Windows 11’s default settings allow your desktop theme to change automatically based on the time of day or your current activity. While this can be a nice way to keep your desktop looking fresh, it can also be annoying if you prefer to keep a consistent look and feel. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to stop the themes from changing automatically. Here’s how to do it:
To stop the themes from changing automatically, you’ll need to open the Settings app. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu and then clicking on the gear icon. Once the Settings app is open, click on the “Personalization” tab and then click on the “Themes” section. In the “Themes” section, you’ll see a toggle switch that says “Change theme automatically.” Turn off the toggle switch and the themes will stop changing automatically.
If you want to change the theme manually, you can click on the “Browse themes” button in the “Themes” section. This will open the Microsoft Store, where you can browse and download new themes. Once you’ve found a theme that you like, click on the “Install” button to install it. Once the theme is installed, it will be applied to your desktop. You can also change the theme manually by right-clicking on the desktop and then clicking on the “Personalize” option. This will open the Personalization settings, where you can change the theme, wallpaper, and other desktop settings.
Disable Automatic Theme Updates
Windows 11 automatically downloads and applies theme updates, which can sometimes lead to unexpected changes in your system’s appearance. To prevent this behavior, you can disable automatic theme updates by following these detailed steps:
1. Access the Windows Settings menu
Open the Start menu and navigate to “Settings.” Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings app directly. Once the Settings window appears, locate and select the “Personalization” category.
2. Navigate to the “Themes” section
Within the Personalization settings, select the “Themes” option from the left-hand menu. This section allows you to manage and customize your system’s visual aesthetics, including the theme, background, and other appearance options.
3. Disable automatic theme updates
In the Themes section, locate the “Theme Settings” heading. Here, you will find an option labeled “Automatically download and apply updates.” Simply toggle this switch to the “Off” position. By disabling this setting, you effectively prevent Windows from automatically updating your system’s theme, ensuring that your preferred theme remains unchanged.
Remove Theme-Changing Software
Some third-party software, such as system tweakers and personalization tools, may have the ability to change your themes. To prevent this, you can identify and remove any such software from your computer.
Here are some steps to remove theme-changing software:
1. Check installed programs
Go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “Apps & features”.
Scroll through the list of installed programs and look for any software that appears to be related to theme management or customization.
2. Identify the offending software
If you are not sure whether a particular software is causing the theme-changing issue, you can disable it temporarily and observe if the problem persists. To disable a program:
- Right-click on the program in the “Apps & features” list.
- Select “More” > “Disable”.
Note: Some programs may require you to restart your computer after disabling them.
3. Uninstall the problematic software
If you have identified the software that is causing the issue, you can uninstall it by following these steps:
- Right-click on the program in the “Apps & features” list.
- Select “Uninstall”.
Restart your computer after uninstalling the software to ensure that all its components are removed.
| Example of theme-changing software: |
|---|
| – System Mechanic |
| – IObit Advanced SystemCare |
| – Glary Utilities |
| – WinTools |
| – TuneUp Utilities |
Modify Theme Registry Key
Using Registry Editor
Follow these steps to modify the theme registry key using Registry Editor:
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type "regedit" and click "OK" to launch the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize
- In the right pane, find the following registry values:
- AppsUseLightTheme: Sets whether apps use a light theme (0) or dark theme (1).
- SystemUsesLightTheme: Sets whether the system uses a light theme (0) or dark theme (1).
- Right-click on each value and select "Modify".
- Set the value to "0" (light theme) or "1" (dark theme).
- Click "OK" to save the changes.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Using a PowerShell Script
You can also use a PowerShell script to modify the theme registry key. Here’s an example script:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize" -Name "AppsUseLightTheme" -Value 0
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize" -Name "SystemUsesLightTheme" -Value 0
Save the script with a .ps1 extension and run it as administrator.
Using a Group Policy
If you’re managing multiple computers, you can use a Group Policy to modify the theme registry key for all users.
- Open the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC).
- Create a new Group Policy Object (GPO).
- Edit the GPO and navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\Personalization
- Enable the following policy: "Force a specific default theme"
- In the "Theme filename" field, specify the name of the theme file you want to use (e.g., "aero.theme").
- Link the GPO to the organizational unit (OU) that contains the computers you want to affect.
Contact Microsoft Support
If you have tried all of the above steps and are still unable to stop your themes from changing in Windows 11, you can contact Microsoft Support for help. Here are the steps on how to do so:
1. Open the Microsoft Support website.
You can access the Microsoft Support website by going to https://support.microsoft.com.
2. Click on the “Contact Us” link.
The “Contact Us” link is located in the top right corner of the Microsoft Support website.
3. Select the “Windows” product.
On the “Contact Us” page, you will be asked to select the product that you are having problems with. Select “Windows” from the list of products.
4. Select the “Technical Support” option.
On the “Windows” page, you will be asked to select the type of support that you need. Select “Technical Support” from the list of options.
5. Click on the “Chat with a support agent” button.
On the “Technical Support” page, you will be given the option to chat with a support agent or to call Microsoft Support. Click on the “Chat with a support agent” button.
