determined largely by the computer's market segment.
Microsoft actually designed and scrapped several themes before XP’s final release. One of the most famous is “Candy” — a bright, almost cartoonish theme with pink accents and rounded buttons. Another is “Homestead” — a rustic, wood-grain concept that leaked in early betas. all windows xp themes
Originally released for Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE), "Royale" was a significant departure from Luna. It featured a darker, deep blue/black color scheme with glossy, glass-like effects. The buttons were flatter and more refined. It looked like a precursor to Windows Vista’s Aero interface. Because MCE was a premium product, standard XP users often hacked the .theme files to install Royale on their Home and Professional editions.
These themes came pre-installed with Windows XP Home and Professional editions. They are based on the "Luna" visual style. When you right-clicked on the desktop and selected
Released with Windows XP Home and Professional (2001).
Luna features a blue taskbar, green Start button, and rounded window corners.
Microsoft released these themes to promote specific products or brands. They were officially signed by Microsoft (meaning they didn't require system file patching to use) but had to be downloaded separately. Luna Olive Green
In 2006, Microsoft launched the Zune music player (their failed iPod killer). To promote it, they released an "official" black theme for Windows XP called Zune Desktop Theme. Technically a variant of Royale, "Royale Noir" swapped the blue for jet black and orange highlights. It turned the taskbar pitch black with a subtle gradient. This theme is legendary because it proved Microsoft could do a dark mode a decade before it was cool.