How do I set a default wallpaper for all domain users in a classroom.

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Level 1

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How do I set a default wallpaper for all domain users in a classroom.

We created a computer users' terms/policies custom wallpaper that we want to set for all domain users in our college classrooms. Not a problem for our Windows users, cannot figure it out on a macOS with Sonoma. I can manually set this wallpaper when I'm logged in and it stays, but we would like for it to be the default wallpaper for anyone who logs in. All the iMacs are on a Windows domain, and they all have Sonoma (up-to-date), 27" 5k display, 64GB of RAM, 2TB SSD, i9 Intel CPU, and 16GB of AMD video memory.

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Feb 8, 2024 10:22 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

James Brickley

Level 5

5,770 points

Feb 8, 2024 1:05 PM in response to radarsmith8

What tool are you using to manage the fleet of Macs? Mac's don't respond to Microsoft Active Directory Group Policies even if they are bound to AD. Macs can only utilize kerberos tickets for authentication. All the other AD features are not implemented on macOS.

You need to use an MDM (Mobile Device Management) server, such as JAMF or Microsoft Intune along with Apple Business / School Manager.

You would create a package PKG containing the wallpaper and push the package to the Macs as well as a Configuration Profile to prevent the users from changing the configured wallpaper. You would deploy the package and the profile using an MDM. Managing Macs is similar to managing Windows but things are done a bit differently.

Here's the basic details to get you started: https://scriptingosx.com/2020/03/strategies-to-using-desktoppr/

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Answer 2

Feb 13, 2024 6:16 PM in response to radarsmith8

Not my book. The author is Armin Briegel.

Intune can certainly push a configuration profile and a script via a policy to set the wallpaper.

You should join the MacAdmins Slack.

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Answer 3

radarsmith8 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 13, 2024 10:23 AM in response to James Brickley

Thanks for the intro, James. I just purchased your book for 2 reasons. 1 - I am the only "Mac Guy" in our IT department here at Pensacola (FL) State College and our Visual Arts Department stretches my Mac-knowledge. I administer, support, and maintain about 200 or so, Macs/Apple devices currently on our Windoze network. I'm 100% sure I can and will use it. 2 - As a thank you for taking the time to help me out. Have a blessed day sir.

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Answer 4

radarsmith8 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 13, 2024 11:07 AM in response to James Brickley

Another quick question; do the contents and suggestions of your book work with Sonoma also. And to answer your question, we use Microsoft InTune for MDM

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