Windows 7 - Can't change background after update from Starter

That's OK. Try reading this and see how you go...Unable to change desktop background

did you see my last post? i found the programs (i seem to have installed it twice or i dunno, but it's there are two of them) would you recommend that i try uninstalling those first???

Yeah...sorry, I thought you already had. After you uninstall, reboot just to make sure

ugggh. so i deleted both of the files and re-started and still nothing. when i went to select a different picture a gray box popped up with a message that said "unable to set as desktop" i tried a few different ones and still nothing. did you look at that website i listed for where i got it? i'm so confused.

Open the Start Menu.

In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

If prompted, click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.

In regedit, go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies.
If you see ActiveDesktop under Policies on the left, click it and delete everything that appears in the right-hand box except Default.
If you see System under Policies on the left, click it and delete everything that appears in the right-hand box except Default.
Reboot.

Did as you said...and there wasn't anything under policies.

This is very strange. The only thing I can think of is a repair install. Upgrading can cause all sorts of problems. It's best to clean install.
This will help you repair windows: Repair Install

Thank you for taking time to talk to me! I'm going to snoop around and see if I can find some more information somewhere before I try the clean install!

My pleasure. Like I said earlier, upgrading causes all sorts of problems. A clean (custom) install is always the best method.