CustomDefaultThemeFile
Important
This setting is deprecated. Theme files can no longer be set as the default Windows theme. Instead, customize the following elements of the Windows default theme using Unattend.xml: DesktopBackground, ThemeName, BrandIcon, UWPAppsUseLightTheme, and WindowColor.
CustomDefaultThemeFile specifies the path to a customized theme file. These files may include a .bmp file for customized background.
While you can create additional custom themes by adding .theme files to a Windows installation (using these instructions, .theme files can no longer be used as the default theme.
Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| Path_to_theme_file | Specifies the path to the customized default theme file. Path_to_theme_file is a string with a maximum length of 259 characters.Theme files have a file name extension of .theme and are text files containing, among other things, pointers to visual resources such as background. |
This string type supports empty elements.
Note
The background color or design must not, in any way, obscure the Windows desktop icons, taskbar, Start button, or Start menu, or otherwise impair the functionality of the user interface. Users must be able to view and to use the Windows desktop for its intended purpose, which is to provide easy access to icons and to folders.
Valid Configuration Passes
specialize
auditSystem
auditUser
oobeSystem
Parent Hierarchy
Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup | Themes | CustomDefaultThemeFile
Applies To
For a list of the supported Windows editions and architectures that this component supports, see Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup.
XML Example
The following XML output shows how to set a customized theme.
<Themes>
<CustomDefaultThemeFile>c:\themefiles\theme1.theme</CustomDefaultThemeFile>
<DefaultThemesOff>false</DefaultThemesOff>
</Themes>