Using GPO to enforce common dekstop environment

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hello,

I have been wracking my brain trying to figure this one out and wanted to
share my findings to see if anyone else is having this trouble and if there
is a fix for it.

I am trying to enforce a common desktop environment that is very locked down
so as NOT to include ANY icons on the desktop, only certain applications are
available, and users cannot access any computer settings. I have everything
working EXCEPT for the interaction of the desktop wallpaper and the lack of
icons on the desktop.

Here is what I have found:
If I apply the GPO "Hide and Disable all items on the desktop" under user
config, admin templates, desktop then my active desktop wallpaper does not
apply (I have the wallpaper set under user config, admin templates, desktop,
active desktop). The strange part is, if i turn off the hide and disable all
items, then disable the individual icons (my computer, ie, network, etc) and
leave JUST ONE icon, the wallpaper works. As soon as I remove that one icon,
it reverts back to the windows standard blue screen background.

Has anyone seen this or have a fix?
 
I have never tried to lockdown to that extent but I heard that GP settings
do not work real well as you are experiencing. If you are in a domain
environment you could look at using mandatory user profiles to try if that
helps with what you want. You also can control the contents and permissions
to the desktop folders in the all users and user profiles that may help do
what you want. Keep in mind when a user logs on their desktop is combined
with what is in their user profile and the all users profile and if neither
has any shortcuts they will not have any on their desktop assuming My
Computer, etc has been removed.. --- Steve
 
I realise it's a bit late to respond to this but incase anyone else see's
this post due to problems they are having I have also come across this
problem however I was finding that it would only happen if I enabled "Remove
Recycle Bin icon from desktop" that the wallpaper would not display.
Removing My Computer wasn't an issue. Also I noticed that if you right
clicked the desktop and clicked refresh the wallpaper was there and flashed
very quickly but as if the blue screen covering it.

I haven't yet installed any service packs on server 2003 yet but I do have
service pack 2 on the winxp, not sure if this is a problem.
 
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