How to Change Skins - Winamp Blog

Category: Tutorials Posted by Amar Toor, Nov 11th 2009 12:00PM

Seasons are changing. Out with the old, in with the new. Turn, turn, turn. The laws of Nature are immutable, and encompass nearly every conceivable facet of existence--including Winamp Media players. Like a hermit crab no longer satisfied with his shell, your Winamp player desperately wants to shed its haggard, old Summer skin and slip into a new chic, cozy Fall wardrobe. Only one problem, though-- you're not sure how to change it for her. Don't worry, we're here to help. Just follow these simple instructions and in a matter of seconds, your Winamp player will be decked out in the most fashionable Fall skins mankind has ever known.

So basically, you have two options. The first option is probably the easier one, though they're really just two paths to the same destination. The first one consists of using Winamp's new online Add-On gallery, which will allow you to browse skins directly in your Winamp Media Player, as opposed to visiting the Online Skins Gallery.

Normally, the Winamp Add-ons gallery is included in the Media Library tab, but if you don't see it listed as an option, you can still add it. To do this, you can click on "Online Services" in the left nav, and search for Winamp Add-ons. Once added, you can start browsing for your next Skin. This is pretty straightforward, but if you prefer to do you Skin shopping online, you can just use the following procedure...

Step 1:

The first thing you'll need to do is jump on to the Winamp homepage, where you'll find, in the menu toolbar, a "Skins" option. If you click on this, a few options will drop down, but in this case the only one you'll be interested in is the "Browse Skins" option, so give that a click.

Step 2:

Now you've arrived in the ~~Lion's Den~~ heart of the Skins library. Here you'll find everything Winamp has to offer in the way of skins, and you have several choices of how to go about checking them out. If you're looking for something specific, you can type in a keyword or words into the search bar on the left, or you can browse them according to category. Once you've narrowed the category, you can then arrange your search according to "Featured," "Just Added," "Top Rated" or "Recently Modified" skins within a certain subcategory.

How To Change A Skin - Step 2

Step 3:

OK, decision time. Choosing the right skin is important, so we understand if you wanna take a few minutes, maybe call friends, family, or therapists. But once you've made your momentous decision, just click on your skin of choice, and then select the Download option near the top left of the page. You'll also find here a full description of the skin, including when it was first introduced, user ratings and reviews, and images of what it'll look like. All good things to know.

How To Change a Skin - Step 3

Step 4:
Once you've clicked download, the file will download. Locate the file (.wal) and double click on it, afterwards, a little box will pop up asking you if you're sure you wanna run this skin. If you're sure, press yes. If you're still undecided about it, you can always click no and go back to browsing.

How To Change A Skin - Step 4

Step 5:

Once you've clicked yes, the skin will automatically load into Winamp, and your Winamp will shower you with hugs and kisses.

How To Change A Skin - Step 5

If, though, you wake up one morning and say to yourself, "y'know what? This skin just isn't working," there's no need to worry. Just right click on the Winamp icon at the bottom right corner of your Windows taskbar (near the clock), go to the "Skins" option, and change your skin. Just like that.

Repeat as necessary, until both you and your Winamp player are satisfied to your heart's content.

How To Change A Skin - Step 5b

Email This

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1. lol

Posted at 10:41PM on Dec 8th 2009 by lili09821

2. i cannot get the skins to load in the new player.. and i cant fidn the old version and i HATE the abasic version of the player pimeer modern is the shiznet!!! HELP!!!!!!

Posted at 5:35PM on Dec 18th 2009 by Kim

3. I cannot seem to get the skin to install but it download.

Posted at 7:38PM on Jan 4th 2010 by Brittany

4. I had same problem. It seems by default Windows Vista won't let you add files to the default setting. Locate the skins folder C:\Program Files\Winamp\Skins and right click on folder and select properties. Click on the Securtiy tab.Click on the edit button. A new window titled Permissions for Skins will open. In the group or user names select the name that is logged in Windows.Below in the Permissions for CREATOR OWNER click to put a checkmark in Full control.Then click OK twice. Now when you right click on the download button for the skin you want save it to that folder.

