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MANDATORY WALLPAPER

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by methos04

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I'm trying to add mandatory desktops (WALLPAPER ECT.) to my users. We don't want them changing desktops, etc. My problem is that when I try to edit the group policy for my users, the changes don't stick. I go to the default group policy (haven't created a new one, using the default), I goto my admin templates, then desktop, then active desktop. I enable active desktop and enable active desktop wallpaper, the UNC path of the jpeg, or bitmap, then set apply. Nothing happens, the policy doesn't take. Am I missing something else? Thanks for the help!

EDWARD VILLARREAL
HORIZON TELEPHONE SYSTESM

13 replies

by timwalsh

What operating systems are your client computers using?

Windows 9x and Win NT do not understand GPOs. You must use the System Policy Editor for those operating systems to apply any sort of policy.

If your clients are using Win2K/XP, Group Policy refreshes (other than security-related policies) do not occur automatically. By default, refreshes take place at 90-minute intervals. Ther is also up to a 30 minute random offset that prevents all computers from refreshing at the exact same time. Therefore you could have up to 1 hour from the time you apply a GPO and the time it actually shows up on a given computer.

You can force a refresh by using the secedit tool. GPOs are also applied at the time of user log-on.

To force refreshusing the secedit tool, the syntax is "secedit /refreshpolicy machine_policy (or user_policy) /enforce".

You can use the gpresult.exe and gpotool.exe tools from the Win2K Server Resource kit to verify and troubleshoot GPO settings.

Hope this helps.

by methos04

Machines are win 2000, I already know it takes 90 minutes to refresh, I changed the setting to make it immediate. It's been two weeks, and things still aren't taking effect.

by methos04

I'm using win2000 pro on the client machines. I know that it takes 90 minutes, it's been a week already. Is there anyting else I need to enable to make this wallpaper work?

by deroode

When we were faced with the same problem we found that when placing the desktop wallpaper on a network share didn't work. Copying the wallpaper to the local workstation's WINNT directory, and setting the wallpaper path to the local drive made it work.

by deroode

You can of course use any form of software deployment service like SMS to get the wallpaper there. If you want the wallpaper to be read from the server make sure everyone has read rights ther (everyone meaning also not-logged in users / workstations, because at the time the wallpaper file is read the user isn't logged in yet...)

by waldekev

I use Wallpaper from network share so it does work. You need to use GPRESULT and check the GPO is actually being picked up - my guess is it will be a authentication problem ... have you got a group set up with all the required users set up in it? This needs READ and APPLY GPO ticked. Good luck - it can be a nightmare!

by henrywi

Open the saved MMC GP console GPWalkthrough, and then open the Active Directory User and Computers node.
Double-click the com domain, and then double-click the Accounts OU.
Right-click the Accounts OU, and select Properties from the context menu, and click the Group Policy tab.
Click New to create a new GPO called Default User Policies. Click New to create a new GPO called Enforced User Policies .
Select the Enforced Users Policies GPO, and click the Up button to move it to the top of the list.

an enforced GPO always takes precedence over those that are not enforced.
Select the No override setting for the Enforced User Policies GPO by double-clicking the No override column or using the Options button. The Accounts

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