Students changing Windows themes

[mulderite]

Anyone know of a workaround to prevent students using .theme files to change the windows theme under their profile? A small number are downloading high-visibility/horrendously coloured pre-defined themes and are double clicking them to apply them, only to find it cannot be reset under their logon restrictions, so we have to delete their roaming profile and let it create a new one to reset the theme.

 

Thanks!

[localzuk]

Add a file restriction banning .theme files?

[mulderite]

Using Software Restriction Policy? We use Ranger for the blocking of applications, but as that doesnt allow blocking of certain filetypes we've never had need to use Software Restriction Policy until now. Will look into it, thanks.

[Psymon]

You can do it with Group Policy - give me 1 min to find the exact setting.

 

Edit - User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\Personalization\Prevent changing theme

 

You can also force a pre-created theme with "Load a specific theme" if you have one available (this only applies to first logon / fresh profile however).

Edited May 14, 2013 by Psymon

[sted]

or use file server resource manager and ban them from saving .theme files in users areas / profile shares

[SteveA]

Search for "services" file in start menu. Scroll down and find "themes". Then disable it.

[Yeo695]

Group policy is the best and most reliable way

Under...

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\Personalization\Prevent changing theme

[mulderite]

It turns out the 'Prevent changing theme' policy as mentioned in this post does not prevent a student from double-clicking a .theme and applying it into their profile, as we already have that enabled. It just means that once they apply the file they can't change it back!

 

We're going to use Sted's suggestion of FSRM to ban them saving these files in the first place. Thanks everybody!

[X-13]

It turns out the 'Prevent changing theme' policy as mentioned in this post does not prevent a student from double-clicking a .theme and applying it into their profile, as we already have that enabled. It just means that once they apply the file they can't change it back!

 

It's been a while since I tested it, but there's a setting somewhere that blocks the themes window from opening. IIRC, even if you use .theme files they don't work.

[sted]

It's been a while since I tested it, but there's a setting somewhere that blocks the themes window from opening. IIRC, even if you use .theme files they don't work.

 

you could use gpp to tell .theme files to open with say notepad or probably just break any association for a group of users

[mulderite]

you could use gpp to tell .theme files to open with say notepad or probably just break any association for a group of users

 

What a fantastic idea! Why don't I think of these things??

[detjo]

What a fantastic idea! Why don't I think of these things??

Ye, coz FSRM is fine for stopping them saving it to but it's no good if they run it from a USB stick

[Yeo695]

Ye, coz FSRM is fine for stopping them saving it to but it's no good if they run it from a USB stick

 

And who goes around with .theme files on the USB stick?

[detjo]

lol .. yu should see what students will try to get around restrictions!