Configure Photo Screensaver via Active Directory Group Policy

Shaun VermaakCOG Lead Engineer
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My name is Shaun Vermaak and I have always been fascinated with technology and how we use it to enhance our lives and business.
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This article explains the steps required to use the default Photos screensaver to display branding/corporate images


1) On reference computer, configure the default Photo screensaver including location. This is done because this value is stored as an encrypted value within the Registry. In the article C:\Windows\Branding\Dundermifflin is used.

1.jpg2) Open Regedit and browse to HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Slideshow\Screensaver and record value for EncryptedPIDL

2.jpg3) Store images that will be used for the screensaver in a network location The Domain DFS is perfect for small files like these

5.jpg4) Create a new policy and add the EncrypedPIDL registry value to User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Registrynew3.png5) From the Common tab enable the Remove the item when it is no longer applied option

4.jpg6) Add the images to  User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Files. The Source File(s) should be the network location used in Step 3.

 TIP: Press F3 to open Variable Reference List

6.jpg7) For the Destination File, specify filename with location from Step 1

7.jpg8) From the Common tab enable the Remove the item when it is no longer applied option

8.jpg9) Configure the rest of the policy as per norm for screensaver.

9.jpg10) For the Force specific screen saver specify %Systemroot%\System32\PhotoScreensaver.scr

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Shaun VermaakCOG Lead Engineer
CERTIFIED EXPERT
My name is Shaun Vermaak and I have always been fascinated with technology and how we use it to enhance our lives and business.

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