Change Windows 7/8/10/11 Wallpaper

What the wallpaper configuration Worklet does

This Automox Worklet™ changes the desktop wallpaper for every user profile on a Windows endpoint. The Worklet copies a wallpaper image file to a designated directory, then updates the Windows registry to apply the wallpaper to all user profiles, including both loaded and unloaded user hives.

The Worklet uses PowerShell to enumerate all users on the endpoint by querying the registry for user security identifiers (SIDs), then applies wallpaper settings to each user account. It handles both active user sessions and offline user profiles by temporarily loading unloaded registry hives when necessary.

The Worklet examines registry keys including HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows. UID) | Out-Null", "Get-ItemProperty", and "Get-ChildItem".

Why standardize desktop wallpapers across your environment

Corporate branding and visual consistency across your endpoint fleet creates professional appearances during client meetings, video conferences, and screen sharing sessions. When employees use random personal wallpapers or default Windows backgrounds, shared screens display inconsistent branding that undermines your organization's professional image. First impressions matter in client-facing situations.

IT teams use wallpapers to display important information like helpdesk contact numbers, security reminders, acceptable use policy notices, or emergency contact information. This information remains visible on the desktop where users see it daily, reinforcing security awareness and providing quick reference to support resources.

Some organizations need to visually distinguish endpoints by department, location, or security level. Different wallpapers for development, production, and testing environments help prevent accidental work in wrong environments. Color-coded or labeled wallpapers reduce configuration errors and provide instant visual confirmation of endpoint purpose.

Group Policy-based wallpaper deployment can be complex to configure, requires Active Directory infrastructure, and may not work reliably in workgroup environments or for endpoints that rarely connect to domain controllers. A Worklet-based approach works across any Windows endpoint regardless of domain membership or GPO infrastructure.

How wallpaper deployment works

1. Evaluation phase: The Worklet checks whether the wallpaper file exists in the configured directory path (default: C:\Wallpaper). This determines whether the remediation phase needs to copy the image file.

2. Remediation phase: The Worklet creates the wallpaper directory if needed, copies the image file to the target directory, then locates all user profiles on the endpoint. For each user, it updates three registry keys under HKEY_USERS\{SID}\Control Panel\Desktop: Wallpaper (sets the image path), TileWallpaper (set to 0 for no tiling), and WallpaperStyle (set to 10 for fit to screen). The Worklet loads offline user hives temporarily to apply settings to users who are not currently logged in.

Wallpaper deployment requirements

• Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 operating system

• PowerShell 2.0 or later

• Administrative privileges to modify registry settings and create directories

• Wallpaper image file (JPG, PNG, or BMP) accessible from the source path specified in the Worklet parameters

• Sufficient disk space in C:\Wallpaper directory to store the image file

Expected wallpaper state after remediation

The Windows wallpaper changes to the image you specified in the Worklet parameters. The new wallpaper appears on all desktops and applies to all user accounts on the endpoint. The wallpaper fills the screen according to the fit style you configured (Fill, Fit, Stretch, Tile, Center, or Span for multi-monitor setups).

The wallpaper persists across user logouts and system reboots. It remains active until you run another wallpaper change Worklet or until a user manually changes their wallpaper through Windows Settings. For environments where you want to prevent user changes, combine this Worklet with Group Policy restrictions on wallpaper customization.

Users see the new wallpaper immediately on their next login or after the next Windows Explorer restart. Depending on your Worklet implementation, users might see the wallpaper change in real-time if Windows Explorer is restarted as part of the deployment process.

You can verify the wallpaper by checking the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\Wallpaper on the endpoint. The value shows the full path to the wallpaper image file. The desktop background displays your organization's chosen image.

How to validate change windows 7/8/10/11 wallpaper changes

1. Run this Worklet on a pilot Windows endpoint and review evaluation output for change windows 7/8/10/11 wallpaper.

2. Confirm Automox activity logs show successful completion and exit code 0.

3. Verify endpoint state using checks aligned to evaluation script logic, such as the evaluation and remediation scripts.

4. Validate remediation effects from script operations such as Test-Path, Copy-Item, Get-ItemProperty, then rerun evaluation for compliance.