Solution for computer that can't change desktop wallpaper / background
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I ran into this problem earlier this week and found the solution. The customer could not change his desktop background to any of the stock photos in Windows or his own photos...something that any Windows user should be able to do. Turns out that the root cause of the problem is spyware. Even after removing the spyware a registry (skeleton of Windows) entry gets left behind disabling the users ability to change the background. Deleting this entry restores the ability for the user to again have a normal functioning desktop.
WARNING: THIS SOLUTION IS ONLY FOR COMPUTERS THAT HAVE THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. AND IT IS INTENDED TO ONLY BE CARRIED OUT BY AN EXPERIENCED TECHNICIAN OR COMPUTER USER WITH REGISTRY EXPERIENCE.
- Click Start
- Click Run
- Type: regedit
- Navigate to the following registry entry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
"Wallpaper"=SZ:C:\WINDOWS\desktop.html (yours might be slightly different) - Click one time on the entry
- Push Delete on the keyboard
- Click Yes
- Close the Registry editor
HOW TO MAKE YOUR ICO TEXT TRANSPARENT:
1. Open the Control Panel
2. Click System
3. Click the Advanced tab
4. Click Settings in the Performance section
5. Check the "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" check box
6. Click OK until you close the windows
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Thank You
Thank you, I didn't know what I was going to do until I found your directions. It worked perfectly! Now if only you'll move in with me to help upkeep my computer. XP
same problem, need additional solution
Hi. I know those of you with this problem will understand the frustration and bear with yet another tale of woe. I have tried every solution mentioned. Kellys (would only run in safe mode), dwpfix (again would only run in safe mode), one virus scan after another. There is no entry in my registry that I can find that references display or desktop. The only ones in the .....policies/system folder are a (default) with (value not
set), a 'don'tdisplaylast....., a legalnotice....., a legalnoticetext..., a shutdown...an unlock...
I have changed the registry in the past, but need specific guidance.
Do I Edit, New, key? string, dword?? What exactly would I put there. Can you tell me, including all punctuation?
Everyone's so happy, I would like to join you. by the way, my
display tab is present in the control panel, but I can't make any changes. Thank you.
Know when to say when
At some point you have to decide that enough time and energy has been expended and it's time to move forward. You can see if a local computer professional can help you...quickly. If not, throw in the towel, backup your data, reformat the hard drive and start over. This time, however, make sure your security is up to snuff from the beginning.
Good luck.
Thank you!
I didn't have the options to change my screensaver or desktop and I stumbled across your site. Followed the steps - absolutely perfect now. Thanks!
Worked Great
Thanks this solved the problem after hours of wondering WTF!!!
I will be back to this site for sure!!
Step 4
Hello Rick,
I'm so glad I found this! Everything is fine until I get to step 4, after clicking on system. I see that its written 'wallpaper', and the type is REG_SZ. What exactly do I do there?
Oh yeah, like a lot of other people I acknowledged the fact that you said this should be carried out by someone who knows, but I'm desperate!
Thank you!
Proceed to step 5
If you find the entry listed in Step 4, then proceed to step 5 and onward. If you don't find the entry listed in #4, then you might have a slightly different problem.
Good luck.
Resolved at Last! Thank you!!
Similar to the other posters, I thought I was destined to forever suffer with the horribly boring and ugly blue desktop background. After many internet searches to no avail, this did the trick! Thank you so much for your help!!
Perfect!
It worked... Thanks Buddy!
thank you
thanks a lot for this solution
Thanks! How about an IE fix too?
Thank you so much for the fix. Now if I can only find a fix for the other problem caused by this virus. It kills tab browsing on IE7. If you've got a solution to that too it'd be much appreciated.
Try this, or
You can reset Internet Explorer using this tip, or better yet, ditch IE for Firefox.
thanks alot!
Thank you very much for the tip!! I was going crazy!
Now its all fixed!
FINALLY!!!! THANK YOU!
