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Windows 7 - Theme - Allow or Prevent Changing



 

Theme - Allow or Prevent Changing

How to Allow or Prevent Changing Theme in Windows 7
Published by Brink
02-08-2010
Default Theme - Allow or Prevent Changing

How to Allow or Prevent Changing Theme in Windows 7

information   Information
This will show you how to allow or prevent all users on the computer from changing their current theme through Personalization in Windows 7.

The Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic editions do not have the Personalization features included in them, such as changing and saving themes.

warning   Warning
This will not prevent users on the computer from changing the individual elements of their theme in Pesonalization such as the desktop background, window color, sounds, and screen saver.

To prevent users from changing these as well, you will also need to set policies to prevent the changing of the desktop background, window color, sounds, and screen saver.

This can only be done while logged in as a administrator.

EXAMPLE: Theme in Personalization
NOTE: This is Theme changing set to be allowed (left screenshot below) and prevented (right screenshot below) in Personalization.
Theme - Allow or Prevent Changing-allowed.jpgTheme - Allow or Prevent Changing-prevented.jpg



OPTION ONE

Using a REG File Download
1. To Allow Changing Theme
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Allow_Changing_Theme.reg
download
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Prevent Changing Theme
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Prevent_Changing_Theme.reg
download
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4.Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Restart the computer to fully apply.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.



OPTION TWO

Through the Local Group Policy Editor
1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Control Panel, and Personalization. (see screenshot below)
Theme - Allow or Prevent Changing-group_policy.jpg
3. In the right pane, right click on Prevent changing theme and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)

4. To Allow Changing Theme
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.
5. To Prevent Changing Theme
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
6. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
Theme - Allow or Prevent Changing-theme.jpg
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
That's it,
Shawn






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01-08-2011   #1
MikelO


Windows Home Premium 32bit
 
 


Thank you, The download to allow changes works great in option 1. I am new to windows seven and it literally took me two minutes. including download and reboot.

My System SpecsSystem Spec
01-08-2011   #2
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
 
 


You're most welcome Mike, and welcome to Seven Forums.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
3 Weeks Ago   #3
NickDouglas


Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 


Brink,

Thank you for providing this info, I found it very useful!

However, there is an error in your "Allow_Changing_Theme.reg" file which causes it to fail to delete the keys.

Please remove the "dword:" from each line. The file should read:

Quote:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoThemesTab"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoThemesTab"=-
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


3 Weeks Ago   #4
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
 
 


Ooops. Thank you Nick for pointing this out, and welcome to Seven Forums. It has now been corrected.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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