Windows 7: how to change background colour in video slides

The following is an example. I am looking for a way to change the background from black. Screenshot expalins it all.....

I have looked around and could not find any way to do that in WLMM, you can change the backgrounds in the beginning, and end titles, but not the individual slides.

I did find however, that it might be doable in Windows Movie Maker 6.0 - Install on Windows 7, but I do not know personally because I do not have any experience with it. Read some of the replies below tutorial.

You may not have to install WMM 6.0 over WLMM.
This link: Blaine's Movie Maker Blog: WMM 6.0 on Windows 7 offers downloads for WMM 6.0 in 32, and 64bit flavors.
Blaine is considerate guy here: Movie Maker Forums

I have posted a Help Query at Windows Movie Maker 6.0 - Install on Windows 7, hopefully another member will reply with a better answer.

Another Tutorial: Windows Movie Maker Manual - Windows Movie Maker

Yes, I used to have Vista with Windows Movie Maker 6.0
I do know how to change the background to any colour I prefer with WMM 6.0.

Problem is I can't do the same in WLMM.
The background color option is there but grayed out. There must be a way to " activate " what are grayed out under VideoTool - Edit option.
In fact, everything under Video Tool - Edit tab is gayed out except one, Duration.

Update ................
Installing WMM 6.0 is a breeze. Shockingly easy and FAST.

However, it does not help my issue.
I can change the video " border " colour via Windows Media Player ( video is played in media player ), but not the black background of each slide.

see screenshot :

This is my personal opinion, but I like your second try at framing that wolves slide!

That narrow bit of black with the off white in the middle to gray to black gradient looks sharp! It draws the eye to the center of the slide.
To me it is an improvement to how WLMM handled your first attempt.

With WLMM I did a Christmas movie with carols, and I did not know better so I left the pixs there in the center with the large black boarders to the left, and right.

There is one more way I might get help in the "More help requested" thread in the VIP Forum, hang in there.

>>>To me it is an improvement to how WLMM handled your first attempt.

I was not careful when I posted my last reply.
About the 2nd screenshot which you claimed an improvement from the 1st one......
It has nothing to do with using WLMM or WMM.
The white " border on the left and right was the result of me changing the border colour of my Windows Media Player.

Open WMP > Organize > Options > Performance tab > Video border color, click Change button > select the color (I selected " white " ) > OK.

As you can see, that did not help me from removing the black strips left and right of the slide. I have one that has black strips at the top and the bottom.
That means that the location of the black strips depends on the size of the picture, the dimension.
So much is obvious.
There is no way I could re-size each picture. I could do that in powerpoint, not in movie maker.

First let me say I have no experience with WLMM or WMM 6.0.
You could try to change the Desktop Background color.
Go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Personalization\Window Color and Appearance and click Advanced Appearance settings. Click the Desktop color box and pick a color. Apply/OK/Save changes. That may help, the desktop color is used throughout Windows in various places.

Otherwise I think you will need to edit each slide so it has its own "background", enlarge each side of the slide and make it any color. I suspect WLMM is adding the black part to fill its frame and by enlarging a pic to that dimension will make it display right.

No, that's not it.

Thank you.

t-4-2

I did feel a sense of ambiguity when I posted that, I was hoping to maintain a positive attitude.

What you need is someone that can confirm whether or not it is possible to do what you are trying to do.

I found the background color setting for WMP in Options/Performance. Does WLMM something similar?
In the View tab of WLMM see if there is a Show menu bar and click either View or Tools. Try a search for Border color.

Sorry, I see you found that option.
Is there a Video size option in WLMM?