Win 7 64bit prof. can only personalize two backgrounds not others

Hi Roy,
I agree with your assessment: (3rd party program interference to user profiles), just don't know which one. I think my best approach will be to look at all my programs installed or updated since Jan 1, 2021 and start uninstalling them one at a time until the personalize backgrounds starts working again. As for the Classic Shell and IconFx programs, I have had them installed since my original build in 2017 and my background changes worked fine back then so I suspect they are ok, but will not exclude any programs in my fishing expedition just because I "THINK" they are not the problem.
My reason for having a number of programs disabled at startup is that I do not use them very often and it's easy enough to engage them when needed instead of them hogging space when I'm not using them.
Yes, I am aware of the risk that not having any anti-virus software running poses. The last one I had was bitdefender and it created havoc all the time. The interference was so annoying that I uninstalled it and let windows defender handle things. My internet connection is via Ethernet cable and password protected, cable connected modem. However, I will look into your suggestions for scans.

I don't know how much longer you are willing to consider my problem. Especially since we agree that the source is likely to be program interference. So... if you decide to move on to other problems, let me express to you a HUGE THANK YOU!!! You have advised me on suggestions that I was completely unaware of and have helped me to get my OS into a healthy state. Your expertise has made a gigantic difference. And I will miss speaking with you. If, on the other hand, you decide to stick around... well, my gain.
Either way, Thanks, Roy (Torchwood). Stay safe and take care.
-Steve

Good Question! No reason. Downloading now. Thanks for the tip!

Thanks, Roy.
I'll get right on it and let you know what I find in the Register. Sounds promising. Hope it works.
And I'll look into the "manual" option. I appreciate the heads up on it.
Talk soon.
-Steve

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Roy,
Just checked the Register. I do not have the Virtual Desktops and the Desktops entries under explorer.
-Steve

Oh silly me

should have looked at Brinks tutorials for Personalisation..

then check the entries under MY/Aero and Basic and High
to Unhide Control Panel >> folder View ..Show hidden

• My Themes is your current theme. These .theme files are located in the hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes folder.
• Aero Themes are the Windows Aero themes. They are located in the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes folder.
• Basic and High Contrast Themes are the Windows 7 Basic, Windows Classic, High Contrast #1, High Contrast #2, High Contrast Black, and High Contrast White themes. They are located in the C:\Windows\Resources\Ease of Access Themes folder.

Theme - Change or Save

Hi Roy,
Here are the entries in
C:\Users\POPS\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes folder. (Sorry the jpg is so freakin' small). Will post the others shortly.

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Here is what I have in Aero Themes:


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Here are the Ease of Access listed themes:


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Thi is what I have loaded into TranscodedWallpaper:

and I have Full Control permission on the file.

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I went into C:\Users\POPS\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes and screen printed TranscodedWallpaper.jpg:

Then changed it to one of the backgrounds that I am unable to save:

When I Restart I get this background:

Then if I try to Personalize, I get the Mountains background again:

Don't know if any of this helps.
I'm giving some serious thought to starting over with larger HDD's, new install of 7 and clone of my D drive (where I keep everything other than Windows) and suffer through the re-building of MBR and indexes, re-loading applications & programs, etc. Not ready to jump off the cliff just yet, but I am giving it some thought. I have a cancer procedure on June 10th which may give me some time to delve into a re-build. Don't know. Just pondering. Anyway, your help is greatly appreciated, Roy!!

SteveKG said:

I'm giving some serious thought to starting over with larger HDD's, new install of 7 and clone of my D drive (where I keep everything other than Windows) and suffer through the re-building of MBR and indexes, re-loading applications & programs, etc.

why do you need larger HDDs, SteveKG?
how big or large is your existing HDD?

Hi,
My C drive (Windows 7) is 500GB and 72% full. My D drive (my programs, downloads, videos, and extensive music library) is 1TB and 99% full.
So... kinda leaning towards a 1TB C drive and a 2TB D drive, then clean up and use my older ones as image backups (something I should have done more often in the past, and would not now be in such trouble).

Although my problem has not been resolved, I am closing out this thread. I want to express my deepest appreciation to Torchwood (Roy) for his outstanding assistance and support. While we weren't able to carve out the root cause, his advice was able to resolve many side issues. I will always be grateful for his constant attention to my problem and his excellent thought process.