Prevent changing theme

Policy ID
CPL_Personalization_DisableThemeChange
Scope
User Configuration
Supported on
At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional
Source
Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category
Control Panel › Personalization

Description

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.

Registry

Other policies in the same category

View all policies in this category (16)