Setting wallpaper via GPO - lock down wallpaper file

Question

Hi,

I'm needing to set a wallpaper file on all devices via GPO (Set desktop background and copy file GPOs).

Our users are not admins on their machines. Currently, the file is set to be copied locally from the DC to Users\Public\Pictures and the set desktop background GPO references this file/location which is working.

Some users have found that they can rename this file to something else and rename their own picture to the wallpaper name to get their original one back.

I need to place the wallpaper file in a location where it cannot be changed/renamed - is there such a place? If the user does not have permissions to the location, will it affect the file from being set as the wallpaper?

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,

Normally, when we need to prevent users to change the desktop background, we deploy a policy under User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization >“Prevent Changing Desktop Background”.

In your situation , users change the desktop background through rename the picture i would recommend you :
Put the desktop background picture into a network share folder such as :\DC1\SHAREING
Give the authenticated users read permission on the shared folder, then users can't edit any thing within this folder.

And it will not affect the file from being set as the wallpaper through GPO.

Answer 2

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. The users are on laptops - if they go home and login, the wallpaper file will not be able to load. The file needs to be on the machines locally.

Answer 3

@Fan Fan
The wallpaper file has a size limit (in KB) and resolution (pixel)?