I got a virus today and I thought that was the end for my computer. I called........nothing. I downloaded a antivirus and it worked took the virus off! But then i got the BLUE SCREEN!!! I looked and looked for about 3 hours! And I came across this! I deleted them first time i thought I made another stupid thing! But I restored the registery settings and I did what you told me Thank YOU! Finally I can sleep know that my computer is safe!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Omg Thanks
I just got rid of that wretched blue screen because of your help thank you!
It worked, but!
I can now display my wallpaper, thank goodnes. But, I still have the shadows around my icons. I followed the steps to fix that but it didn't work. Any other suggestions?
It worked, but!
I can now display my wallpaper, thank goodnes. But, I still have the shadows around my icons. I followed the steps to fix that but it didn't work. Any other suggestions?
For those still having problems....
I had this very same problem which was caused by spyware. After removing the spyware, the Display Properties were missing the "Desktop" and "Screensaver" tabs so I was unable to change the background unless I opened an image and set it. However, after a reboot the annoying "Restore Active Desktop" message still always came up. I luckily found a site that referred me to this link below:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Scroll all the way down to line 285 and in the right hand column click the link "Restore All Display Tabs". Essentially you will be downloading a small registry file. Save to your PC, double click the file, and click yes to add it to the registry. The display tabs should now be there and everything should be back to normal.
Hope this helps.
Thx
I facing the same problem with you n with your help, i able to the solve the problem now.
Thx.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT CAN I SAY? THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Still can't change background
i followed the instructions at the top, after cleaning my computer again, but i still can not access my backgrounds. the only way i can change my background is if i right click a picture off google and choose set as desktop background. i rechecked everything i did, twice. all my backgrounds are still looked, PLEASE HELP!!!
If you STILL Cannot Change the Desktop Wallpaper
SUMMARY: If you cannot change your Windows XP desktop wallpaper because all options are disabled, view this tip.
A virus, certain spyware, a malformed registry, or other circumstances can transpire making it impossible for you to change the Windows XP desktop wallpaper. When you try to modify the background picture, neither the list of images nor the "Browse" button is clickable. If this happens, you can perform a registry tweak to restore the functionality. Note you must be an Administrator to perform this tip.
NOTE: Be careful what you are doing when modifying the registry as you can harm your computer or keep it from booting! Read the disclaimer.
1. Run "Regedit".
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\policies
3. If you see a folder (key) "ActiveDesktop" select it. If not, make a new key and label it "ActiveDesktop".
4. If you see "NoChangingWallPaper", double-click the DWORD value and set it to "0". Otherwise, you need to create a new DWORD value of "NoChangingWallPaper" and set it to "0".
5. Try changing your wallpaper. If this fix doesn't solve the problem, you may also need to make the above registry changes at location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies .
SOLVING NOCHANGING WALLPAPER!
IT WORKS! THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I AM VERY IMPRESSED AND GRATEFUL!
So Irritating
We know it works for most....and we get that you are thankful, but for those still trying to figure things out...please stop clogging the forum...geesh
Hadn't been able to change that in years!
It's been years since I was able to change my desktop background. This is a family computer, and I had assumed someone locked it on purpose. Thank you for giving me the solution! Having a plain black background gets old after a few years.
WICKED!!!
Couldn't done it without you...
you save my day, man!
thank you very much for sharing your IT knowledge with dummies like me, ehehehehe...
keep it up and God Bless!!!!
romy
ONE MORE SOLUTION
To all those who cannot find WALLPAPER inside policies
SOLUTION:
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT USER
Software
Microsoft
Windows
CurrentVersion
Policies
System..
There may be two values there saying NodispBackgroundpage
and Nodisplayscreensaverpage..
Right click n choose modify..
If the value is 1 change it to 0.
U've got the tabs back!!!
You're the man!
DAMN AMAZING!
Phew! What a Relief!!
You kinda had me doubting myself with your disclaimer, but you made it so simple to follow, and sure enough, I FINALLY can access my desktop preferences again!! Thanks a ton :)
U R THE MAN!!!
U R THE MAN!!!
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