Set Default Desktop Theme for All users (non-lockdown)

Question

_{Thursday, July 27, 2017 6:30 PM}

Good afternoon,

I've been racking my brain around an issue.  I'm doing a Windows 10 In Place upgrade and as part of the upgrade I would like to set the Windows Theme to be a custom theme for the first time a user logs in to a PC.  I don't want to use Group Policy to lock down the policy.  I want the user to be able to change it if they so choose.  

Is there a registry key or other method that I can use to set the theme during a first run script?  I created a script that simply opens the .theme file but it cannot run until the user is fully logged in so using an Active Setup or Run Once script wont work.  

All replies (1)

_{Friday, July 28, 2017 8:19 AM ✅Answered | 1 vote}

Hi Robert,

I think the Group Policy is the best way to achieve your goal, event though you would not prefer the measure. You might not very clear about the settings.

Please see my capture of Group Policy. In the description, it says that it just apply on a new user who logs on for the first time, and also it is available to change the theme for them after you configured the theme.

It seems that it could meet all your needs.

If you have any other concerns, please contact with me directly.

Best regards,

Joy.

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.