Okay...I got a stumper for you. (Regards lock-out on changing wallpaper)

palebluedot · 02-06-02, 01:55 PM

I am running windows 2000 at work. My company has locked us out from changing our wallpaper. If I right click on the desktop and click properties and go to the background tab I can't select a different background and the scroll bar for the backgrounds is disabled.

I have scoured the registry for the DWORDs "NoChangingWallpaper" and "NoDisplayBackground" (which are usually added in to do this) however I can't find those entries. So I am not sure it is a registry hack they are using to prevent changing the wallpaper.

Any ideas on this one?

Aghama · 02-06-02, 02:11 PM

Try changing the "Wallpaper" key in:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General

palebluedot · 02-06-02, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aghama
Try changing the "Wallpaper" key in:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General

Well the key for that entry is %systemroot%background.bmp

I'm not what changing that would do for me. Also that has nothing to do with not being able to choose a image file from the desktop properties menu or even use the scroll bar. I think that is the key to this whole problem.

Thanks for your suggestion though.

Aghama · 02-06-02, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by palebluedot

Well the key for that entry is %systemroot%background.bmp

Right, try either changing that to the file you're trying to make your background (.jpg's work), or put your background in that directory in place of background.bmp. A workaround if you will.

palebluedot · 02-06-02, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aghama

Right, try either changing that to the file you're trying to make your background (.jpg's work), or put your background in that directory in place of background.bmp. A workaround if you will.

Okay I changed it and I was able to load my background image. However after loging off and back on it reverted back to the forced background.

I went into the registry and edited every single entry associated with background and wallpaper and pointed to the file I wanted.

I logged off and on again and it reverted back. Whatever it is, it is deep. Hmmmm.

Also I have overwritten the forced file with my own(changed the name of mine to the forced file). I have made it read only, hidden and I have shut off permissions for it, yet it still gets overwritten when I log back on.

Dead · 02-06-02, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by palebluedot

Okay I changed it and I was able to load my background image. However after loging off and back on it reverted back to the forced background.

I went into the registry and edited every single entry associated with background and wallpaper and pointed to the file I wanted.

I logged off and on again and it reverted back. Whatever it is, it is deep. Hmmmm.

Also I have overwritten the forced file with my own(changed the name of mine to the forced file). I have made it read only, hidden and I have shut off permissions for it, yet it still gets overwritten when I log back on.

Sounds like they are using Win2000 Domain Policies to control the settings. That would explain them going back every time you log on the system.

Numanoid · 02-06-02, 03:51 PM

Sounds like they're using a System Policy (which lets them control what you can and cannot alter). The policy is usually stored on a server and loads onto the workstation at each login. Try using Internet Explorer to change the wallpaper (open the pic in IE, then right-click and choose "Set as Background"). This sometimes bypasses the policy.

palebluedot · 02-06-02, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Numanoid
Sounds like they're using a System Policy (which lets them control what you can and cannot alter). The policy is usually stored on a server and loads onto the workstation at each login. Try using Internet Explorer to change the wallpaper (open the pic in IE, then right-click and choose "Set as Background"). This sometimes bypasses the policy.

Yeah...if I right click on a picture in internet explorer and do set as wallpaper it doesn't work.

It must be a system policy. Anyway around that?

Aghama · 02-06-02, 08:51 PM

Quick & Dirty fix: stick a batch file in your startup dir.

zuffy · 02-06-02, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by palebluedot

Yeah...if I right click on a picture in internet explorer and do set as wallpaper it doesn't work.

It must be a system policy. Anyway around that?

Get domain admin rights and remove the policy or be best friend with one of the admin

zuffy · 02-06-02, 10:07 PM

I don't know if this will help or not since, if I remember correctly, domain policy over-rides local policy.
Run gpedit.msc from the the Run...
goto -->User Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Desktop --> Prevent Changing Wallpaper --> Disabled

palebluedot · 02-08-02, 10:39 AM

They are using a group policy to do this...oh well. Thanks for the responses.

Neitzl · 02-08-02, 12:24 PM

yup, local policy is overridden, it's one of the bottom level policies. I love group policies, where I work, I set it so that you can't even right click and get the context menu. There are tons more settings that I put into place that most everyone hates what I do, but I tell them to try and go around the security, and when they do, I'm sure I'll be able to fix it.

Group Policy and Fortress, hand in hand, work so well.

Neitzl

02-06-02, 01:55 PM	#1
palebluedot DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,447	Okay...I got a stumper for you. (Regards lock-out on changing wallpaper) I am running windows 2000 at work. My company has locked us out from changing our wallpaper. If I right click on the desktop and click properties and go to the background tab I can't select a different background and the scroll bar for the backgrounds is disabled. I have scoured the registry for the DWORDs "NoChangingWallpaper" and "NoDisplayBackground" (which are usually added in to do this) however I can't find those entries. So I am not sure it is a registry hack they are using to prevent changing the wallpaper. Any ideas on this one?

02-06-02, 03:51 PM	#7
Numanoid DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Down in 'The Park' Posts: 27,011	Sounds like they're using a System Policy (which lets them control what you can and cannot alter). The policy is usually stored on a server and loads onto the workstation at each login. Try using Internet Explorer to change the wallpaper (open the pic in IE, then right-click and choose "Set as Background"). This sometimes bypasses the policy. __________________ Regarding Numanoid: "...don't pay attention to that guy, he has 26455 posts and about seven of them have been useful." - Szczesny

02-08-02, 12:24 PM	#13
Neitzl DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,284	yup, local policy is overridden, it's one of the bottom level policies. I love group policies, where I work, I set it so that you can't even right click and get the context menu. There are tons more settings that I put into place that most everyone hates what I do, but I tell them to try and go around the security, and when they do, I'm sure I'll be able to fix it. Group Policy and Fortress, hand in hand, work so well. Neitzl __________________ DVDs Comics

02-06-02, 02:11 PM	#2
Aghama DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: A suburb² of Miami Posts: 5,944	Try changing the "Wallpaper" key in: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General

02-06-02, 08:51 PM	#9
Aghama DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: A suburb² of Miami Posts: 5,944	Quick & Dirty fix: stick a batch file in your startup dir.

02-06-02, 10:07 PM	#11
zuffy DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Region 1 Posts: 16,126	I don't know if this will help or not since, if I remember correctly, domain policy over-rides local policy. Run gpedit.msc from the the Run... goto -->User Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Desktop --> Prevent Changing Wallpaper --> Disabled

02-08-02, 10:39 AM	#12
palebluedot DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,447	They are using a group policy to do this...oh well. Thanks for the responses.