Disable wallpaper changes

[John Faris]

Hi all.

I have a login script that sets a specific bitmap image as wallpaper on a
specific set of PCs. I have Active Desktop disabled via group policy
(hence the use of the script to set the wallpaper) and this works great.
However, I am trying to use the "Disable changing wallpaper" GP setting
which is supposed to make the background tab of display properties visible
but disabled. But it just seems to display as normal. I have checked and
the registry setting it is changing is
HKCU/Software/Microsoft/CurrentVersion/Policies/ActiveDesktop/NoChangingWall
paper. The fact that it has active desktop in the key makes me suspect it
only applies to Active Desktop wallpapers, but I am only guessing. Can
anyone enlighten me on how this is supposed to work or how I can achieve
what I want?

Many thanks.

John.

[Mike Aubert]

Hi John,

Take a look at User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel

Display > Hide Background tab. Keep in mind that this will not prevent the

user from changing the background by other methods.

Mike

Hi all.
I have a login script that sets a specific bitmap image as wallpaper on a
specific set of PCs. I have Active Desktop disabled via group policy
(hence the use of the script to set the wallpaper) and this works great.
However, I am trying to use the "Disable changing wallpaper" GP setting
which is supposed to make the background tab of display properties visible
but disabled. But it just seems to display as normal. I have checked and
the registry setting it is changing is

HKCU/Software/Microsoft/CurrentVersion/Policies/ActiveDesktop/NoChangingWall

paper. The fact that it has active desktop in the key makes me suspect it
only applies to Active Desktop wallpapers, but I am only guessing. Can
anyone enlighten me on how this is supposed to work or how I can achieve
what I want?
Many thanks.
John.

[John Faris]

Post by Mike Aubert
Hi John,
Take a look at User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel

Display > Hide Background tab. Keep in mind that this will not prevent the

user from changing the background by other methods.
Mike

Hi Mike.

Yes I spotted this one, but I am just trying to figure out why the other
setting has no affect. Thanks for pointing that out though.

John.

[Mike Aubert]

Sorry, yes - it's because the Disable Active Desktop policy is enabled.

Have you considered using the Disable all items Active Desktop policy
instead of disabling Active Desktop?

Mike

Post by John Faris

Post by Mike Aubert
Hi John,
Take a look at User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control

Panel

Post by Mike Aubert

Display > Hide Background tab. Keep in mind that this will not prevent

the

Post by Mike Aubert
user from changing the background by other methods.
Mike

Hi Mike.
Yes I spotted this one, but I am just trying to figure out why the other
setting has no affect. Thanks for pointing that out though.
John.

[John Faris]

Post by Mike Aubert
Sorry, yes - it's because the Disable Active Desktop policy is enabled.
Have you considered using the Disable all items Active Desktop policy
instead of disabling Active Desktop?
Mike

No I hadn't. Will look into this though.

Thanks.