Lock Screen Background Image - Set Default in Windows 8

How to Set a Default Lock Screen Background Image for All Users in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
In Windows 8 and 8.1 there are two "Lock" screens.
  • The user lock screen is the one that displays when a user locks the PC while still signed in to Windows, and when the user is selected on the sign in screen, times out, and returns to the lock screen. Each user is able to change their lock screen background image to an image of their choice.
  • The default Lock screen image is the one that displays when there are no users currently signed in to Windows or selected on the sign in screen.
This tutorial will show you how to specify a default lock screen background image for all users in Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise, and Windows 8.1 Enterprise.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do any of the options in this tutorial.

Note   Note
This will specify and override both the default lock screen background image that shows when no users are signed in, and the lock screen set by users the displays while they are signed in.

Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise or Windows Server 2012 can use this group policy (GP) via Domain GP or via local GP.

Windows 8/8.1 Pro can also be a target of the GP if the machine is joined to a domain

Windows 8 Customizing the Default Lock Screen

This will not work in the Windows 8/8.1 or Windows RT/RT 8.1 editions.





OPTION ONE

To Specify a Default Lock Screen Background Image in Group Policy


1. From your Start screen, start typing gpedit.msc and press Enter when finished.​
NOTE: You could also press Windows+R to open the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and click/tap on OK.​
2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.​
3. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Control Panel, and open Personalization. (see screenshot below)​
Windows_8_Default_Lock_Screen-1.jpg
4. In the right pane of Personalization, double click/tap on Force a specific default lock screen image. (see screenshot above)​
5. Do step 6, 7, or 8 below for what you would like to do.​
6. To Let Users Set their Lock Screen Background Image
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 7B)​
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.​
B) If you previously did step 8 below, then you may wish to also enable users to be able to change their lock screen background image.​
C) Go to step 9 below.​
7. To Set Default Lock Screen Background Image when No User is Signed In
NOTE: This is to only specify a default lock screen background image when there is not a user signed in.​
A) Select (dot) Enabled, type in the full path of the image file, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: Do not have the full path in quotes. It will not work if you do.​
B) If you previously did step 8 below, then enable users to be able to change their lock screen background image.​
C) Go to step 9 below.​
Windows_8_Default_Lock_Screen-2.jpg
8. Set Default Lock Screen Background Image when User is Signed In or Not
NOTE: This is to specify a default lock screen background image whether there is a user signed in or not.​
A) Do step 7A above.​
C) Go to step 9 below.​
9. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.​




OPTION TWO

To Specify a Default Lock Screen Background Image in Registry Editor



NOTE: This option is the manual method of OPTION ONE above.
1. Press the Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and click/tap on OK.​
2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.​
3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: If you do not have the Personalization key in the left pane, then right click on the Windows key, click/tap on New and Key, type Personalization, and press Enter.​
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
Windows_8_Default_Lock_Screen-3.jpg
4. Do step 5, 6, or 7 below for what you would like to do.​
5. To Let Users Set their Lock Screen Background Image
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) In the right pane of Personalization, right click on the LockScreenImage string value if there, and click on Delete. (see screenshot below step 3)​
B) Click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)​
Windows_8_Default_Lock_Screen-5.jpg
C) If you previously did step 7 below, then you may wish to also enable users to be able to change their lock screen background image.​
D) Go to step 8 below.​
6. To Set Default Lock Screen Background Image when No User is Signed In
NOTE: This is to only specify a default lock screen background image when there is not a user signed in.​
A) In the right pane of Personalization, double click\tap on the LockScreenImage string value to modify it. (see screenshot below step 3)​
NOTE: If you do not have the LockScreenImage string value in the left pane (not there by default), then right click on an empty area in the right pane, click/tap on New and String Value, type LockScreenImage, and press Enter.​
B) Type in the full path of the image file, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: Do not have the full path in quotes. It will not work if you do.​
Windows_8_Default_Lock_Screen-4.jpg
C) If you previously did step 7 below, then enable users to be able to change their lock screen background image.​
D) Go to step 8 below.​
7. Set Default Lock Screen Background Image when User is Signed In or Not
NOTE: This is to specify a default lock screen background image whether there is a user signed in or not.​
A) Do steps 6A and 6B above.​
C) Go to step 8 below.​
8. You can now close Registry Editor if you like.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • lsc82.png
    lsc82.png
    28.8 KB · Views: 473
  • Lock_Screen.jpg
    Lock_Screen.jpg
    57.9 KB · Views: 338
Last edited:
I have aWindows 8 standard and gpedit was non-existent.
Your solution worked
I am very satisfied French:thumbsup:

