Windows – Set Desktop Wallpaper From Central Server Share

KB ID 0001280

Problem

You have a corporate wallpaper, and you want to set it as the desktop wallpaper on all your machines.

Solution

Firstly make sure you have some wallpaper!

Wallpaper via GPO

Create a hidden, (with a $ on the end) share on your server, set the share permissions to Everyone = Read.

Wallpaper Folder share

On the security tab make sure ‘Domain Users’ have read, and I would add in administrators with full control to be on the safe side.

Wallpaper Folder NTFS Permissions

Now create and link a new GPO to the OU that contains the USERS you want to deploy this policy to.

Wallpaper GPO

Edit the policy.

Edit Group Policy

Navigate to;

User Configuration  > Policies > Administrative Templates > Desktop > Desktop > Desktop Wallpaper

Group Policy Wallpaper

Enable the Policy > Set the UNC path to your wallpaper file i.e. \\Server-name\Share-name$\Wallpaper-name.jpg > set the wallpaper type to fill.

Note: ‘Fill’, will get around most subtle changes in screen resolution, but I suggest you test it, and make sure you are happy.

Desktop Wallpaper GPO

Then wait for the policy to apply or force it on the clients.

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

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Author: PeteLong

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2 Comments

  1. exactly what I was looking for 🙂 thanks for the article
    any known issues with combination of bginfo?
    can I also forbid useres to change the corporate wallpaper by gpo?

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