How to Specify a Default Theme to Load for New Users in Windows 7
Information
This will show you how to have a theme that you specifiy to be applied by default when a new user logs on for the first time.
You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.
Note
If enabled, this does not prevent the user from
changing their theme or any of the theme elements such as the desktop background, window color, sounds, or screen saver after the first logon. It only sets the theme you selected to be used by default until changed.
OPTION ONE
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)
3. In the right pane, right click on
Load a specific theme and click on
Edit. (See screenshot above)
4. To Disable Loading a Specific Theme for New Users
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
B) Go to step 6.
5. To Enable Loading a Specific Theme for New Users
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
B) In the Path to theme file box under Options, type in the full path of the .theme file with file extension in quotes that you want to be used by default for new users. (see screenshot below step 6)
For example:
Code:
"C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\Brink-Theme.theme"
6. Click on
OK. (see screenshot below)
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
OPTION TWO
Manually in Registry Editor
1. Open the Start Menu, then type
regedit in the search box and press enter.
2. If prompted by
UAC, click on
Yes.
3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
4. To Enable Loading a Specific Theme for New Users
A) In the left pane, right click on
Windows and click on
New and
Key. Type
Personalization and press enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you already have the Personalization key, then skip this step and continue to 4B below.
B) In the right pane of
Personalization, right click on a empty space and click on
New and
String Value. (see screenshot below)
C) Type in
ThemeFile and press Enter. Right click on
ThemeFile and click on
Modify. (see screenshot below)
D) type in the full path of the
.theme file with file extension
in quotes that you want to be used by default for new users. (see screenshot below)
For example:
Code:
"C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\Brink-Theme.theme"
5. To Disable Loading a Specific Theme for New Users
A) In the right pane of
Personalization, right click on
ThemeFile and click on
Delete. (see screenshot below)
B) Click on
Yes to confirm deletion. (see screenshot below)
6. Close regedit.
That's it,
Shawn