Desktop Background - Specify and Prevent Change

Brink · 12 Apr 2012

Hello Linty, and welcome to Seven Forums.

On a local computer not connected to a domain, the tutorial will work for all users using either option.

However, I'm not sure how it works within a domain, but I would think that you would need to set it through the domain's group policy. You may also need to use a a UNC path, such as \\Server\Share\Corp.jpg for the wallpaper instead of just a normal local path. I wish I could help more, but I do not have much experience with domains.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Netva · 15 Apr 2013

Hi. Unfortunately in Windows 8 "Home" only works in administrator account. In local accounts does not work. Any suggestion?

Brink · 15 Apr 2013

Hello Netva, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, you must be logged in as an administrator to be able to set this for all users.

Since you have the "Windows 8" edition, you will need to use step 4 in OPTION TWO. Be sure to also restart the computer to apply.

Hope this helps for now, :)
Shawn

Netva · 15 Apr 2013

Thanks Brink for give a speedy response, but I think I didnt explain well the case

. Indeed, I follow the step 4 "To Specify a Desktop Background and Prevent Changing it for All Users" ... and only works when I'm in administrator account. When I use the other accounts (guest's accounts) that I have created does not work, and the user may change desktop, both in pc or in web browser. I also try to desactive desktop throught registry
(Navigated to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
Right-clicked on Policies > New > KEY > named it as “ActiveDesktop”.

Then right-clicked (RHP) > New > DWORD > name it as “NoChangingWallPaper”>set value 1) but it didnt work either.

Cheers.

Brink · 15 Apr 2013

Netva,

I just tested this some more, and it indeed does indeed apply this policy to guest accounts for whatever reason, but does so for all other account types.

If you like, a workaround would be to turn off guest accounts, and make them a standard user account to use instead. This account would not be able to change the desktop background.

00Lakes · 04 Mar 2015

Hi. Very useful. I'm new here, but have a question which may prove useful to others;

Using Option#2 - could we set a SlideShow string value (or multi string value?).

Or another way to specify a set of slide show wallpapers for all users? Thanks,

Brink · 04 Mar 2015

Hello 00Lakes, and welcome to Seven Forums.

That would be nice, but unfortunately this policy will only work to specify a single image as the desktop wallpaper.

If you like, you could place all the images you would like to share will all users in say the "C:\Users\Public\Pictures" folder for them to be able to select to use for their slideshow.

Desktop Background - Specify and Prevent Change

No works in Windows 8

Slide Show for All Users