How to Allow or Prevent the Color Scheme to be Changed in Vista

information   Information
This will show you how to allow or prevent the Color Scheme in the Apearance Settings window to be changed for all users. By default, the color scheme is allowed to be changed.
Note   Note
This is for the Windows Aero (All Vista editions except Home Basic), Windows Vista Standard (Only the Vista Home Basic edition), Windows Vista Basic, Windows Standard, Windows Classic, High Contrast White, High Contrast Black, High Contrast #2, and High Contrast #1 color scheme options depending on your edition of Vista.

EXAMPLE: Color Scheme Set to Allow and Prevent from being Changed
NOTE: For how to change these settings, see: How to Change the Color Scheme in Vista
color_scheme_allowed.jpgcolor_scheme_prevented.jpg




OPTION ONE
Through the Local Group Policy Editor

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Control Panel, Display, and Desktop Themes. (See screenshot below)
group_policy.jpg
3. In the right pane, right click on Prohibit Theme color selection and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)

4. To Allow Color Scheme Change
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5A)

B) Go to step 6.
5. To Prevent Color Scheme Change
A) Select (dot) Enabled and click on OK.
properties.jpg
6. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. Your done.







OPTION TWO
Using a REG File Download

1. To Allow Color Scheme Change
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Allow_Color_Scheme_Change.reg

download
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Prevent Color Scheme Change
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Prevent_Color_Scheme_Change.reg

download
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then on OK when prompted.

6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.



OPTION THREE
Manually in Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If System is not here, then right click on Policies and click on New and Key. Type System and press Enter.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
reg1.jpg
5. To Prevent Color Scheme Change
A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and on DWORD (32-bit) Value. (See screenshot above)

B) Type NoColorChoice and press Enter.

C) Right click on NoColorChoice and click on Modify. (See screenshot below)
reg2.jpg
D) Type 1 and click OK. (See screenshot below)
modify.jpg
E) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)
reg3.jpg
F) Go to step 7.
6. To Allow Color Scheme Change
A) In the right pane, right click on NoColorChoice and click on Delete. (See screenshot above)

B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.
7. Close regedit.
That's it,
Shawn