Theme - Allow or Prevent Changing

    Theme - Allow or Prevent Changing

    Theme - Allow or Prevent Changing

    How to Allow or Prevent Changing Theme in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Allow or Prevent Changing Theme in Windows 7

       Information
    This will show you how to allow or prevent specific or 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
    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 for All Users
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Allow_Changing_Theme.reg
    B) Go to step 3.
    2. To Prevent Changing Theme for Only Current User
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Prevent_Changing_Theme.reg
    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











  1. Posts : 2
    Windows Home Premium 32bit
       #1

    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 Computer


  2. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    You're most welcome Mike, and welcome to Seven Forums. :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #3

    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:

    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 Computer


  4. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Ooops. Thank you Nick for pointing this out, and welcome to Seven Forums. It has now been corrected. :)
      My Computer


 

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