How Do I Change a Windows Theme From a Command Line?
With the release of Windows XP, Microsoft brought a new feature to Windows that some users have wanted for years: a skinnable interface. Windows XP has the ability to use theme files to customize the user interface by changing the colors and designs of window items such as task bars and buttons. While this feature can make Windows XP more fun to use in a home environment, it may not be conducive to the professional appearance of a work environment. You can change the desktop theme in Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 from the command line, allowing you to execute security measures such as creating an automatic script that reverts the Windows XP theme to the one you prefer when users log on.
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Instructions
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Click the "Start" button, and then click "Run." Type "cmd" without quotation marks in the dialog box that appears and press "Enter" to open the command prompt.
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Type "cd c:\Windows\Resources\Themes" and press "Enter."
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Type "dir" and press "Enter" to see a list of the themes that you have to choose from. You can use any file with the extension "Theme"; e.g., "Luna.theme."
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Type "rundll32.exe Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl desk,@Themes /Action:OpenTheme /File:"C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Luna.theme"',1" and press "Enter." Omit the first and last quotation marks from the example, and substituting "Luna.theme" for the theme that you want to use. Press "Enter." The Display Properties window opens with the theme you entered selected.
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Click "OK" to apply the selected theme.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are using this command prompt to create a Windows Script Host file that runs automatically when users log on, add the line "objShell.Sendkeys("{ENTER}");" to the end of the file so that the new Windows theme is applied automatically without the user needing to click "OK." This step is unnecessary in Windows 7, as the theme changes immediately without user confirmation.
