WSSTYLES File
What are WSSTYLES files and how to open them
Are you having problems opening a WSSTYLES file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your WSSTYLES files.
What is a WSSTYLES file?
A .WSSTYLES file is a Windows Sidebar Style file.
Windows Sidebar Style (.WSSTYLES) files store visual appearance settings for the Sidebar feature in Microsoft Windows Vista, designed to let users change how the Sidebar looks beyond the built-in options. They are created by applying styles through a utility called Windows Sidebar Styler, which enables designers to package custom visual elements - such as panels, buttons, background images or transparency - into a theme that can be loaded into or switched on the Vista Sidebar. These files are useful when you want your Sidebar to match other visual aspects of your desktop (for example, the Aero Glass theme) or to apply completely custom artwork.
Windows Sidebar Styler is the primary application that writes .WSSTYLES files. It lets users assemble and save styles - which include graphics like PNG images, layout parameters, color settings and often effects like transparency - into a distributable file. Once saved, a .WSSTYLES file can be shared or loaded into another Vista installation via Sidebar Styler so that the Sidebar's visuals change accordingly.
Inside the file, there is a fixed byte signature at the start that identifies it: the ASCII string "SBRSTL" appears at offset zero (bytes 0x53 0x42 0x52 0x53 0x54 0x4C).
How to open WSSTYLES files
We have identified one WSSTYLES opener that is compatible with this specific type of WSSTYLES file.
Programs that open Windows Sidebar Style files
 | Windows Sidebar Styler | Verified |
Last updated: August 14, 2026
Help us help others
File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about WSSTYLES file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.
Not sure exactly what type of file you are trying to open? Try our new File Analyzer. It is a free tool that can identify more than 11,000 different kinds of files - most likely yours too! It will help you find software that can handle your specific type of file. Download File Analyzer here.