Managing Screensavers for Domain Users and Windows Machines
Updated: Oct 16, 2022
Managing the screensaver process can be challenging in any organization. Of course you can deploy a standard screensaver and manage the settings with group policy but that process would need to be repeated every time you want to change domain user or shared computer windows screensavers. And in all cases IT resources would be needed.
How Do I Deploy screensavers to domain users and computers with group policy (GPO)?
You do not need to use group policy to deploy and manage screensavers to all employee computers as long as they have the XComms desktop client application running and they are targeted when you send out the screensaver.
Can I send a screensaver out to all employees without getting IT involved?
Yes you can send out employees screensaver without having to get IT involved.
Login to XComms
Expand "Screensaver Manager"
Click "Add Screensaver"
Upload or drag and drop a single image, multiple images, a Power Point presentation or videos
Set idle/inactivity wait time
Set (or not) the logon options
Click "Next"
Target your individual users, machine names or groups and click "Send"
How to Apply a Screen Saver Through Group Policy in a Domain?
To send screensavers to all employees in a domain first login into XComms and navigate to your Wallpaper manager. Expand and click "New Wallpaper". Upload or drag and drop screensaver image(s),, PowerPoint presentations or video content, click "Next", target domain users, computer names or domain or custom groups and click send.
You can verify delivery in Screensaver history or analytics.
Screensaver Content Options:
Single Image
Multiple Images
Use PowerPoint for screensaver
Videos for Screensavers
How to change screensaver idle / wait time settings for domain users and computers through group policy?
Navigate to the new screensaver page and set them time in minutes in the "wait" time section.
This will determine how long a computer will be inactive before a screensaver is displayed. This will allow you to manage screensaver idle times without group policy.
How To Enable Windows Lock Screen after Inactivity with Group Policy?
Navigate to the new screensaver page and simply check the box marked "On resume, display logon screen".
This will automatically prompt a user to unlock their machine with their regular user id and password before they are brought back to their desktop.
This will allow you to manage screensaver lock settings without group policy.
How to prevent Users from changing assigned Screensavers in Windows with Group Policy?
To prevent employees from changing their screensavers and to lock screensaver change settings for users you need to make sure the screensaver lock/unlock function is enabled on the XComms client you installed.
To verify whether you have the locked version installed, try to change the screensaver manually or check your system configuration files.
Learn more about how XComms can help your organization manage your screensaver process without group policy.
