# How to Change the Default Lock Screen Image using GPO

## Step-by-step: How to Change the Default Lock Screen Image using GPO

This example below will demonstrate how to change the default lock screen image in client PC running Windows 10 [**Enterprise or Education editions**](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/group-policies-for-enterprise-and-education-editions). Client PC is joined to the domain asaputra.com with **[domain controller installed in Windows Server 2012 R2](https://www.mustbegeek.com/install-domain-controller-in-windows-server-2012/ "Install Domain Controller in Windows Server 2012")** named asaputra-dc1. Image file used for lock screen is named LockscreenMBG.jpg and saved in a shared folder in the DC with UNC path \\\\**asaputra-dc1\\DomainShared\\LockscreenMBG.jpg**.

**1. Ensure the image file is accessible**  
Make sure that the targeted users has at least read access on the folder sharing properties and able to see the image file.

[![How-to-Change-the-Default-Lock-Screen-Image-using-GPO-1.png](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/scaled-1680-/ErnB7N3JOnd6H31Y-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-1.png)](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/ErnB7N3JOnd6H31Y-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-1.png)

**2. Creating the Group Policy Object**  
In this example, a new policy object named “**Global Branding**” is created on the Group Policy Management Console.

<div class="code-block code-block-4" id="bkmrk--1">  
  
</div>[![How-to-Change-the-Default-Lock-Screen-Image-using-GPO-2.png](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/scaled-1680-/kOhkx9be8D009Y38-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-2.png)](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/kOhkx9be8D009Y38-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-2.png)

The setting that we must apply is named “**Force a specific default lock screen image**” and it is located at **Computer Configuration &gt; Policies &gt; Administrative Templates &gt; Control Panel &gt; Personalization**. Double click the setting name to configure it.

[![How-to-Change-the-Default-Lock-Screen-Image-using-GPO-3.png](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/scaled-1680-/ERGzUtmqRa9hLZcg-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-3.png)](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/ERGzUtmqRa9hLZcg-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-3.png)

**3. Specify the lock screen image location**  
After set it to **Enabled**, type the network path where the image file resides.

[![How-to-Change-the-Default-Lock-Screen-Image-using-GPO-4.png](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/scaled-1680-/bVWcn2JXK6oJE38K-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-4.png)](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/bVWcn2JXK6oJE38K-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-4.png)

**4. Apply the GPO to Computer OU**  
Since the policy applies to computer, then we must link the GPO to the OU where the computer is resides.

[![How-to-Change-the-Default-Lock-Screen-Image-using-GPO-5.png](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/scaled-1680-/zyxpeU1RTu3kAoCS-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-5.png)](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/zyxpeU1RTu3kAoCS-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-5.png)

**5. Verify the result on client computer**  
When the policy is refreshed, you can try **signing out** or **lock the computer** to see the new lock screen image being applied.

Before

[![How-to-Change-the-Default-Lock-Screen-Image-using-GPO-6.png](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/scaled-1680-/pHM1aegYSB1jyDm6-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-6.png)](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/pHM1aegYSB1jyDm6-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-6.png)

After

[![How-to-Change-the-Default-Lock-Screen-Image-using-GPO-7.png](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/scaled-1680-/ZRRQ6ik4fyRcMS7l-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-7.png)](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/ZRRQ6ik4fyRcMS7l-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-7.png)

## Troubleshooting Tips

We can always force the GPO to update right away by using command **gpupdate /force** on command prompt. When this GPO is applied successfully it will create a registry value named **LockScreenImage** in **HKLM\\Software\\Policies\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Personalization** containing the image file path.

[![How-to-Change-the-Default-Lock-Screen-Image-using-GPO-8.png](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/scaled-1680-/jRNOxk3254tiN1Pe-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-8.png)](https://docs.coltscomputer.services/uploads/images/gallery/2024-01/jRNOxk3254tiN1Pe-how-to-change-the-default-lock-screen-image-using-gpo-8.png)

If the path and file name is correct and accessible, then lock screen image will be applied without problem. And that’s how to change the default lock screen image using GPO.