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How to Restore the Office Theme and Remove SharePoint Quick Launch
Question details
The user needs to revert a SharePoint site to the default Office theme and hide the Quick Launch navigation bar on the left side of the screen.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Changing a modern SharePoint site's layout configuration through the classic SharePoint experience interface.
- Observed behavior
- Modifying the site layout changes the theme unexpectedly, but the left navigation bar (Quick Launch) fails to be removed and remains visible.
Ensure you have Site Owner or Site Administrator permissions to access the classic Site Settings menu and apply layout changes to your SharePoint site.
Modify Site Settings to Restore Theme and Remove Quick Launch
Use the classic Look and Feel settings to manually reapply the default Office theme and disable the left navigation panel.
Modern SharePoint sites sometimes retain legacy settings when configured through the classic interface. Navigating to the classic Look and Feel menu allows you to override these stubborn navigation elements.
Click the Gear icon in the top right corner of your SharePoint site, select 'Site information', and then click 'View all site settings' at the bottom.
Under the 'Look and Feel' section, click on 'Change the look'. Select the default 'Office' theme and apply it to restore the standard colors and fonts.
Go back to the Site Settings page. Under 'Look and Feel', click on 'Navigation Elements'. Clear the checkbox next to 'Enable Quick Launch' and click OK to save your changes.
Create a New Site Page as the Home Page
If adjusting the navigation elements does not remove the left panel, creating a fresh modern site page and setting it as the home page can reset the layout.
Experience a Lightweight Microsoft Office Alternative for Your Documents
While SharePoint handles your site administration and team intranets, you still need a reliable office suite to edit the documents hosted there. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office for creating, editing, and collaborating on your essential files.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office documents with seamless formatting preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Quick Launch bar still showing on a modern SharePoint site?
If a modern SharePoint site was modified using classic site features, the Quick Launch setting might be enforced by legacy layouts. Disabling it explicitly under the classic 'Navigation Elements' menu usually resolves this conflict.
Will changing the SharePoint theme affect my existing lists or documents?
No, changing the site theme via the 'Look and Feel' menu only modifies the stylistic elements such as colors, fonts, and background images. Your documents, lists, and web part data remain completely intact.
How do I access classic Site Settings if the option is missing?
If 'View all site settings' is missing from your Site Information panel, you can manually access it by appending '/_layouts/15/settings.aspx' to the end of your base SharePoint site URL in the browser address bar.
