Desktop Background - Change

How to Change the Windows 7 Desktop Background​

   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.


Download

   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

EXAMPLE: Default Windows 7 Desktop Background

OPTION ONE

To Change Desktop Background Wallpaper from Context Menu of Image

1. Right click on the image you want as your wallpaper, and click on Set as desktop background. (see screenshot below)

OPTION TWO

To Change Desktop Background Wallpaper in "Personalization" Settings

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 Save changes to apply the changes. (see screenshots below)



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

OPTION THREE

To Change Desktop Background Wallpaper Manually in Registry Editor

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.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Remove the Windows 7 Desktop Background Picture Location History
• How to Change the Desktop Background in Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic Editions
• How to Make your own Windows 7 Theme Pack
• How to Change or Save a Windows 7 Theme
• How to Change the Window Color and Appearance in Windows 7
• How to Create a Desktop Slideshow in Windows 7
• How to Turn Aero Peek On or Off in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 Personalization Shortcut
• How to Allow or Prevent Changing Desktop Background in Windows 7
• How to Specify a Desktop Background for All Users
• How to Remove Background Images to have Only Solid Colors in Windows 7
• How to Play a Music Video as the Desktop Background
• How to Create a Change "Desktop Background" Shortcut in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Add or Remove "Next desktop background" from the Windows 7 Desktop Context Menu
• How to Add or Remove "Personalize" from Desktop Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Set or Unset Bing Homepage Image in Bing Desktop as Desktop Background in Windows 7
• How to Add or Remove "Set as desktop background" from Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[deldiablo]

Jeez i am such a muppet, sorry about that, thanks for your help

 

[Brink]

LOL, you're most welcome. No problem.

 

[mrdoug]

Thanks

Thanks for the help and suggestions Shawn!! What I found was the problem was being caused by ASUS Power4gear software. Every time I turned it on it was on batteries and the save power settings changed the setup. The hokey thing about all of this was the power saving settings were far from optimal. Doug

Hello Doug, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You might double check to see if you may have a startup program that is loading the ASUS logo screen as your desktop background and overriding the Oceanis program. If you do, then temporarily disable it to confirm it before deleting it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Brink]

That's great news Doug. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted. Thank you posting back with your results.

 

[David K]

Great advice!

Great advice. I got the background i wanted and it fits my 1920x1080 resolution! Thanks sevenforums!

 

[leopardes777]

I can switch my desktop image but when i shut down my PC and restart it it goes back to the first picture I ever used. How can I change it so it doesn't default to that other image when I shut down and restart?

 

[Brink]

Hello Leopardes, and welcome to Seven Forums.

As a test, create a new administrator account and see if the desktop background image stays and works properly in it.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[HOGRNAHRO]

I have a problem change background desktop
is on the right cilck

 

[Dwarf]

Look at your spelling. You have spelt background as backgrownd by mistake.

 

[Brink]

I have a problem change background desktop
is on the right cilck

Hello Hogrnahro,

What edition of Windows 7 do you have? Personalization is not available in the Windows 7 Starter edition. If you have that edition, then see the tutorial below for how instead.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47294-desktop-background-change-windows-7-starter.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Dwarf]

I think it's much simpler (and more embarrassing) than that. Look at his spelling of background.

 

[Brink]

Hi Dwarf,

Normally maybe, but he didn't have Personalize in his Desktop context menu that indicates he has Windows 7 Starter.

 

[HOGRNAHRO]

Thank you so much, it is the way to correct

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Hogrnahro. I'm happy that we were able to help you.

 

[leopardes777]

How do you create a new Admin account

How do you create a new Admin account?

Hello Leopardes, and welcome to Seven Forums.

As a test, create a new administrator account and see if the desktop background image stays and works properly in it.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[ryo]

How do you create a new Admin account?

Hello Leopardes, and welcome to Seven Forums.

As a test, create a new administrator account and see if the desktop background image stays and works properly in it.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2974-user-accounts.html
at point 2 you can choose the administrator options.

 

[lbailey22]

change my background

i am still not able to change my background. someone plz help me !

 

[Brink]

Hello Bailey, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Could you give us some more details about your issue?


What edition of Windows 7 do you have?

If you have Starter or Home Basic, then see this instead for how:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47294-desktop-background-change-windows-7-starter.html

 

[Angel30421995]

Um there is no personal on an inspiron mini.

 

[Brink]

Hello Angel, and welcome to Seven Forums.

This would be because the Windows 7 Starter edition does not include this feature. The red warning box at the top of the tutorial can help give you more details on this.

You could use the tutorial below to be able to change the desktop background in Windows 7 Starter though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47294-desktop-background-change-windows-7-starter.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn