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Description:  

This setting allows you to force a specific visual style file by entering the path (location) of the visual style file.

This can be a local computer visual style (aero.msstyles), or a file located on a remote server using a UNC
path (\\Server\Share\aero.msstyles).

If you enable this setting, the visual style file that you specify will be used. Also, a user may not apply a
different visual style when changing themes.

If you disable or do not configure this setting, the users can select the visual style that they want to use by
changing themes (if the Personalization Control Panel is available).

Note: If this setting is enabled and the file is not available at user logon, the default visual style is loaded.

Note: When running Windows XP, you can select the Luna visual style by typing %windir%\resources
\Themes\Luna\Luna.msstyles

Note: To select the Windows Classic visual style, leave the box blank beside "Path to Visual Style:" and
enable this setting.

Supported on: At least Windows XP Professional or Windows Server 2003 family.

Gpedit:   

Please perform the following steps:

Please go to Pearl button (Start) and click on the Search programs and files
For more information about the change from Start to Pearl button click here

In the Group Policy window please navigate to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates ->
Control Panel -> Personalization and open Force a specific visual style file or force Windows Classic.

Not Configured -> is the Default state
Enabled -> apply this GPO
Disabled -> this GPO will not be applied

To finish press ok button and close Group Policy window.

Type regedit and press ok

Please confirm User Account Control pop-up

Microsoft official disclaimer

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by
using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft
cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

Note: This registry key is created by Group Policy when this GPO is Enable. The GPO Default state is Not
Configured -> this registry entry is not present. For Disable this registry entry is not present.

Please navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
\System and locate SetVisualStyle registry key

Regedit:          

Please perform the following steps:

Please go to Pearl button (Start) and click on the Search programs and files
For more information about the change from Start to Pearl button click here

   

   

Double click on SetVisualStyle and edit the value:

To Enable:
Change the data value with:
SetVisualStyle = C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero\aero.msstyles

To finish press ok button and close Registry Editor window

Note: Manual editing of this registry key will not be reflected in Group Policy. If you modify this GPO from
Group Policy this registry key will be rewritten.

Type cmd, right click on cmd icon under the Programs and click on Run as administrator

Please confirm User Account Control pop-up

Please select, right and copy a registry key from below, then right click on command prompt window
, select Paste and press Enter

Enabled:
REG add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v SetVisualStyle /t REG_SZ /d C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero\aero.msstyles /f

Not Configured:
REG DELETE "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v SetVisualStyle /f

Note: Manual editing of this registry key will not be reflected in Group Policy. If you modify this GPO from
Group Policy this registry key will be rewritten.

CMD:          

Please perform the following steps:

Please go to Pearl button (Start) and click on the Search programs and files
For more information about the change from Start to Pearl button click here

   

VBScript:          

Const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001
strComputer = "."
Set oReg=GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & _
strComputer & "\root\default:StdRegProv")

strKeyPath = "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System"
oReg.CreateKey HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath
strValueName = "SetVisualStyle"
'Enabled
strValue = "C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero\aero.msstyles"
oReg.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,strValue
'Not Configured
'oReg.DeleteValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName

PowerShell Script :          

Enabled

$RegKey = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"
If(Test-Path ($RegKey + "\System"))
{
 $RegKey = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System"
  ##Enabled
  New-ItemProperty -path $RegKey -name SetVisualStyle -value C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero\aero.msstyles -PropertyType String -Force
}
else
{
 New-Item -path $RegKey -name System
 $RegKey = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System"
  ##Enabled
  New-ItemProperty -path $RegKey -name SetVisualStyle -value C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Aero\aero.msstyles -PropertyType String
}

Not Configured\Disabled

$RegKey = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"
Remove-ItemProperty -Path($RegKey + "\System") -name SetVisualStyle
If( (Get-Item -Path($RegKey + "\System")).ValueCount -eq 0 -and (Get-Item -Path($RegKey + "\System")).SubKeyCount -eq 0)
{
 Remove-Item -Path($RegKey + "\System")   
}

   

   

   

You can set a specific visual style using Group Policy or modify the specific registry key.  

Note: If you want to set a specific visual style to a specific user you need to modify or add the registry key
under his SID.

By Default windows will load deafult windows visual style.