Set Windows 7 Basic Theme via Group Policy

[FN-GM]

Hi,

 

I need to force some users to use the Windows 7 Basic theme. I cant seem to find a way of doing it.

 

1. They already have profiles so i cant change it that way.

2. The group policy "Load a specific theme" only works the first time a user is logging on

3. The group policy "Force a specific visual style file" only accepts .msstyles files. The only one i can find is areo.msstyles and this loads the full Aero UI

 

Does anyone know of any other ways i could do this please?

 

Thanks.

Edited March 7, 2012 by FN-GM

[3s-gtech]

User Configuration/Administrative Templates/Control Panel/Personalization/Force Specific style file or Windows Classic - leave the theme selection box blank. Pretty sure the Basic and Classic themes come out the same, or close enough.

[FN-GM]

Nope classic theme is the gray Windows 2000 look not Windows 7 Basic.

 

Thanks Anyway

[Arthur]

Just an idea, but could you do the opposite of this? i.e.

 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\DWM]
"UseMachineCheck"=dword:00000000
"Glass"=dword:00000000
"Blur"=dword:00000000
"UseAlternateButtons"=dword:00000000
"Animations"=dword:00000000
"AnimationsShiftKey"=dword:00000000

[ChrisMiles]

When you say you want to force Basic theme, do you really just want to disable Aero as in the transparency stuff etc? Because you can set the following setting to disable it and make it look the same as with Basic theme:

 

User Configuration > Admin Templates > Windows Components > Desktop Window Manager > Do not allow desktop composition

[FN-GM]

So use 1 instead of 0?

 

Thanks