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

In Windows 8 and 8.1 there are two "Lock" screens.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do any of the options in this tutorial.
- 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.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do any of the options in this tutorial.

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.
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)
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.
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
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)
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.
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
Related Tutorials
- How to Change Your Lock Screen Background Image in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Change the Default Lock Screen Background Image in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Enable or Disable the Lock Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Enable or Disable Changing the Lock Screen Background Image in Windows 8
- How to Change the Lock Screen Timeout Period in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Turn On or Off the Lock Screen Slide Show in Windows 8.1
- Set Desktop, Lock, and Start Background to Show Image or Solid Color in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Change Lock Screen Clock Time Format in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Change Lock Screen Clock Date Language in Windows 8 and 8.1
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