[SOLUTION] Black Desktop Image after applying Desktop Image via Group Policy

[EJWill]

In Windows 7, group policy that is set to change the users desktop image, can on some occassions be rendered black. Regardless of using Active Desktop or not.

 

For some of us that have experienced this annoying "Feature", I have come across a simple solution that solves this issue. Last I heard MS was creating a hotfix to sort this problem out.

 

Using Server 2008 style group policy preference settings we can modify the registry settings much more easily. You can create this registry setting by modifying the group policy directly on the 2008 server or using Win 7's Group Policy Management.

 

User/Computer configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Registry

 

Create an registry setting to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\ and modify the value Wallpaper (Value type: REG_SZ) to the location of your background picture.

 

That should then display the desktop background correctly.

Edited January 20, 2010 by EJWill

[Rydra]

Is there a similar way to do this, but to allow the windows 7 Themes?

 

Server 2003 atm, windows 7.

[FragglePete]

Stumbled across this today also. Had an initial problem with the 'Welcome' screen staying up for 30 seconds when a user logged in. Problem only occurs if you have a solid colour background set as wallpaper instead of the picture. Hotfix available from MicroSoft to solve that particular issue, but as for the wallpaper issue, yep solution above fixes it.

 

Pete

[dhoward_westexetc]

In Windows 7, group policy that is set to change the users desktop image, can on some occassions be rendered black. Regardless of using Active Desktop or not.

 

For some of us that have experienced this annoying "Feature", I have come across a simple solution that solves this issue. Last I heard MS was creating a hotfix to sort this problem out.

 

Using Server 2008 style group policy preference settings we can modify the registry settings much more easily. You can create this registry setting by modifying the group policy directly on the 2008 server or using Win 7's Group Policy Management.

 

User/Computer configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Registry

 

Create an registry setting to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\ and modify the value Wallpaper (Value type: REG_SZ) to the location of your background picture.

 

That should then display the desktop background correctly.

 

Wondered what that was! I thought it was because the test PC I had wasn't running DirectX (because it was using the standard windows graphics drivers as there aren't any proper drivers for the 865GM graphics controller).

 

Cool, have to bear that in mind then. Hope Microsoft release the hotfix in time for SP1 though!

[Scottyboy99]

I think it's about time MS sorted this with a Hotfix. Very annoying.

[Scottyboy99]

Hotfix: The "Desktop Wallpaper" Group Policy setting is not applied in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2

[EJWill]

Hotfix: The "Desktop Wallpaper" Group Policy setting is not applied in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2

 

Very much an ask and you shall recieve double take there It's just a shame that they haven't fixed it for standard 2008 Server.

 

Windows 7 Enterprise

Windows 7 Professional

Windows 7 Ultimate

Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard

Windows HPC Server 2008 R2

[featured_spectre]

does that mean I have to install the hotfix on the PCs and the server?

[featured_spectre]

This has just crippled my desktops. I blitzed it around via GPO, and now all the screens come up blank, including the admin one! GRRR!!

[featured_spectre]

I managed to roll back all but 1 PC, which I will have to re-image, not a big hassle, but still a pain in the backside

[AIT]

here is a nicer way of doing it from our own forums:

 

Setting Group Policy - Desktop Wallpaper - Advanced IT Services Forum

 

using group policy.

[dhoward_westexetc]

I tried it on my test machine and I had no issues with it, wallpaper came up fine. All it did was switch my libraries back on again! Not sure why, but there you go.

[featured_spectre]

I wonder why I am having an issue...its odd...