Force a specific visual style file or force Windows Classic

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2003, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016, WindowsVista, WindowsXP

This setting allows you to force a specific visual style file by entering the path (location) of the visual style file. This can be a local computer visual style (aero.msstyles), or a file located on a remote server using a UNC path (\\Server\Share\aero.msstyles). If you enable this setting, the visual style file that you specify will be used. Also, a user may not apply a different visual style when changing themes. If you disable or do not configure this setting, the users can select the visual style that they want to use by changing themes (if the Personalization Control Panel is available). Note: If this setting is enabled and the file is not available at user logon, the default visual style is loaded. Note: When running Windows XP, you can select the Luna visual style by typing %windir%\resources\Themes\Luna\Luna.msstyles Note: To select the Windows Classic visual style, leave the box blank beside "Path to Visual Style:" and enable this setting. When running Windows 8 or Windows RT, you cannot apply the Windows Classic visual style.

No explicit registry values are set for enabled or disabled states.

• Computer
  Do not display the lock screen

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• User
  Enable screen saver

  At least Windows 2000 Service Pack 1
• Computer
  Force a specific background and accent color

  Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1 only
• Computer
  Force a specific default lock screen and logon image

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Force a specific Start background

  At least Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1
• User
  Force specific screen saver

  At least Windows 2000 Service Pack 1
• Computer
  Load a specific theme

  At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
• User
  Load a specific theme

  At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
• User
  Password protect the screen saver

  At least Windows 2000 Service Pack 1
• User
  Prevent changing color and appearance

  At least Windows 2000
• User
  Prevent changing color scheme

  Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows XP
• User
  Prevent changing desktop background

  At least Windows 2000