Prevent changing visual style for windows and buttons
- Policy ID
- CPL_Personalization_DisableVisualStyle
- 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
Prevents users or applications from changing the visual style of the windows and buttons displayed on their screens.
When enabled on Windows XP, this setting disables the "Windows and buttons" drop-down list on the Appearance tab in Display Properties.
When enabled on Windows XP and later systems, this setting prevents users and applications from changing the visual style through the command line. Also, a user may not apply a different visual style when changing themes.
Registry
UserHKEY_CURRENT_USER
- NoVisualStyleChoice-