Thank you again. I very much appreciate your assistance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    eight and seven
You're most welcome Joli, and welcome to Eight Forums. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thank you!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
You're welcome Art. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
[To BRINK]
Hi bro,I have a problem with windows 8 professional x64:I can not change lock screen image,when I select my favorite image it changes with selected[in preview window],but when I sign out, I get the default lock screen image,I don't know what to do,help me please.Thank you in advance :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 10Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer TravelMate 5760G
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 2330M 2.20MHz[4 Logical CPUs]
    Motherboard
    Acer TravelMate 5760G
    Memory
    Dual DDR3 SDRAM 4GB 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GT 540M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LED
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 5400rpm
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Eset Smart Security 9
Hello Gelashvili,

There are two lock screens in Windows 8. One used for the specific user while signed in, and a default one for all users when no user is signed in.

Unfortunately, the one for all users in this tutorial can only be done in Windows 8 Enterprise.

Since you have Windows 8 Pro, you will only be able to change the lock screen for your user account while you are signed in. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello Gelashvili,

There are two lock screens in Windows 8. One used for the specific user while signed in, and a default one for all users when no user is signed in.

Unfortunately, the one for all users in this tutorial can only be done in Windows 8 Enterprise.

Since you have Windows 8 Pro, you will only be able to change the lock screen for your user account while you are signed in. :(
Hi bro,Your instruction is right,but didn't work for me and that's why I have found another way to change the lock screen:First of all,I have to say,that I have acer laptop-travelmate 5760G[I think it's neccesary].
The second:I downloaded updated BIOS from acer official webpage and updated the BIOS version[If you decide to do the same,that I have done,update the BIOS even the versions are "slightly same",for example:if you have BIOS version 1.8.0 and 1.8.1 it's recomended to make update :) ],and then... I got crazy result,I solved the problem by this way,so I think it's the best way to solve the problem :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 10Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer TravelMate 5760G
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 2330M 2.20MHz[4 Logical CPUs]
    Motherboard
    Acer TravelMate 5760G
    Memory
    Dual DDR3 SDRAM 4GB 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GT 540M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LED
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 5400rpm
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Eset Smart Security 9
I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted, but I'm not sure what the BIOS update has to do with the lock screen background image though. Do you mean the boot splash screen instead of the lock screen?

You might check to see if you may have some program included by Acer that is controlling the lock screen image.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
The gpedit.msc method also works in Windows 8 Pro 64-bit. We use this at work and I was able to make the change before going Enterprise from Pro (it's not really an upgrade). I didn't try the regedit method on Pro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise and Pro
Hello lucidgreen, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Thank you for the confirmation. The regedit methos is just the manual way of doing the gpedit method. I through it in mostly for reference for those that like to play in the Registry Editor. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
This all works fine for me. I can select an image for use. But then it just does not change the default wallpaper when I restart the computer. I have Windows 8 Pro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8300
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2320 @ 3GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0Y2MRG
    Memory
    6 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    1024 MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer S232HL
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    932GB ARRAY0 (RAID)
    Keyboard
    Dell USB Multimedia Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Internet Speed
    17.81Mbps (Download), 2.84Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
Hello Sean, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Unfortunately this would only work if your Windows 8 Pro it's joined to a domain that has this policy set in it. Otherwise this will only work locally in Windows 8 Enterprise. :(

UPDATE: OPTION ONE can be used now.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Back
Top