How to Change the Windows 7 Desktop Background
InformationThis 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.
NoteThe 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.
WarningThe 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 ONETo 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 TWOTo 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 LocationA) 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 BackgroundA) 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)5. Select the Picture Position
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.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 SlideShowA) For how, see: How to Create a Desktop Slideshow in Windows 77. Click on Save changes to apply the changes. (see screenshots below)8. Close the Personalize window when done. (see screenshot below step 2)
OPTION THREETo Change Desktop Background Wallpaper Manually in Registry Editor
1. Open the Start Menu, type regedit in the search box and press Enter.That's it,
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\Desktop4. 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.
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
Desktop Background - Change
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New #1
I hope this is an okay place for this question. When I save a themepack or "run" it. I cannot find the pictures for the desktop background. Where are they going? I can't seem to find where they are going. I know where they are supposed to go but could this just be a poorly made themepack? or am I missing something here?
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New #2
Hi Nate,
Strange, you should still see the default wallpapers from the C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper location even if the new themepack did not include one. Could you post a screen of this area?
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New #3
Yea, thanks Brink. I have a theme called nuclear blasts. I got it from a place called RapidShare. I don't know this place...maybe it a bad Themepack but if you want it..here it is. (I love nuclear blasts)
http://rapidshare.com/files/21015106...last.themepack
As you can see...there is no "nuclear blasts" wallpaper here. I made the "China" one. I put Korea and China in "China" so I kinda know how to arrange wallpaper.
Attachment 8351Last edited by nate42nd; 04 Sep 2009 at 16:33.
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New #4
Interesting, when you get to step 7 above, what does it show as the Picture Location when you are using the "Nuclear Blasts" theme?
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New #5
It does not show them at all. Maybe I will have to create one and post it in the "themes" thread. I don't know what happened to those pictures. Maybe a poorly created theme?
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New #7
Replace default Windows Desktop Backgrounds
Dont know if this is cool, but here is the tutorial anyways.
First navigate to: %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper
Thats pretty much it, place your wallpapers there, create new folders etc, and they will show in the Windows Desktop Backgrounds menu in wallpaper selection :)
This can also be done with Sounds
Just navigate to: %SystemRoot%\Media
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New #8
Still Confused
Ah, I still need some help.
I just got my new Windows 7 Mini Netbook, and I am not all that sure if the tutorial you posted works on my computer. Help please?
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New #9
Hello DJ, welcome to the Seven Forums.
What version of Win7 you have? Some netbooks have Windows 7 Starter Edition, which does not allow you to change the desktop wallpaper.
Kari
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