How to Allow or Prevent Changing Window Color and Appearance in Vista and Windows 7
InformationThis will show you how to allow or prevent all users from changing the current Window Color and Appearance personalization settings in Vista and Windows 7. Changing the Window Color and Appearance settings is allowed for users by default in Windows.
EXAMPLE: Window Color and Appearance Enabled and Disabled
NOTE: When disabled (right screenshot), Window Color is grayed out and will not open when clicked on.
EXAMPLE: Window Color and Appearance settings
NOTE: When enabled, these are the settings available that you can change when the ungrayed out (blue) Window Color is clicked on above.
OPTION ONEUsing a REG File Download
1. To Allow Changing Window Color and Appearance
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.2. To Prevent Changing Window Color and Appearance
Enable_Window_Color_and_Appearance.zipB) Go to step 3.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.3. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.
Disable_Window_Color_and_Appearance.zip
4. Open the downloaded .zip file and extract the .reg file to the desktop.
5. Right click on the extracted .reg file and click on Merge.
6. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.
7. Restart the computer to fully apply.
8. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg and .zip files if you like.
OPTION TWOThrough 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.That's it,
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 Prevent changing window color and appearance and click on Edit. (See screenshot above)
4. To Allow Changing Window Color and Appearance
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (See screenshot below step 6)5. To Prevent Changing Window Color and Appearance
B) Go to step 6.
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (See screenshot below step 6)6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
8. Restart the computer to fully apply.
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Change the Window Color and Appearance in Windows 7
- How to Backup and Restore Advanced Appearance Settings in Windows
- How to Create a Window Color and Appearance Shortcut
- How to Specify a Desktop Background for All Users
- How to Allow or Prevent Changing Desktop Background in Windows 7
- How to Allow or Prevent Changing Screen Saver in Windows 7
- How to Allow or Prevent Changing Sounds in Windows 7
- How to Allow or Prevent Changing Theme
- How to Allow or Prevent Changing Mouse Pointers in Windows 7
- How to Specify a Default Theme to Load for New Users in Windows 7
- How to Remove Background Images to have Only Solid Colors in Windows 7
- How to Add or Remove "Advanced Window Color and Appearance" from Desktop Context Menu in Windows 7