Specify Default Desktop Background in Windows 10  

After multiple failed attempts, the only way I managed to make this work is by saving a Theme and then importing it for new users. This way the background is set and users can change it at any time.

After reading multiple articles it seems the "proper" way (according to Microsoft) is to edit the registry key below:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
Wallpaper ="C:\Path-to-image\image.jpg"

When I change this Wallpaper string for an existing user, the wallpaper is set correctly on next reboot. The problem is that when I add the changes to the NTUSER.DAT file for the Default user, this particular string is not copied over when a new user is created. I have multiple registry settings that do transfer properly using the same method for HKCU, so I'm not sure why this particular key is not being copied, especially when the instructions come from MS... I guess is some kind of a glitch.

All other options are preventing the user from changing the background, which we don't want to do.

This is what worked for me:
- create a new local user and login
- copy the wallpaper file to some place accessible for everyone like 'C:\Users\Public\Pictures\wallpaper.jpg'
- set this image as your current wallpaper - don't make any other changes
- go to Settings -> Personalization - Themes and save the Theme with any name
- copy the newly created theme from "C:\Users\your_user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes" to the same public folder 'C:\Users\Public\Pictures\custom.theme'
- Add the following key to the registry
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
ThemeFile = C:\Users\Public\Pictures\custom.theme

All new users will have this theme set as default, and the wallpaper is applied properly with the option to change it if they choose to do so

Only side-effect of this method is that the Recycle Bin will already have one item inside when the new user is created (the theme file)

Hope this makes sense and will be helpful for anyone looking for the same settings.

If anyone knows why some settings are not being copied from the NTUSER.DAT for new users please let me know - I would rather do it that way rather than playing around with themes

Thanks!

I am (was) in the same situation as @zyraxes with setting a theme for new profiles that was not permanent. Go through all of Microsoft's guides with GPOs, copying folders, setting registry entries, editing "Default User" hive, and even unattended file. NOTHING! Very frustrating to say the least. I'm wondering if there is another registry value that needs to be edited in the default NTUSER.DAT to help preserve the wallpaper value when creating a new profile. This was something I ran into for the "News and Interests" widget value not carrying over for new profiles (I posted this in the corresponding tread).

@zyraxes's suggestion is a quick and dirty approach, which for those that are content with it, perfectly fine.

I on the other hand am a little lazier. 2 things with his solution, the recycle bin, as mentioned, and, the background picture file.
You have to keep track of that file, can't rename it, can't move it. Permanently there, unless you do all those steps from the beginning again. If I ever have to make a change, or that picture file gets deleted by mistake (you could hide it elsewhere, but still), too many possible "oopies." Again, this is my approach, lazy, and don't want to think about it.

Active Setup is what I found as another way.

• Can use the deskthemepack file container that is created when you save a theme. Doesn't matter where and how you do it, deskthemepack does everything for you.
• Desktop image file is self contained in deskthemepack, you don't have to mess with it.
• Gets loaded during profile setup, your custom command
• Can run deskthemepack from a network share. Or, get really fancy and have it part of a batch/ps1
• Everything is saved to the user's profile, so no way of affecting any other account
• Empty recycle bin

**NOTE:
Unregistered Windows will not load the background picture, will load all the theme settings and the picture is there, just have to do an extra command to set the background.

deskthemepack uses this path: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\<My Theme>

Only the first 9 characters

Create a new key:
HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\<My Custom Key>

Add String value "StubPath" in newly created key
Value of "StubPath" is your command to execute. It can be as simple as the (network) path to your deskthemepack file.