How to Enable or Disable Changing Start Screen Background in Windows 8 and 8.1
InformationThis will show you how to allow or prevent all users from being able to change the Start screen background and color from what it was set as prior per user in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
EXAMPLE: Changing Start Screen Disabled in Windows 8
OPTION ONE
Enable or Disable Changing Start Screen using a REG File Download
NoteThe .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
NoChangingStartMenuBackground DWORD
0 = Enable changing Start background
1 = Disable changing Start background
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
NoChangingStartMenuBackground DWORD
0 = Enable changing Start background
1 = Disable changing Start background
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.
2. To Enable Changing the Start Screen Background and Color
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_Changing_Start_Screen_Background.reg
B) Go to step 4 below.
3. To Disable Changing the Start Screen Background and Color
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_Changing_Start_Screen_Background.reg
B) Go to step 4 below.
4. Save the .reg file to the desktop.
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.
6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.
7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
OPTION TWO
Enable or Disable Changing Start Screen in Local Group Policy Editor
NOTE: This option for using group policy is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.
1. From the Start screen, start typing gpedit.msc and press Enter when finished.
NOTE: You could also press Windows+R to open the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and click/tap on OK.
2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.
3. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Control Panel, and open Personalization. (see screenshot below)
4. In the right pane of Personalization, double click/tap on Prevent changing start menu background. (see screenshot above)
5. Do step 6 or 7 below for what you would like to do.
6. To Enable Changing the Start Screen Background and Color
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below step 7A)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
7. To Disable Changing the Start Screen Background and Color
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
8. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- Change Your Start and Sign in Screen Background and Color in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Set a Default Start Background Image for All Users in Windows 8.1
- How to Force a Specific Background and Accent Color in Windows 8.1 Modern UI
- How to Show your Desktop Background on Start Screen in Windows 8.1
- How to Enable or Disable Changing the Lock Screen Background Image in Windows 8
- Set Desktop, Lock, and Start Background to Show Image or Solid Color in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Create a "Personalize Modern UI" Shortcut in Windows 8.1
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