Windows is locked down! Can I get around this?

At work we've recently been upgraded from NT (I think) to Windows XP. The IT
people (BT) have implemented a 'group policy' which means much of the useful
functionality of Windows has been taken away.

For example, I cannot even create a new toolbar from the desktop. I found
this an extremely useful feature in the past because I often have to browse
through hundreds of folders and could see what was in them at a glance as
their contents just sprang up in a convenient list form. Now I can't do
this. Using shortcuts and having to click to open each folder slows me down
immensely. Is there any way I can get around this so I can get my toolbar
back?

In addition, it is not even possible to change the colour scheme. While this
is not a major concern, it does mean documents containing lots of screen
shots cannot be updated easily to look the same. And besides I get bored
looking at the basic Windows colours. Silly things like making my screen
pink help me get through the day! Is there anything I can do?

What is so terribly wrong with being able to change your colour scheme? And
why should stupid company policies take away useful Windows functionality
such as toolbars? Indeed why does Microsoft allow its products to be
tampered with in this way by dictatorial IT people who just want everything
to look bland and standard?!?!? Rant rant rant.