Font Size Restricted (Greyed) – Display Properties

Windows XP Font Size drop down box located in the Display Properties under the Appearance tab is restricted/disabled (greyed out). The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account(s) settings. The Group Policy for Prohibit selection of font size will cause the Font Size drop down box to be restricted/disabled (greyed out) in Display Properties when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Font Size drop down box can be restricted/disabled (greyed out) by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the Font Size drop down box is restricted/disabled (greyed out) from the Display Properties and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor

NOTE

The Group Policy Editor is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition.

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Display > Desktop Themes

5. Double-click Prohibit selection of font size.
6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the Font Size drop down box is restricted/disabled (greyed out) on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.

Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Navigate to:

   HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

5. Right-click NoSizeChoice to select Modify.
6. Change the value to 0.
7. Navigate to:

   HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

8. Right-click NoSizeChoice to select Modify.
9. Change the value to 0.
10. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Manual Steps Using REG ADD

1. Open a Command Window.
2. Type:

   REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoSizeChoice /t REG_DWORD /d 0

3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Type:

   REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoSizeChoice /t REG_DWORD /d 0

5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
6. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Automated Fix Using an Registration File

1. Download FntSz.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
2. Right-click FntSz.Allow.reg to select Merge.
3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The FntSz.Allow.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com).  You also can view the contents of the FntSz.Allow.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows XP Editions

Related Articles

• Color Scheme Restricted (Greyed) – Display Properties
• Appearance and Themes Tab Missing – Display Properties
• Windows and Buttons Restricted (Greyed) Part 1 – Display Properties
• Windows and Buttons Restricted (Greyed) Part 2 – Display Properties

Version 3.1
Edited: May 2, 2012

Desktop Tab Missing – Display Properties

Windows XP Desktop tab is missing from the Display Properties. The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account(s) settings. The Group Policy for Hide Desktop tab will cause the Desktop tab to be removed from Display Properties when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Desktop tab can be removed these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the Desktop tab is missing from the Display Properties and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor

NOTE

The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy restriction.

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Display

5. Double-click Hide Desktop tab.
6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the Desktop tab is missing on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.

Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Navigate to:

   HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

5. Right-click NoDispBackgroundPage to select Modify.
6. Change the value to 0.
7. Navigate to:

   HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

8. Right-click NoDispBackgroundPage to select Modify.
9. Change the value to 0.
10. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Manual Steps Using REG ADD

1. Open a Command Window.
2. Type
   
   REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispBackgroundPage /t REG_DWORD /d 0
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Type
   
   REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispBackgroundPage /t REG_DWORD /d 0
5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
6. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Automated Fix Using an Registration File

1. Download DsktpTb.Show.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
2. Right-click DsktpTb.Show.reg to select Merge.
3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The DsktpTb.Show.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com).  You also can view the contents of the DsktpTb.Show.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows XP Editions

Related Articles

• Appearance and Themes Tab Missing – Display Properties 
• Screen Saver Tab Missing – Display Properties
• Settings Tab Missing – Display Properties
• Theme Tab Missing – Display Properties 
• Wallpaper / Background Restricted (Greyed) Part 1 – Display Properties
• Wallpaper / Background Restricted (Greyed) Part 2 – Display Properties

Version 3.1
Edited: May 2, 2012

Color Scheme Restricted (Greyed) – Display Properties

Windows XP Color Scheme drop down box located in the Display Properties under the Appearance tab is restricted/disabled (greyed out). The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account(s) settings. The Group Policy for Prohibit Theme color selection will cause the Color Scheme drop down box to be restricted/disabled (greyed out) in Display Properties when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Color Scheme drop down box can be restricted/disabled (greyed out) by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the Color Scheme drop down box is restricted/disabled (greyed out) from the Display Properties and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor

NOTE

The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy restriction.

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Display > Desktop Themes

5. Double-click Prohibit Theme color selection.
6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the Color Scheme drop down box is restricted/disabled (greyed out) on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.

Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Navigate to:

   HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

5. Right-click NoColorChoice to select Modify.
6. Change the value to 0.
7. Navigate to:

   HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

8. Right-click NoColorChoice to select Modify.
9. Change the value to 0.
10. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Manual Steps Using REG ADD

1. Open a Command Window.
2. Type:

   REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoColorChoice /t REG_DWORD /d 0

3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Type:

   REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoColorChoice /t REG_DWORD /d 0

5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
6. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Automated Fix Using an Registration File

1. Download ClrSchm.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
2. Right-click ClrSchm.Allow.reg to select Merge.
3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The ClrSchm.Allow.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com).  You also can view the contents of the ClrSchm.Allow.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows XP Editions

Related Articles

• Font Size Restricted (Greyed) – Display Properties
• Appearance and Themes Tab Missing – Display Properties
• Windows and Buttons Restricted (Greyed) Part 1 – Display Properties
• Windows and Buttons Restricted (Greyed) Part 2 – Display Properties

Version 3.1
Edited: May 2, 2012

Appearance and Themes Tab Missing – Display Properties

Windows XP Appearance and Theme tab is missing from the Display Properties. The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account(s) settings. The Group Policy for Hide Appearance and Theme tab will cause the Appearance and Theme tab to be removed from Display Properties when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Appearance and Theme tab can be removed these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the Appearance and Theme tab is missing from the Display Properties and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor

NOTE

The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy restriction.

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Display

5. Double-click Hide Appearance and Theme tab.
6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the Appearance and Theme tab is missing on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.

Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Navigate to:

   HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

5. Right-click NoDispAppearancePage to select Modify.
6. Change the value to 0.
7. Navigate to:

   HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

8. Right-click NoDispAppearancePage to select Modify.
9. Change the value to 0.
10. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Manual Steps Using REG ADD

1. Open a Command Window.
2. Type:

   REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispAppearancePage /t REG_DWORD /d 0

3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Type:

   REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispAppearancePage /t REG_DWORD /d 0

5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
6. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Automated Fix Using an Registration File

1. Download AppThmTb.Show.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
2. Right-click AppThmTb.Show.reg to select Merge.
3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The AppThmTb.Show.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com).  You also can view the contents of the AppThmTb.Show.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows XP Editions

Related Articles

• Desktop Tab Missing – Display Properties
• Screen Saver Tab Missing – Display Properties
• Settings Tab Missing – Display Properties
• Theme Tab Missing – Display Properties
• Color Scheme Restricted (Greyed) – Display Properties
• Font Size Restricted (Greyed) – Display Properties
• Windows and Buttons Restricted (Greyed) Part 1 – Display Properties
• Windows and Buttons Restricted (Greyed) Part 2 – Display Properties

Version 3.1
Edited: May 2, 2012

Regedit Disabled by Administrator

Windows XP Registry Editor (regedit.exe) can be restricted by enforcing a policy on machines or users. These policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs and system properties. For Home users, the Registry Editor can be disabled as well by these policies but usually Malware is the culprit in disabling the Registry Editor instead of the Administrator. If you are a home user and see the picture below when trying to open/launch Windows XP Registry Editor then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

Here is the solution for the Registry Editor policy restriction problem. Administrative privileges is required to perform the following set of solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor

NOTE

The Group Policy Editor is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition.

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System

5. Double-click Prevent access to registry editing tools.
6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the Registry Editor is disabled per User basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Manual Steps Using REG DELETE.

Manual Steps Using REG DELETE

1. Open a Command Window.
2. Type

   REG DELETE HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools

3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Type

   REG DELETE HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools

5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
6. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Automated Fix Using an Registration File

1. Download regedit.dsbld.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
2. Right-click regedit.dsbld.reg to select Merge.
3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The regedit.dsbld.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com).  You also can view the contents of the regedit.dsbld.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows XP Edition

Version 1.4
Edited: May 2, 2012