Issues with desktop background slideshow

yeah, I've got no ideas on how to fix this one

DocBrown said:

Here is an explanation I did for somebody else earlier today, but they have not posted again.

Windows 7 Wallpaper..

We are missing some little detail

Have you Browsed other folders on your computer to test if it may work in another folder ?

Can you give us any screen snips with the Snipping Tool ?

this is the personalization window, where I'm selecting images from a different folder than I was using before. All settings are correct and I hit save changes.


Slideshow stays for about 5 seconds and then it reverts to ACTIVE~1 and when I go to edit the same theme, the current background image is listed in the "Desktop" folder as if it had made a copy to the desktop.

WIN! Apparently, Active Desktop Calendar for some reason messes with you desktop background, and it kept setting the random picture from the slideshow to the "active" background. I have uninstalled the program, and the slideshow stays.

Could someone mark this as solved?

Hi guys i am also using ADC and i have this issue witht the desktop slideshow defaulting to just one picture everytime i select a slideshow of pics.I really like ADC but i also like the slideshow funtion has anyone worked out how to get them both to work at all yet.I have looked at ADC settings etc but i cant figure anything out any help would be appreciated thanks.

I think I've found the solution after a few years experiencing this problem. It keeps reverting back to Unsaved Theme(WITHOUT WALLPAPER SLIDESHOW). Usually occurs after:
1. I plug out the battery, or
2. reboot, or
3. hibernate, or
4. opening Aero incompatible software(such as Digi Broadband), or
5. sometimes let the laptop opened for too long (>12 hours non stop)
6. no reason, suddenly slideshow is disabled(sometimes while I'm watching movies)

I tried creating a theme named "Unsaved Theme" to prevent windows to make its own theme. No success.
I don't want to uninstall any of my favorite programs. The main reason we buy a laptop is to install programs, right?
I've tried deleting slideshow.ini & TranscodedWallpaper.jpg. No success.
I tried enable slideshow on battery and on plugged in (power plan). No success.
I don't want to create new account every time this thing happens. I prefer my OWN Account for eternity.
I also don't want to upgrade Windows every times it happens...
I don't want to compare registry files, windows can change these registry whenever it likes, thus not very practical.

Windows keeps creating its own theme file named Custom.theme and emptying the file slideshow.ini.
The trick is to lock these 2 files but allow windows to access it.

1. Create your theme(setting up all appearances, images, screensaver, font, color, slideshow setting, whatever..),
then name it (e.g.: MyTheme)
Make sure it works on the background before proceed. (use 10 seconds delay to ensure that it works)

2. Go to %localAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes

We only concern about these 2 files:
1. MyTheme.theme
2. Custom.theme

If there is no Custom.theme, duplicate MyTheme.theme then rename it to Custom.theme.
(In my case, I let Windows do her things in creating the unwanted "Unsaved Theme", so annoying)

use Beyond Compare(or other comparing softwares) between these 2 files:
copy all content from MyTheme.theme --> Custom.theme
except:
MyTheme.theme | Custom.theme
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DisplayName=MyTheme | DisplayName=Unsaved Theme

Make sure both of the themes contain something similar to these:
[Slideshow]
ImagesRootPIDL=8TAFA8BUg/E0gouOpBhoYjAArADMdm

Then, save both files.

THEN THE IMPORTANT PART, change Custom.theme ---> Read only (in properties menu)

3. Go to %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes

You will find these 2 files:

slideshow.ini-I think where the slideshow data is stored, who knows
TranscodedWallpaper.jpg-current image being displayed on the background

try open the slideshow.ini, it should contain some gibberish characters e.g:
[Slideshow]
ImagesRootPIDL=8TAFA8BUg/E0gouOpBhoYjAArADMdm.........................

If it's empty, then your slideshow may already been disabled.

THEN THE IMPORTANT PART, change ONLY slideshow.ini ---> read only (in properties menu)
[don't touch the TranscodedWallpaper.jpg. Just let it be]

4. Then you're ready to enjoy wallpaper slideshow without having to worry about it.

Hope this helps.