Hello Readers, I hope you’re well.

I wrote an updated version of this post here. https://ucstatus.com/2023/06/11/updated-guidance-on-custom-backgrounds-for-your-microsoft-teams-rooms/

In this post I wanted to give you some guidlines on how to spruce up the front of room displays in your Microsoft Teams Room. The process itself is really straightforward. So lets start there.

Step 1: Make a background image

You need an image file which is exactly 3840×1080. The reason you need one that size is because the image needs to stretch across two front of room displays. Even if you only use one display, it has to be that size. In single display rooms, you will always see the right side of the image. In dual display rooms you will see all of it.

You could just find an image that looks nice and use that. But beware that there is some content on the displays that you have no control over.

The digital clock

and the rolling banner that alternates between the room display name

and Cortana instructions

Best to avoid placing anything you want to be able to see clearly, or read in those aread.

Also keep in mind that the clock and text is always white. So try not to use a white or light coloured background image. Or you’ll never see them.

Here’s a really basic example of the area you have. And the areas to avoid

The rest is all good so have fun. You can also take the opportunity to add some helpful information such as how to use the room and the facilities. Here’s an example of a single room display with logos and the information.

Again, the above is the right side of the large image. If you have a dual display you can utilise the left side for branding and right for information. Get creative with your imagery, branding, your fonts. Whatever works for you or your customer.

These are just some basic examples. You can really have fun with it and use the one or two huge screens in your rooms to add some wall art when they aren’t in use.

Here’s what I use on mine at home (of course).

Save your image as wallpaper.jpg. If you want to use a different image file format or name, pay attention to the XML because I use this name in it. Just change the xml to contain your filename and extension.

Step 2 – Create an XML file

If you don’t know by now. MTR on Windows uses an XML file with parameters in it to make changes to the system. There’s a bunch of stuff you can do with the XML and the list is growing all the time. But for now, all I want to talk about is the XML settings which are specific to the wallpaper.

Open Notepad and add the following 

<SkypeSettings>
    <Theming>
        <ThemeName>Custom</ThemeName>
        <CustomThemeImageUrl>wallpaper.jpg</CustomThemeImageUrl>
        <CustomThemeColor>
            <RedComponent>1</RedComponent>
            <GreenComponent>120</GreenComponent>
            <BlueComponent>199</BlueComponent>
        </CustomThemeColor>
    </Theming>
</SkypeSettings>

I highlighted the word wallpaper.jpg because as I said above, you can save the image file as whatever you want. But it has to match the xml.

Save the file as SkypeSettings.xml

Step 3 – Copy the image file and xml to the MTR

You need to save both files to C:\Users\Skype\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.SkypeRoomSystem_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState

You can do this however you want. If you connect to the MTR PC remotely, go to settings and log in as admin, browse to the folder and paste them there.

If you want to use remote commandline or file explorer, go for it. Just keep in mind you might get a permissions block navigating past AppData.

Either way, just copy the files there.

Step 4 – Restart the MTR PC

The XML only gets processed by the MTR after a restart. Once you have restarted, the new wallpaper will be on your front of room display(s).

Now if you want to change your wallpaper frequently, you can use a script by friend and fellow MVP Pat Richard. Check out his post here – UC Unleashed » New-MtrWallpaper – Automatically Change Wallpaper on Teams Room System Every Day

FAQ

You’ll all be asking if this can be done on MTR on Android. The answer is no. Hopefully that will change in the future for consistency. But for now it can’t be changed.

And that’s it. Hope it was useful