For organizations looking to deploy custom or branded background images to Microsoft Teams, the official method requires Teams Premium licenses. However, there’s a cost-effective alternative that leverages Microsoft Intune and PowerShell to achieve the same result without the premium licensing requirement.

This guide will walk you through deploying custom Teams background images using Intune Win32 apps, making branded backgrounds available to all users in your organization.

Why This Solution?

Previously, with older versions of Teams, deploying custom backgrounds was straightforward – simply drop image files into a specific directory. With the “new” Teams (now standard), backgrounds require specific formatting:

• Specific resolution and sizing requirements
• Filenames must contain a GUID
• Proper metadata for compatibility

While the Teams Admin Console can deploy images for users with Teams Premium, this solution provides a workaround for organizations without premium licenses by automating the deployment process through Intune.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• Microsoft Intune subscription and administrative access with rights to create and deploy Win32 apps
• Target devices enrolled in Microsoft Intune
• PowerShell access on a local windows machine (without execution policy restrictions)
• Custom background images in .jpg format
• Permissions to create and deploy Win32 applications in Intune

Deployment Overview

Target Path: %LocalAppData%\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams\Backgrounds\Uploads

The process involves:

1. Preparing images in a working directory
2. Running a PowerShell script to create the Intune package
3. Uploading and configuring the Win32 app in Intune
4. Deploying to user groups

Understanding the Deployment Process

The solution uses a PowerShell script that:

1. Checks for and installs the ResizeImageModule if needed
2. Processes your custom background images
3. Resizes images to meet Teams requirements
4. Generates properly formatted filenames with GUIDs
5. Creates an .intunewin package for Intune deployment
6. Deploys images to the Teams Backgrounds folder on user devices

The images are deployed to: %LocalAppData%\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams\Backgrounds\Uploads

Step 1: Prepare Your Background Images

Place your chosen images into a working folder (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Temp). Ensure:

Image Requirements:

• Format: .jpg only
• Resolution: 1920×1080 (16:9 ratio recommended)
• Size: Under 2-5MB per image (recommended for faster deployment)
• Location: Place all .jpg files in your working directory

Teams expects both a full-resolution image and a thumbnail version, but our automation script will generate these for you in the correct format (GUID-based file names) compatible with the Teams client.

Step 2: Prepare the PowerShell Script

Create the script manually by saving the code below as CustomTeamsBg.ps1 in your working directory or click on the Download Script

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Generate Microsoft Teams custom background files and Intune Win32 App package.

.DESCRIPTION
    Automates the creation of Teams-compatible background images and packages them
    into an Intune Win32 application for enterprise deployment.

.NOTES
    File Name      : CustomTeamsBg.ps1
    Author         : Malav Lakhani
    Prerequisite   : PowerShell 5.1 or higher
    Requirements   : ResizeImageModule and IntuneWinAppUtil (auto-installed if missing)
    
.EXAMPLE
    .\CustomTeamsBg.ps1
#>

Write-Host "`nTeams Background Generator for Intune" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Write-Host "======================================`n" -ForegroundColor Cyan

# Check and install ResizeImageModule if needed
Write-Host "[1/4] Checking ResizeImageModule..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
if (!(Get-InstalledModule -Name ResizeImageModule -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
    Write-Host "      Installing ResizeImageModule..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
    Install-Module -Name ResizeImageModule -Scope CurrentUser -Force -AllowClobber
    Write-Host "      Installed" -ForegroundColor Green
}
if (!(Get-Module -Name ResizeImageModule)) {
    Import-Module ResizeImageModule -ErrorAction Stop
}
Write-Host "      Ready" -ForegroundColor Green

# Get user input
Write-Host "`n[2/4] Configuration..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
$ImageLocation = Read-Host "      Enter path to your background images folder"
$ImageName = Read-Host "      Enter description for backgrounds"

# Validate input
if (!(Test-Path -Path $ImageLocation -PathType Container)) {
    Write-Error "Path does not exist: $ImageLocation"
    exit 1
}

