GPO tool

Group Policy made searchable

A free ADMX browser or comparison tool for IT administrators.Search policies, find registry keys, and see exactly what each setting writes to the Windows Registry. Or compare two GPO backups to see exactly what has changed between them.

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Prevent changing desktop background

Prevents users from adding or changing the background design of the desktop.

By default, users can use the Desktop Background page in the Personalization or Display Control Panel to add a background design (wallpaper) to their desktop.

If you enable this setting, none of the Desktop Background settings can be changed by the user.

To specify wallpaper for a group, use the "Desktop Wallpaper" setting.

Note: You must also enable the "Desktop Wallpaper" setting to prevent users from changing the desktop wallpaper. Refer to KB article: Q327998 for more information.

Also, see the "Allow only bitmapped wallpaper" setting.

Registry Information

VendorMicrosoft
ProductControl Panel Display
CategoryPersonalization
Applies toUser Configuration
Supported onWin2k
Registry Key[HKCU]SoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesActiveDesktop
Value NameNoChangingWallPaper
TypeREG_DWORD