Deploy BgInfo by Group Policy

by SinaOnline System Training

1. Download and Install BgInfo:

  • Download BgInfo from the official Microsoft Sysinternals website.
  • Extract the downloaded ZIP file and copy the BgInfo.exe and BgInfo64.exe files to a network share that is accessible to all client machines.

2. Create a Configuration File:

  • Launch BgInfo on a test machine and configure the desired settings, such as the information to display and the background color.
  • Save the configuration as a .bgi file to the same network share where you copied the BgInfo executables.

3. Create a Group Policy Object (GPO):

  • Open the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) on a domain controller or a machine with the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) installed.
  • Right-click on the desired Organizational Unit (OU) or the domain name and select “Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here.”
  • Give the GPO a descriptive name, such as “Deploy BgInfo.”

4. Edit the Group Policy Object:

  • Right-click on the newly created GPO and select “Edit.”
  • Navigate to “Computer Configuration” > “Policies” > “Windows Settings” > “Scripts (Startup/Shutdown).”
  • Double-click on “Startup” in the right pane.

5. Add a Startup Script to Run BgInfo:

  • Click on the “Add” button in the “Startup Properties” window.
  • In the “Script Name” field, enter the UNC path to the BgInfo executable (e.g., \\server\share\BgInfo.exe).
  • In the “Script Parameters” field, enter the path to the configuration file (e.g., \\server\share\config.bgi).
  • Click “OK” to save the script.

6. Copy BgInfo Files to Client Machines:

  • Ensure that the BgInfo executable (BgInfo.exe or BgInfo64.exe) and the configuration file (config.bgi) are accessible from the network share specified in the startup script.

7. Apply the Group Policy:

  • Close the Group Policy Management Editor and link the GPO to the desired OU or domain.
  • Run gpupdate /force on client machines or wait for Group Policy to apply automatically.

8. Verify Deployment:

  • Restart a client machine (or run gpupdate /force) to apply the Group Policy.
  • The system information specified in the BgInfo configuration file should be displayed on the desktop background.

By following these steps, you can deploy BgInfo using Group Policy to automatically display system information on the desktop background of Windows machines in your domain.