windows 8 - How do I automatically change the lock screen image?

18
2014-04
  • George Duckett

    Is it possible to automatically change background image of the lock screen.

    For example having it pick a random image from my Pictures library, or some online source each time it's displayed or maybe changing per day?

    • Answers
  • KronoS

    enter image description here

    Bing My Lockscreen (currently released with more updates coming) is doing exactly this with the Bing Photos.

    enter image description here

    Bing My Lockscreen allows you to select from the eight most recent Bing images and quickly select which of them to set your lock screen to use.

    In addition Bing My Lockscreen allows you to automatically have your lockscreen updated daily with the latest image from Bing - thus ensuring a constant supply of inspiring and interesting new content for you!

    Note: This is a submission to the apptivate.ms contest. Help support him and give him a "thumbs up"


    • Related Question

    How can I change the lock screen in Windows 8 that appears for the default user?
  • Mark Allen

    This is about Windows 8 RTM.

    How can I change the lock screen in Windows 8 that appears after connecting to the machine via RDP?

    You can change your lock screen for your user account like so:

    1. Hit the Windows key.
    2. Right click your user name in the upper right hand corner, choose Change Account Picture.
    3. Click Lock Screen, choose a new picture.

    However, if you then connect to the computer where you've done this from another computer via RDP, using the same account, the physical machine you've connected to will display the "default" user lock screen - a stylized Space Needle / Seattle picture. It's not a bad picture, but I'd like to change it.


    • Related Answers
  • magicandre1981

    MS released an update to allow this without any hacks:

    Win8: How to Manage the Lock Screen Image on Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2787100/en-us

    The update “Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 cumulative update: November 2012” adds functionality to the Control Panel group polices that allow an administrator to designate a lock screen image on their Windows 8 and Windows 2012 computers. This setting lets you specify the default lock screen image shown when no user is signed in, and also sets the specified images as the default for all users (it replaces the inbox default image) Some restriction apply. See the Restrictions section below.

    The new group policy is named “Force a specific default lock screen image” and can be found in this path in the group policy editor: “Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\Personalization”

  • Edward Brey

    Found it.

    c:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\SystemData\S-1-5-18\ReadOnly\LockScreen_Z\

    Replace the picture in there with your custom background picture. It must match the name of the current background picture (for me, it's LockScreen___1680_1050.jpg). Logoff (or restart) to see the result.

    NOTE You may have to take ownership (or grant yourself permission) to view the contents of the SystemData folder and it's subfolders.

    Credit goes to someone named Brian Michael Reed posting here: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-GB/w8itprogeneral/thread/82e7ae0f-1b6e-4d04-ae05-8278911af3e2

  • theprofessor

    Go to the "setting" tabs on the right. Click personalizations. Your LOCK SCREEN image should be there with about 5 more choice from which you may choose. You may also browse for other pictures you may hav on your computer of other devices connected.