How to prevent Users from changing Theme in Windows 10/8/7?

One can easily install a new theme (.deskthemepack file) or change a theme in Windows 10/8/7. One can install a new theme on your PC by just double-clicking on a .deskthempack file. If you have a customized theme on your PC and want to prevent others from changing your favorite theme, you can restrict Theme change on Windows 10/8/7 using Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor.

In this post, we will guide you to prevent Users from changing Theme in Windows 10/8/7 in two ways:-

1. Prevent Users from Changing Theme in Windows 10/8/7 using Group Policy Editor.
2. Prevent Users from Changing Theme in Windows 10/8/7 Using Registry Editor.

How to prevent users from changing Themes in Windows 10/8/7 using Group Policy Editor?

Note: Local Group Policy Editor is not a part of Windows 10 Home edition. If you are using Windows 10 Home edition, first enable Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), then proceed with this method.

Step 1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows Logo + R keys.

Step 2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run command box and hit Enter from the keyboard to launch the Local Group Policy Editor window.

Step 3. In the Policy Editor window, navigate to the following path:-

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization

Step 4. On the right-side of Personalization, select the policy “Prevent changing theme.”

Step 5. Double-click on the policy name “Prevent changing theme” to open its settings.

Step 6. Click the Apply button.

Step 7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the above steps, try to change the theme on your Windows PC by double-clicking on any .deskthemepack file. You will receive the following error message, “Your system administrator has disabled changing of the theme.”

If you want to revert the changes, which means you want to allow theme change, select the option “Not Configured” in the above step 5.

How to Prevent Users from Changing Themes in Windows 10/8/7 using Registry Editor?

If Windows Registry Editor is your preferred method to make the changes to apply any policy, perform the following steps:-

Step 1. Press and hold the Windows logo key, and then press the R key to open the Run command box.

Step 2. In the Run box, type the following and hit Enter from the keyboard:-

regedit

Step 3. A Registry Editor window opens.

Step 4. In the Registry Editor, jump to the following registry key:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Step 6. Name the newly created DWORD (32-bit) value to NoThemesTab.

Step 7. Double-click on NoThemesTab and change its value from 0 to 1.

Step 8. Restart your computer.