Those of you that are fans of customizing your desktop are probably used to frequently changing your themes, wallpapers etc.

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However, at some point you may be greeted with an error that prevents you from doing so.

This error is usually labeled: This Theme cannot be applied to the desktop Windows 10.

While not a system breaker at all, it can be quite annoying.

What prevents you from applying desktop themes?

These are the most common reasons why you may be encountering this error:

  • Syncing themes across multiple accounts
  • Themes or Desktop Window Manager services may not be running properly
  • The Remove background images (where available) option.

What to do if you can’t apply desktop themes

1. Disable Theme Syncing across your accounts

  • Press Windows Key + I
  • Locate and click on Accounts
  • Go to Sync your Settings tab
  • Check under the individual sync settings section for the entry called Theme
  • Drag the slider so that you can disable automatic theme syncing across your accounts
  • Restart your PC

2. Be sure that Themes and Desktop Window Manager Services are running

  • Press Windows Key + R
  • Type control.exe
  • Once the Control Panel window opens, click on View by
  • Select Large Icons
  • Find the Administrative Tools entry
  • Find the Themes or the Desktop Window Manager service on the list
  • Right-click it and select Properties
  • Set Startup type to Automatic

There is a chance you may receive an error message labeled:

If that is the case:

Windows could not start the service on Local Computer. Error 1079: The account specified for this service differs from the account specified for other services running in the same process.

  • Re-do steps 1 to 7 from above
  • Go to the Log On tab
  • Click on the Browse button
  • Type in your account’s name under the Enter the object name to select entry box
  • Click OK
  • Type in your account’s password into the Password box

3. Uncheck the Remove background images (where available) option

  • Press Windows Key + R
  • Type control.exe
  • Once the Control Panel window opens, click on View by
  • Select Category
  • Click Ease of Access
  • Select Optimize visual display
  • Uncheck the box next to the Remove background images
  • Apply the changes you have made

Follow these steps, you will be able to once again change your PC’s theme, and make it suit your ever-changing taste.

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