Posted at 12:03AM on Jan 9th 2010 by Larry

5. My Vista says that there isn't a program installed to open it

Posted at 8:25AM on Jan 14th 2010 by Jacob

6. hey im feel so stupid i neeeed help with my i have problem like following why does firefox opens it in ultimate zip when i click download WTF ??? please someone help a silly girl :P

Posted at 4:53AM on Jan 29th 2010 by Patricia sundberg

7. Yeah right, step 5 is a joke. I downloaded a skin twice and I have no idea where they are. It sure isn't in Winamp. I have Winamp 5.56 and I can only use Winamp classic skin. I would love to have another skin but it just doesn't download right for me!

Posted at 2:38PM on Jun 9th 2010 by Valerie

8. heyy...I felt so stupid after downloading the new skin of winamp. Because I've downloaded two themes but there is not any program to open them.
they are as it is since i downloaded it.they are now in a corner of my computer.
How do i install these themes..?? Please Help Me.

Posted at 2:45AM on Jun 20th 2010 by Mayank

9. I'm having the same problem as others on here: I can download them, but they won't install/work. Of MMD3, Drone and the Marion Bros one, only the latter will show. Running Win7 64-bit.

Posted at 10:16PM on Aug 6th 2010 by Brandon

10. Download the the file//make a new folder in skins folder//open the install file with winrar//extract the files to the folder you just created. Done, now you can use the skin :)

Posted at 11:03AM on Sep 10th 2010 by vkm

11. Just wanna to say thanks to Larry. Your advice works for me.

Posted at 2:21PM on Sep 22nd 2010 by Ruben

12. It's not working for me =/

Posted at 2:49AM on Feb 7th 2011 by Jesus

13. I had issues too (even after adjusting the permissions multiple times...) and here's what I wound up doing:

Right click the 'Download' button and choose 'Save Target As' and find the 'Skins' folder (C:\Program Files\Winamp). Save the skin to this folder (if it shows the skin already there, overwrite it). Once it's finished, the little window will have a button that says 'Open', select that and you should get the pop up from Step 4.

I hope this helps. ^^;

Posted at 3:46AM on Mar 11th 2011 by Sumire

14. Listen you the comment by vkm it really works

Posted at 10:28PM on Mar 23rd 2011 by Tyler

15. for vista issue:

add the permissions winamp folder
find .exe file (c:\->program files->winamp)
right-click->properties->
- go to compatabilities tab
- at the bottom, check run as administrator

--->use skins

Posted at 10:34PM on Apr 10th 2011 by Xander

16. I have a problem when i am download WAL-files in windows 7.

when i open it, i can press the yes button when winamp asks if i trust the publisher, but after that, nothing happends.
when i go to skins in winamp and use the skin, the classical skin appears!
this have been annoying me for hours, so if u have the answer plz write back asap

Posted at 6:02AM on Sep 4th 2011 by Didshit

17. Same problem....skins do not work on win 7 and i'm stuck with that shitie classic.I'm using winamp 10 years now and never kept it on classic :( so I think i'l try to find another nice player

Posted at 10:49AM on Oct 21st 2011 by Robert

18. definitely a permissions problem w/ Win 7. i copied the installation files from their downloaded location (Downloads in my user folder) to C:\windows\Program Files (x86)\Winamp\Skins and then double clicked on them from there. This will prompt a windows user control dialog asking if you want to allow this file to make changes to your computer. Then the skin should install.

Posted at 1:47PM on Nov 9th 2011 by kathy

19. It's pretty simple.Download the skin.Double click it.If it doesn't automatically apply,it'll let you choose what program to open it with (it should do so,at least,if not,right click and select "open with").Check if winamp is on that list.If it is,select it and click on "open".A popup window asking if you're sure you wanna apply the skin should appear.If it doesn't show the winamp icon,click on "browse",go to my computer>local disk C: (or whatever drive you installed winamp,default is C:)>Program files>winamp>winamp.exe (there are only 2 executable files there,one is winamp and the other is winampa.Select winamp and voila,your skin is applied.

Posted at 6:44AM on Dec 25th 2011 by baraket

20. Download and install the ClassicPro Winamp Plugin http://cpro.skinconsortium.com/

Posted at 5:10AM on Dec 30th 2011 by Tamas