Prevent changing theme

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

This setting disables the theme gallery in the Personalization Control Panel. If you enable this setting, users cannot change or save a theme. Elements of a theme such as the desktop background, color, sounds, and screen saver can still be changed (unless policies are set to turn them off). If you disable or do not configure this setting, there is no effect. Note: If you enable this setting but do not specify a theme using the "load a specific theme" setting, the theme defaults to whatever the user previously set or the system default.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• 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 a specific visual style file or force Windows Classic

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional
• 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