How to Disable Lock Screen and Login Image Using GPO on Windows

Last updated: Nov 9, 2024

Let's take a look at how to disable the lock screen image using Group Policy.

This configuration is particularly useful on servers to improve the connection experience, especially in environments with slow Internet access.

⚠️Note: this method only applies to Windows Server and Windows Enterprise or LTSC editions.⚠️

Edit Local Group Policy

Open the Local Group Policy Editor:

Windows Run dialog box with gpedit.msc typed in for opening Group Policy Editor

Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization:

Group Policy Editor showing the Force a specific default lock screen and logon image setting under Personalization

Edit Force a specific default lock screen and logon image and set a fake image location:

Group Policy setting for Force a specific default lock screen and logon image with Enabled option selected and image path specified

Before applying the strategy

Windows lock screen displaying a scenic beach view with the time and date shown

After applying the strategy

Windows lock screen with a plain blue background, showing the time and date