Deploying Background Wallpaper to Windows Devices with Intune

Deploying a desktop wallpaper with Intune

You’ve got two clean options. If your image can live on a network/HTTP path that every device can reach, use a policy-only approach. If not, deliver the image locally first, then enforce the wallpaper policy.

Option A: Policy-only (image hosted on a reachable path)

Create the wallpaper policy (Settings catalog)

• Path: Devices → Configuration profiles → Create → Windows 10 and later → Settings catalog.

• Name: “Wallpaper—Corporate”.

• Add settings: Search “Personalization” → add:

  • Desktop background

  • Desktop background style

  • Prevent changing desktop background

• Configure:

  • Desktop background: Set to your image path (UNC or HTTPS), e.g., \\fileserver\branding\corp.jpg or https://cdn.contoso.com/wallpapers/corp.jpg.

  • Desktop background style: Choose Fill, Fit, Stretch, Tile, or Center.

  • Prevent changing desktop background: Enabled (optional).

• Assignments: Add target Azure AD groups (e.g., “All Corporate Devices”).

• Review + create: Save and monitor deployment.

Tip: Ensure devices can resolve and access the path off-network (VPN/DirectAccess) or host via a CDN with anonymous read.

Option B: Deliver image locally, then enforce policy

Step 1: Prepare the image and folder

• Image: Finalize a high‑res JPG/PNG (1920×1080 or higher).

• Target path: C:\ProgramData\Wallpapers\corp.jpg (use a stable, non-user path).

Step 2: Package a Win32 app to place the file

• Create install script (install.ps1):

  powershell

  $dest = 'C:\ProgramData\Wallpapers' New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $dest -Force | Out-Null Copy-Item '.\corp.jpg' "$dest\corp.jpg" -Force

  
  

• Detection rule (detect.ps1):

  powershell

  Test-Path 'C:\ProgramData\Wallpapers\corp.jpg' | Out-Null if ($?) { exit 0 } else { exit 1 }

  
  

• Package: Use IntuneWin packaging tool to bundle corp.jpg, install.ps1, and detect.ps1 into Wallpaper.intunewin.

• Upload: Apps → Windows → Add → Win32 app → select Wallpaper.intunewin.

• App info: Name “Wallpaper—File”.

• Program: Install command powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\install.ps1; Uninstall optional.

• Detection: Use a file existence rule or custom script exit code.

• Assignments: Required → target device/user groups.

Step 3: Enforce the wallpaper via policy

• Create profile: Devices → Configuration profiles → Create → Windows 10 and later → Settings catalog.

• Add settings: Personalization → Desktop background, Desktop background style, Prevent changing desktop background.

• Configure:

  • Desktop background: C:\ProgramData\Wallpapers\corp.jpg.

  • Style: Fill (recommended for mixed resolutions).

  • Prevent changing: Enabled (optional).

• Assignments: Same groups as the app.

• Order: Ensure the Win32 app deploys before or alongside the policy.

Lock screen (optional)

• Settings catalog: Search “Lock screen”.

• Configure: Lock screen image path (same local path or hosted URL) and prevent changes if desired.

• Assign: Same device groups.

Testing, scope, and troubleshooting

• Pilot first: Assign to a small test group—verify path access, image quality, and scaling.

• User vs device targeting: Wallpaper is a user setting; device targeting works when users sign in to targeted devices. For shared devices, prefer device groups.

• Common issues:

  • Path not reachable: Use Option B or ensure VPN/CDN access.

  • Policy not applying: Check MDM diagnostics (Settings → Accounts → Access work or school → Info → Sync), Intune device status, and Event Viewer → Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → DeviceManagement-Enterprise-Diagnostics-Provider.