Using AD Photos

Importing photos into Active Directory is straight forward, to start with we'll import a single photo, you can do this by following the steps below.

Import a single photo

1. Ensure you have entered a domain controller to use.

2. Enter a username in the 'Username' text box and click 'Lookup'. If this user already has a photo stored in Active Directory this will be displayed.

3. Click 'Load Photo' and select the file you want to use, the file should be 10kb or less in size and its dimensions should be 96 x 96 pixels if you are saving the photo to thumbnailPhoto attribute, jpegPhoto attribute does accept larger images up to 200 x 200 pixels.

4. Click 'Save Photo' to save the photo to AD.

You can view the photo by entering the username in the 'Username' text box and clicking 'Lookup.

Import multiple photos

To import multiple photos is just as easy, the program reads a CSV file that contains the username followed by the path to where the image is located.

Example CSV file:

Note: The path to the photo can also be a UNC path:

To import photos for multiple users follow the steps below:

1. Click on the tab 'Multiple Users'.

2. Click 'Load CSV' and select the CSV file you want to use.The username and path to the photo will be shown in the datagrid.

3. Click 'Import', any errors will be shown in the log.

That's it.

Removing Photos

To remove a photo simply enter a username, click 'Lookup', the photo will be displayed, click 'Remove Photo' and then click 'Save'.

Using Outlook 2010 and thumbnailPhoto

Outlook 2010 can now read the thumbnailPhoto attribute and display the photo when viewing contacts in Active Directory.

To make this happen you need to make a small change to Active Directory schema, if you haven't run the MMC schem snap-in before you will need to register it by typing the following command 'Regsvr32 schmmgmt.dll'.

Once registered type MMC in the Run box and then when the console loads click the 'File' menu and select 'Add/Remove Snap-in', select the Active Directory Schema snap-in from the list, click 'Add' and then 'OK'.

When loaded click on 'Attribute' and browse to the thumbnailPhoto attribute, right click it and choose 'Properties', the window below will load, check 'Replicate this attribute to the Global Catalog' and click OK.

That's it, you will now be able to view the photos in Outlook 2010.

Using Sharepoint and thumbnailPhoto

Text to come.

Using AD Phonebook and jpegPhoto attribute

The AD Phonebook program uses the jpegPhoto attribute to display the photo when a entry is clicked.

AD Phonebook reading the jpegPhoto attribute.

When importing photos ensure jpegPhoto is checked.

AD Phonebook will automatically display the photo if one is found. You can turn this feature off, please see the AD Phonebook manual.