$jpgFiles = Get-ChildItem -Path $ImageLocation -Filter "*.jpg" -File
if (!$jpgFiles) {
    Write-Error "No .jpg files found in $ImageLocation"
    exit 1
}

Write-Host "      Found $($jpgFiles.Count) image(s)" -ForegroundColor Green

$OutputPath = "$ImageLocation\Intune"
if (!(Test-Path -Path $OutputPath)) {
    New-Item -Path $OutputPath -ItemType Directory -Force | Out-Null
}

# Create deployment script with install/uninstall support
$ScriptContent = @'
# Teams Background Deployment Script
param([switch]$Uninstall)

$TargetPath = "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams\Backgrounds\Uploads"
$ScriptDirectory = Split-Path -Parent $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path

# Auto-restart Teams if running
$TeamsRunning = Get-Process -Name "ms-teams" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if ($TeamsRunning) {
    Stop-Process -Name "ms-teams" -Force
    $RestartTeams = $true
}

if ($Uninstall) {
    # Remove deployed backgrounds
    Get-ChildItem "$ScriptDirectory\*.jpg" | ForEach-Object {
        Remove-Item "$TargetPath\$($_.Name)" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    }
    Write-Host "Backgrounds uninstalled successfully"
    exit 0
} else {
    # Create directory if it doesn't exist, then deploy backgrounds
    if (!(Test-Path -Path $TargetPath)) {
        New-Item -Path $TargetPath -ItemType Directory -Force | Out-Null
        Write-Host "Created directory: $TargetPath"
    }
    Copy-Item -Path "$ScriptDirectory\*.jpg" -Destination $TargetPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop
    Write-Host "Backgrounds deployed successfully"
    exit 0
}

# Restart Teams if it was running
if ($RestartTeams) {
    Start-Sleep -Seconds 2
    Start-Process "shell:AppsFolder\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe!MSTeams"
}
'@

# Process images
Write-Host "`n[3/4] Processing images..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
foreach ($image in $jpgFiles) {
    $guid = New-Guid
    Write-Host "      Processing: $($image.Name)" -ForegroundColor Gray
    
    # Create background (1920x1080)
    Resize-Image -InputFile $image.FullName -Width 1920 -Height 1080 `
                 -ProportionalResize $true -OutputFile "$OutputPath\$guid$ImageName.jpg"
    
    # Create thumbnail (220x158)
    Resize-Image -InputFile $image.FullName -Width 220 -Height 158 `
                 -ProportionalResize $true -OutputFile "$OutputPath\$guid$ImageName`_thumb.jpg"
}
Write-Host "      Complete" -ForegroundColor Green

# Download IntuneWinAppUtil if needed
Write-Host "`n[4/4] Creating Intune package..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
$IntuneWinUtil = "$ImageLocation\IntuneWinAppUtil.exe"

if (!(Test-Path -Path $IntuneWinUtil)) {
    Write-Host "      Downloading IntuneWinAppUtil.exe..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
    $DownloadUrl = "https://github.com/microsoft/Microsoft-Win32-Content-Prep-Tool/raw/refs/heads/master/IntuneWinAppUtil.exe"
    Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $DownloadUrl -OutFile $IntuneWinUtil -UseBasicParsing
    Start-Sleep -Seconds 2
}

# Save deployment script
$ScriptPath = "$OutputPath\DeployTeamsBg.ps1"
$ScriptContent | Out-File -FilePath $ScriptPath -Encoding UTF8 -Force

# Create .intunewin package
$ProcessArgs = "-c `"$OutputPath`" -s `"DeployTeamsBg.ps1`" -o `"$OutputPath`" -q"
Start-Process -FilePath $IntuneWinUtil -ArgumentList $ProcessArgs -NoNewWindow -Wait