6. Enter your contact information.
You will be asked to enter your contact information, including your name, email address, and phone number. Once you have entered your contact information, click on the “Start chat” button.
7. Explain your problem to the support agent.
Once you are connected with a support agent, explain your problem to them. Be sure to include all of the steps that you have already taken to try to fix the problem.
8. Follow the support agent’s instructions.
The support agent will provide you with instructions on how to fix your problem. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. If you have any questions, ask the support agent for clarification.
Restoring Default Theme Settings
If your themes continue to change unexpectedly, try restoring your default theme settings. To do this:
- Open Settings (Windows key + I).
- Go to Personalization > Themes.
- Select the “Default” theme.
- Restart your computer.
Checking for Updates
Make sure your Windows 11 system is up to date. Sometimes, theme-related issues can be resolved by installing the latest updates. To check for updates:
- Open Settings (Windows key + I).
- Go to Windows Update.
- Click “Check for updates.”
- Install any available updates.
Troubleshooting Common Theme-Changing Issues
1. Theme Service Not Running
Open Services (Windows key + R, type “services.msc”). Locate the “Themes” service. Ensure it’s running and set to “Automatic.”
2. Corrupted Theme Files
Navigate to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes. Delete the “.theme” files for any problematic themes.
3. Third-Party Software Interference
Disable or uninstall any third-party software that modifies the Windows interface, such as skinning tools or custom launchers.
4. Registry Key Modification
Use Registry Editor (Windows key + R, type “regedit”) to modify the following key:
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize | Set to “0” |
5. Group Policy Conflicts
Open Group Policy Editor (Windows key + R, type “gpedit.msc”). Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization. Ensure any policy regarding themes is set to “Not Configured.”
6. System File Corruption
Run the System File Checker (SFC) command prompt (Windows key + X, choose “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”). Type “sfc /scannow” to repair corrupted system files.
7. Account Profile Issues
Log in as a different user account to check if the theme issue persists. If it doesn’t, your primary account profile may be corrupted.
8. Clean Boot
Perform a clean boot to rule out any conflicting software or drivers:
- Type “msconfig” in the Start menu search.
- Go to the “Services” tab.
- Enable “Hide all Microsoft services.”
- Disable all other services.
- Restart your computer.
9. Reset Windows 11
As a last resort, you can reset Windows 11 to its default settings. This will erase all your installed software and personal files, so make sure to back them up before proceeding.
10. Disable Night Light Schedule
Windows 11’s Night Light feature automatically adjusts the color temperature of your display to reduce eye strain at night. However, this feature can also interfere with the color consistency of your themes. To disable the Night Light schedule:
- Open the Settings app (shortcut: Windows key + I).
- Navigate to “Display” > “Night Light.”
- Toggle off the switch next to “Schedule night light.”
Additional Tips for Disabling Night Light Schedule:
- Manually adjust Night Light settings: If you want to use Night Light but avoid its interference with themes, manually adjust its settings under "Display" > "Night Light."
- Set a shorter Night Light duration: Reduce the duration Night Light is active to minimize its impact on themes.
- Disable Night Light during specific hours: If you only use your computer at certain times, disable Night Light during those hours to ensure theme consistency.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Disable Night Light Schedule | Disables the automatic adjustment of color temperature, ensuring consistent themes. |
| Manually Adjust Night Light | Customize Night Light settings without affecting themes. |
| Set Shorter Night Light Duration | Minimizes the impact of Night Light on themes by reducing its active time. |
| Disable Night Light at Specific Hours | Excludes Night Light during certain hours to maintain theme consistency. |
How To Stop The Themes From Changing In Windows 11
Windows 11 has a feature that automatically changes the theme of your desktop wallpaper, lock screen, and other elements. This can be a fun way to keep your desktop looking fresh, but it can also be annoying if you prefer to stick with one theme.
If you want to stop the themes from changing in Windows 11, you can do so by following these steps:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click on the Personalization tab.
3. Click on the Themes sub-tab.
4. Under the “Change theme” heading, click on the drop-down menu and select “Manual”.
This will prevent Windows 11 from automatically changing the theme of your desktop. You can now manually change the theme to whatever you like, and it will stay that way until you change it again.
People Also Ask
How do I stop the lock screen from changing in Windows 11?
To stop the lock screen from changing in Windows 11, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Click on the Personalization tab.
- Click on the Lock screen sub-tab.
- Under the “Personalize your lock screen” heading, click on the drop-down menu and select “Picture” or “Slideshow”.
- If you select “Picture”, you can choose a single image to use as your lock screen.
- If you select “Slideshow”, you can choose a folder of images to use as your lock screen. Windows 11 will automatically rotate through the images in the folder.
Can I change the theme of my desktop and lock screen independently?
Yes, you can change the theme of your desktop and lock screen independently in Windows 11. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Click on the Personalization tab.
- Click on the Themes sub-tab.
- Under the “Change theme” heading, click on the drop-down menu and select “Custom”.
- This will allow you to choose a different theme for your desktop and lock screen.
