How to Restrict Desktop Theme Changes in Windows 11

This article describes steps to enable or disable changing the desktop themes in Windows 11.

Windows 11 has predefined desktop themes that one can use to change the look of Windows’ background, color, sound, and mouse cursor. In addition, there are themes for different seasons and styles.

Windows lets users change and add custom themes easily. Administrators can also choose a defined theme, apply it to all users, and disable the ability to modify it.

Below is how to restrict changing desktop themes in Windows 11.

How to prevent or restrict users from changing desktop themes in Windows 11

As described above, Windows 11 comes with predefined desktop themes that one can use to change the look of Windows’ background, color, sound, and mouse cursor. In addition, there are themes for different seasons and styles.

There are multiple ways administrators can prevent users from changing desktop themes. Below are two methods to do this.

Restrict users changing desktop themes via Local Group Policy Editor

One way administrators can restrict users from changing the desktop themes in Windows 11 is to use the Local Group Policy Editor.

First, open the Local Group Policy Editor.

Click on the Start menu button and search for “Edit group policy. “ Under Best match, select Edit group policy result.

In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, expand the tree: 

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization

Then, in the Personalization details pane on the right, locate and double-click the setting that says “Prevent changing theme. “

On the Prevent changing theme window set the option to Not Configure, Enabled, or Disabled.

• Not Configured (default)
• Enabled  – Users cannot change or save a theme.
• Disabled – If disabled or not configured, there’s no effect. Users can change the same theme.

Save your changes, exit, and reboot.

Prevent users from changing desktop themes via Windows Registry

If you can’t open the Local Group Policy Editor, use the Windows Registry instead.

Open the Windows Registry, and navigate to the folder key path below.

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

If you don’t see the Explorer folder key, right-click on the Policies key, then create the subkey (Explorer) folders.

Right-click on the Explorer folder key’s right pane and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Next, type a new key named NoThemesTab.

Double-click the new value name (NoThemesTab) and enter the Value data as 1 to prevent users from changing themes in Windows 11.

A Value data of 0 will enable or allow users to change themes in Windows 11.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• Administrators can prevent or allow users to change desktop themes in Windows 11.
• Two methods to achieve this are using the Local Group Policy Editor and modifying the Windows Registry.
• Consistent use of these steps can effectively manage and control desktop themes for all users in a Windows 11 environment.