# Configuring Group Policy on Windows Server

Group Policy is used to define and control what users and computers can do within an Active Directory (AD) environment. It works by applying settings from Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to Organizational Units (OUs), domains, or sites.

### Prerequisites

* **Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)**: Ensure you have AD DS installed and configured on your Windows Server.
    
* **Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)**: The GPMC is included with Windows Server and is used to manage Group Policy.
    

**<mark>Step 1: Open Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)</mark>**

**Launch Server Manager**: Open Server Manager from the Start menu.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725734336844/26827736-9e19-4a31-b5d9-d13e8705d549.png align="center")

**Open GPMC**: Click on **Tools** and select **Group Policy Management**.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725613268684/a0ab76f9-0695-40b5-8a2b-4016b1102d23.png align="center")

#### **<mark>Step 2: Create a New Group Policy Object (GPO)</mark>**

1. In the Group Policy Management Console, navigate to the **Domain** or **OU** (Organizational Unit) where you want to apply the policy.
    

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725656862717/0912d3bc-cc20-47e1-ae1b-3307bfcc29a2.png align="center")

Right-click on the desired **Domain** or **OU**, and select **Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here…**.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725656776052/f5281aa6-d6db-4fb8-b630-921e284227a5.png align="center")

Name the GPO (e.g., "Wallpaper Policy") and click **OK**.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725656953126/e92406cf-59ce-4363-a626-c89d55df90d3.png align="center")

#### **<mark>Step 3: Edit the GPO to Set the Wallpaper</mark>**

Right-click on the newly created GPO and select **Edit**.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725657057705/4a9c4aa0-20c0-425b-81e1-b99095bd740e.png align="center")

In the Group Policy Management Editor, navigate to:

**User Configuration &gt; Administrative Templates &gt; Desktop &gt; Desktop &gt; Desktop Wallpaper**

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725626281295/b4261422-e65f-45a7-b1df-df22b526d751.png align="center")

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725626345456/8b0811a1-553f-49c5-b141-d2e75a2a273b.png align="center")

Double-click on **Desktop Wallpaper**.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725626411861/6107121b-0416-483b-8636-540bd4df449a.png align="center")

#### **<mark>Step 4: Configure the Wallpaper Policy</mark>**

In the **Desktop Wallpaper** settings, select **Enabled**. &gt; Under the **Wallpaper Name** field, provide the full path of the wallpaper file. This should be a network path (e.g., `\\ServerName\SharedFolder\Wallpaper.jpg`) so it is accessible to all users. &gt; Click **Apply** and **OK**.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725732692421/0a081f79-0801-4e19-9d49-e26d39609e3c.png align="center")

#### **<mark>Step 5: Update the Group Policy</mark>**

Once the policy is configured, you need to ensure that it is applied across the network.

Open **Command Prompt** as an administrator &gt; Run the following command to force the update

```plaintext
gpupdate /force
```

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725627151072/09fb4a2a-f750-4985-8278-72ca7d25552e.png align="center")

This will apply the policy and change the wallpaper for the users in the targeted domain or OU.

#### **<mark>Step 6: Verify the Policy</mark>**

After the `gpupdate` command has been run, log in to a user machine in the domain to verify that the wallpaper has changed successfully.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725627221828/4f256b1b-8b89-4c5b-a976-e7dc869d2708.png align="center")

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1725729735824/a37482d5-bf09-4dfb-b604-962a1cd1d1ae.png align="center")

### Conclusion

Using Group Policy to change the wallpaper across multiple systems is a simple and effective way to maintain a consistent look and feel in your organization. Follow the steps outlined above, and you’ll have the new wallpaper deployed across your network in no time!