# Verify completion
if (Test-Path "$OutputPath\DeployTeamsBg.intunewin") {
    Write-Host "      Package created successfully!" -ForegroundColor Green
    Write-Host "`n======================================" -ForegroundColor Cyan
    Write-Host "COMPLETE!" -ForegroundColor Green
    Write-Host "======================================" -ForegroundColor Cyan
    Write-Host "`nPackage location:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    Write-Host "$OutputPath\DeployTeamsBg.intunewin`n" -ForegroundColor White
    Write-Host "Intune Commands:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    Write-Host "  Install:   powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -NoProfile -File DeployTeamsBg.ps1 " -ForegroundColor Gray
    Write-Host "  Uninstall: powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -NoProfile -File DeployTeamsBg.ps1 -Uninstall`n" -ForegroundColor Gray
    exit 0
} else {
    Write-Error "Failed to create package"
    exit 1
}

Step 3: Run the Script

Open PowerShell as Administrator and execute:

cd "full path to your working directory" 
 
.\CustomTeamsBg.ps1 

When prompted:

1. Enter path: full path to your working directory
2. Enter description: HCMGRTeamsBG (or your preferred text)

The script will:

• Install ResizeImageModule (if needed)
• Resize images and create thumbnails
• Generate GUID-based filenames
• Download IntuneWinAppUtil.exe (if needed)
• Create the .intunewin package

Output Location: to the path you specified as the script input

Step 4: Create Win32 App in Intune

Upload .intunewin Package

1. Navigate to Intune Admin Center
2. Go to Apps > Windows > + Create
3. Select Windows app (Win32)
4. Click Select app package file
5. Browse to the Intune folder created by the script in your working directory and select DeployTeamsBg.intunewin

App Information

Program Configuration

Install Command:

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -NoProfile -File DeployTeamsBg.ps1

Uninstall Command:

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -NoProfile -File DeployTeamsBg.ps1 -Uninstall 

Settings:

• Install behavior: User
• Device restart behavior: No specific action

Requirements

• Operating system architecture: 64-bit
• Minimum operating system: Windows 10 1809 (or your requirement)

Detection Rules

Rules Format: Custom Detection Script

Create the script manually by saving the code below as AppDetectionScript.ps1 in your working directory or click Download Script:

# Teams Background file name
$FileName = "ef2a3506-c38a-4217-867a-f5e8e09256acHCMGR.jpg"

# Build full path dynamically
$FilePath = Join-Path $env:LOCALAPPDATA `
"Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams\Backgrounds\Uploads\$FileName"

if (Test-Path $FilePath) {
    Write-Host "Found ($FileName) image(s)" -ForegroundColor Green
    exit 0
} else {
    Write-Host "No Image(s) found" -ForegroundColor yellow
    exit 1
}

• Uses a lightweight PowerShell script to verify successful deployment
• Checks if the Teams background image exists in the user’s LocalAppData Teams Uploads folder
• Returns exit code 0 if the file is found (Installation Successful)
• Returns exit code 1 if the file is missing (Installation Not Detected)

Assignments

• Assign as Required to your target user groups
• Click Create to finalize.

Step 5: Monitor and Verify

Check Deployment Status

1. Go to Apps > All apps > HCMGR – Custom Teams Backgrounds
2. View Device install status or User install status
3. Monitor for successful installations

Verify User Experience

On a deployed device:

1. Open Microsoft Teams
2. Start or join a meeting
3. Click three dots (…) > Video effects and settings 
4. Select Video effects
5. Custom backgrounds should appear in the list

Note: Users may need to restart Teams if it was running during installation.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Installation Shows “Failed”

• Check detection rule configuration (verify path and filename)
• Ensure install behavior is set to “User” not “System”
• Review IntuneManagementExtension.log on the device

2. Backgrounds Don’t Appear

• Restart Teams completely (close from system tray)
• Verify files exist in: %LocalAppData%\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams\Backgrounds\Uploads
• Check file permissions

3. “Not Applicable” Status

• Teams not installed on device
• Device doesn’t meet requirements
• Device not properly enrolled in Intune

Conclusion

With this Intune-based deployment method, you can centrally roll out branded Microsoft Teams background images to your Windows devices without purchasing Teams Premium. The steps above leverage community scripting and common Intune packaging techniques to deliver a scalable and manageable solution.

Happy deploying!