Windows 7 - Desktop Background - Change

   Information

This will show you how to change your desktop background to either a wallpaper picture (image), solid color, or slideshow of you choice in Windows 7.

   Note

The default Windows 7 desktop background image is located in the folder below. If you had deleted it by mistake, you can click on the Download button below to download it in a ZIP file. See example screeenshot below.

C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper\Windows\img0.jpg.

   Tip

• For free desktop background wallpapers from Microsoft, see: Desktop backgrounds (wallpaper) - Microsoft Windows
• To select another regional wallpaper in steps 3 and 4 below:
  • Unhide the Windows 7 System and Protected Operating System files.NOTE: This will be steps 2 and 4 at that link.
  • Browse to C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT.
  • Open a MCT-(AU, CA, GB, US, or ZA) folder for the regional wallpaper that you want.
    NOTE: AU (Australia), CA (Canada), GB (United Kingdom), US (United States), and ZA (South Africa).
  • Open the folder with the name (ex: Australia) for the region area.
    NOTE: Once you have browsed to the selected regional wallpaper location, it will be listed in the Picture location drop down menu to select from next time.
  • Select the wallpaper in step 4 below.
    Hide the Windows 7 System and Protected Operating System files.
    NOTE: This will be steps 3 and 5 at that link.

   Warning

The Windows 7 Starter edition does not include the Personalization features such as the change desktop background option.

Lets talk about Windows 7 Starter - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog

The Windows 7 Home Basic edition does not have the Personalization feature either, and will only allow you to change the desktop background by right clicking on a image and clicking on Set as desktop background.

You can use the tutorial at the link below to be able to change the desktop background like in Personalization in the Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic editions.

How to Change the Desktop Background in Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic Editions

1. Right click on a empty space on the desktop and click on Personalize. (see screenshot below)

2. Click on the Desktop Background link at the bottom of the window. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: The name in gray under Desktop Background is the current desktop background file name.

3. Select a Picture Location

A) Click on the drop down arrow menu to select from the list of available picture folder locations, or click on the Browse button to navigate to the picture folder location. (see screenshot below step 7)
NOTE: To use another regional wallpaper, see the yellow TIP box at the top of the tutorial. To remove a folder from the Picture location, see How to Remove the Windows 7 Desktop Background Picture Location History.

B) Select the picture folder and click on Select Folder.

4. Select a Desktop Background

A) Right click on an available picture, or click (check) on the box in the upper left corner of the picture, to select it. (see screenshot below step 7)
NOTE: You can continue to right click on the images to see it previewed on your desktop until you decide which one you like best.

5. Select the Picture Position

A) Click on the drop down arrow menu, and click on the picture position you want for the desktop background. (see bottom of screenshot below step 7)

6. For a Desktop SlideShow

A) For how, see: How to Create a Desktop Slideshow in Windows 7

7. Click on OK to apply the changes. (see screenshot below)

8. Close the Personalize window when done. (see screenshot below step 2)

1. Open the Start Menu, type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

4. In the right pane of the Desktop key in regedit, right click on the Wallpaper string value and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)

5. Type in the full path of the image file (ex: .jpg or .bmp), and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Be sure that the name of the image file does not contain any spaces in it. If it does, rename the image file first so that it doesn't. If you use a image file name with a space in it's name, then you would just get a solid black desktop background instead.

6. Close regedit.

7. log off and log on to apply.