# Load Themes from a Resource

> important RadThemeManager cannot load the theme if it is saved as package (tssp file). This is shown in the following article: [using custom themes](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/styling-and-appearance/using-custom-themes)

To load a theme from a resource into a Theme Manager, follow these steps:

1. Add a **RadThemeManager** control to your form.

2. Add the XML file containing the theme to your Microsoft Visual Studio project.

3. In the Properties window for the XML file, set the **Build Action** to **Embedded Resource**.

   ![tools-visual-style-builder-adding-custom-themes-to-your-application-load-themes-from-a-resource 001](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/assets/be4319bd0d780fe229152cc676debe81/tools-visual-style-builder-adding-custom-themes-to-your-application-load-themes-from-a-resource001.png)

4. Select the RadThemeManager control and open its Smart Tag menu.

5. Select the **Load Theme From Resources task**.

   ![tools-visual-style-builder-adding-custom-themes-to-your-application-load-themes-from-a-resource 002](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/assets/e5a49102d4e174089488480f034dfc3e/tools-visual-style-builder-adding-custom-themes-to-your-application-load-themes-from-a-resource002.png)

6. Enter your theme's name in the **Load Theme** dialog box, and then click **OK**.
   ![tools-visual-style-builder-adding-custom-themes-to-your-application-load-themes-from-a-resource 003](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/assets/adae5578fac82d6074c7b02ed19e7825/tools-visual-style-builder-adding-custom-themes-to-your-application-load-themes-from-a-resource003.png)

7. Using the same approach, load the  **theme repository file** and all other theme files that you need.

> important If the form with the theme manager will be opened multiple time in the life cycle of the application, the theme manager needs to be diposed explicitly. A suitable place to call its Dispose method is the Closing event of the form.
>
> ## See Also
>
> * [Adding RadThemeManager to a Form](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/tools/theme-manager/adding-radthememanager-to-a-form)

* [Applying a Theme to a Control](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/tools/theme-manager/applying-a-theme-to-a-control)

* [Add Remove Theme Files](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/tools/theme-manager/editing-themes)

* [Load Themes from an External File](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/tools/theme-manager/load-themes-from-an-external-file)