Solution for computer that can't change desktop wallpaper / background

Submitted by Rick on October 6, 2006 - 2:25pm.

This solution WILL fix your problem, but don't run away afterwards and forget about us.

HelpMeRick.com contains hundreds of tips (and video tips) that YOU can use as a reference for yourself and
especially as a reference to send links to your friends/family so you don't have to write out or explain the steps yourself!

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

Please consider donating any amount to our cause by clicking the link on the left. Thanks.

Clarification

Submitted by Smart Computer User on May 8, 2008 - 11:43am.

I had a user try this at home...unfortunately, she ignored the part about "don't try this if you don't know what you're doing in the registry". In fairness, if she knew what she was doing in the registry, she may not have come to this page anyway. :/

Anyway, she deleted the whole "desktop" key, bad news.

NOT your fault, of course, But I do have a suggestion. Either find a machine with this problem, or create the value yourself (and delete it when done), and grab a screencap of it. Post that. #4 above does not make it clear that what they want to delete is a value, i.e. on the right side.

Or use this:
http://members.cox.net/briandunkle/uh-oh.jpg

- Brian
briandunkle at cox.net

OMG thank you so much, this

Submitted by Smart Computer User on May 4, 2008 - 3:48pm.

OMG thank you so much, this has been bugging me for months!!

Hallelujah! Thanks so much! :) :) :) :) :)

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 27, 2008 - 1:17pm.

Yay!!! I have control over my desktop again! I'm adding this page to my favorites for sure!

Help i still cant change wallpaper!!!!

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 21, 2008 - 9:13pm.

i couldnt find the Wallpaper"=SZ:C:\WINDOWS\desktop.html (yours might be slightly different) i found the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
i need help asap!!!please!!

You have bigger problems

Submitted by Rick on April 22, 2008 - 6:12am.

Unfortunately, this method only works for certain kinds of wallpaper problems. All of them, however, start with a spyware infection. You need to clean your system of viruses and spyware before worrying about the wallpaper. Search our site for the word extricating to get more information on how to do that.

desktop background

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 21, 2008 - 2:33pm.

you are a legend!

THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH ;) the desktop thing worked

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 21, 2008 - 11:37am.

WOOOOOO! IT WORKED! that problem was bugging me 4 AGES!
I luv u!
lol
i tried everything b4 and had just about given up!
now i can have my fave band on my desktop again!!
thank you sooo much. xxx

THANK YOU!!

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 19, 2008 - 1:06pm.

This actually worked!!! Thank you sooooo much. I am definitely bookmarking this page!

Thank you!

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 11, 2008 - 9:39am.

Oh my god i've been trying to fix this problem for over a year! Thank you sooo much!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 10, 2008 - 5:06pm.

You are the best! I have racked my brain trying to fix this problem! Followed your steps and wa-la!!! Thank you

desktop background

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 9, 2008 - 2:23am.

woohoo i love you :)

FINALLY GOT MY PICTURES BACK

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 8, 2008 - 7:45am.

WOW ... YOU'VE MADE MY DAY. I LIKE MY COMPUTER AGAIN. YOUR REMEDY WORKED REALLY WELL. THANKYOU.

it worked!

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 7, 2008 - 3:02am.

thanks it worked for me!

Yay it worked!

Submitted by Smart Computer User on April 3, 2008 - 12:43pm.

so........spyware caused this? (refering to the wallpaer current version issue of course)

You are a huge time saver!!

Submitted by Smart Computer User on March 23, 2008 - 12:55pm.

Thank you...I have been trying to figure this out for months! You rock!

Thank you!!!

Submitted by Smart Computer User on March 23, 2008 - 12:07pm.

I had trouble suddenly and couldn't change my desktop pic. I searched for days for a solution and just gave up. Then today, months later, I decided to try one more time and that's when I found this. It only took a moment to do and worked beautifully. I can now change my desktop pic and am very happy again. Thank you so much for the solution to my problem. I have bookmarked this site and will be checking the site for solutions to other problems I am having.

Lee

help

Submitted by Smart Computer User on March 14, 2008 - 3:12pm.

thanks very much with registry key for desktop background picture problem, will keep your site on ffavourites.

i cant change my desktop

Submitted by Smart Computer User on March 9, 2008 - 6:56am.

i cant change my desktop picture. it hasnt got the sheet "desktop"
At first the desktop was gray and my real picture in the centre but when i deleted some troyans then my wallpaper was at full size but i still couldnt change it
PLEASE help me!

i cant change my desktop

Submitted by Smart Computer User on March 11, 2008 - 1:22am.

how to resolve this
faisal@techkraftsoftware.com

Doesn't apply

Submitted by Rick on March 9, 2008 - 11:28am.

I mentioned this in an earlier reply to someone regarding this article. The steps apply to a specific problem only. If it doesn't work for you, then you have bigger fish to fry and will need to either follow some of our advice about spyware on the site or bite the bullet and reformat your system and start over. Good luck.

Thanks^_^

Submitted by Smart Computer User on March 4, 2008 - 5:01pm.

I appreciate the good computer advice. Quick and easy ^^, Minako-chan's back on the desktop :D!

Can't find wallpaper!! Help!

Submitted by Smart Computer User on February 26, 2008 - 3:10pm.

I did everything until the wallpaper part I just can't find it! What do I do now? Please help all that I can do is put on colors on my background! I can't even click on anything else.