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Vista - Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

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Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

How to Enable or Prevent the Desktop Background Wallpaper from being Changed in Vista
Published by Brink
11-18-2007

How to Enable or Prevent the Desktop Background Wallpaper from being Changed in Vista

Information
  This will allow you to set a default optional Desktop Background Wallpaper of your choice for all user accounts, and prevent it from being changed.
NOTE
  STEP ONE below will just remove the Desktop Background option from the Personalize appearance and sounds screen. Users will still be able to change the wallpaper by right clicking on a image and click Set as Desktop Background. You must also do STEP TWO below to prevent the desktop background from being changed. You will have a choice to do this using METHOD ONE or METHOD TWO on below.
Tip
  If you have a blank or solid background, then check this setting to make sure it is unchecked:
  • Open the Control Panel (classic view).
  • Click on the Ease of Access Center icon.
  • Click on the Make the computer easier to see link.
  • Uncheck Remove background images (where available) box.
  • Click on Save.
WARNING
  If you did not disable the ability to change the desktop background, then you may be infected with some form of malware on your computer. I would recommend that you run a very thorugh antivirus and spyware scan to help make sure that your computer is clean.
RELATED LINKS:EXAMPLE:
NOTE: This will be removed in STEP ONE below.
desktop_background.jpg




METHOD ONE:
Through the Local Group Policy Editor
NOTE
  This method is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two below for the Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions.
STEP ONE:
Remove or Show the Desktop Background Option
NOTE
  STEP ONE will just remove the Desktop Background option from the Personalize appearance and sounds screen. Users will still be able to change the wallpaper by right clicking on a image and click Set as Desktop Background. You must also do STEP TWO below to prevent the desktop background from being changed.
1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Control Panel, and Display.
(See screenshot below)
group_policy2.jpg
3. In the right pane, right click on Prevent changing wallpaper and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)

4. To Show the Desktop Background Option -
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5A)
5. To Remove the Desktop Background Option -
A) Select (dot) Enabled and click on OK.
prevent_properties.jpg
STEP TWO:
Disable or Enable Changing the Desktop Background
NOTE
  This will also disable the Set as Desktop Background option for when a user right clicks on a image. The option will not be grayed out, but it will not work unless this is enabled.
6. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Desktop, and Desktop.
(See screenshot below)

7. In the right pane, right click on Desktop Wallpaper and click Properties.
group_policy1.jpg
8. To Enable Changing Desktop Background -
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 9D)

B) Go to step 10.
9. To Disable Changing Desktop Background -
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (See screenshot below step 9D)

B) In the Wallpaper Name: box, type in the full path of a wallpaper you want displayed for all user accounts. (See screenshot below step 9D)
NOTE: You can only use a .BMP or .JPG image. If you just want a blank wallpaper, you can enter a invalid path. (EX: C:\ )

C) In the Wallpaper Style: box, select if you want the wallpaper to be in Center, Stretch, or Tile style. (See screenshot below step 9D)

D) Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
desktop_wallpaper_properties.jpg
10. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.

11. Restart the computer to apply the changes.


METHOD TWO:
Through the Registry
NOTE
  This method will work for All versions of Vista.

Through a Download:
NOTE:STEP ONE will just remove the Desktop Background option from the Personalize appearance and sounds screen. Users will still be able to change the wallpaper by right clicking on a image and click Set as Desktop Background. You must also do STEP TWO below to prevent the desktop background from being changed.
STEP ONE:
1. To Show the Desktop Background Option -
A)
2. To Remove the Desktop Background Option -
NOTE: This will just remove the Desktop Background option from the Personalize appearance and sounds screen. Users will still be able to change the wallpaper by right clicking on a image and click Set as Desktop Background. You must also do STEP TWO below to prevent this.
A)
STEP TWO:
3. To Enable Changing the Wallpaper -
A)
4. To Disable Changing the Wallpaper-
NOTE: This download will give you a blank wallpaper. If you want to disable changing the wallpaper and have a wallpaper of your choice, then see STEP TWO in the Manual section below.
A)
5. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

6. Right click the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge.

7. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.

8. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

9. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).

10. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.
The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. If prompted, click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
policies_reg.jpg
STEP ONE:
Remove or Show the Desktop Background Option
NOTE
  STEP ONE will just remove the Desktop Background option from the Personalize appearance and sounds screen. Users will still be able to change the wallpaper by right clicking on a image and click Set as Desktop Background. You must also do STEP TWO below to prevent the desktop background from being changed.
5. To Remove the Desktop Background Option -
A) In the left pane, right click on Policies and click on New and Key. (See screenshot below step 4)
NOTE: If you already have the ActiveDesktop key, then go to step 5C.

B) Type ActiveDesktop and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

C) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32 bit) Value.
activedesktop_reg.jpg
D) Type NoChangingWallpaper and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

E) In the right pane, right click on NoChangingWallpaper and click on Modify.
nochangingwallpaper.jpg
F) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Name:  Modify_NoChangingWallpaper.jpg
Views: 29210
Size:  36.1 KB
6. To Show the Desktop Background Option -
A) Right click on NoChangingWallpaper and click on Delete. (See screenshot below step 5E)

B) Click on Yes to confirm Delete.

C) In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop

D) In the right pane, repeat steps 6A and 6B if NoChangingWallpaper is there to.
hklm_add_reg.jpg
STEP TWO:
Disable or Enable Changing the Desktop Background
NOTE
  This will also disable the Set as Desktop Background option when a user right clicks on a image. It will not be grayed out, but it will not work unless enabled.
7. To Disable Changing the Desktop Background -
A) In the left pane, right click on Policies and click on New and Key. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you already have the System key, then go to step 7C.
policies2_reg.jpg
B) Type System and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

C) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and String Value.
system_reg.jpg
D) Type Wallpaper and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

E) In the right pane, right click on Wallpaper and click on Modify.
wallpaper_reg.jpg
F) Type in the full path of a wallpaper you want displayed for all user accounts and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can only use a .BMP or .JPG image. If you just want a blank wallpaper, you can enter a invalid path. (EX: C:\ )
modify_wallpaper.jpg
G) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and String Value. (See screenshot below)

H) Type WallpaperStyle and press Enter.

I) In the right pane, right click on WallpaperStyle and click on Modify.
wallpaperstyle_reg.jpg

J) Type in a number below in bold for the wallpaper to be in Center, Stretch, or Tile style, and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
  • Type 0 to Center the wallpaper on the desktop.
  • Type 1 to Tile the wallpaper on the desktop.
  • Type 2 to Stretch the wallpaper to fit the desktop.
modify_wallpaperstyle.jpg
8. To Enable Changing the Desktop Background -
A) In the right pane, right click on both Wallpaper and WallpaperStyle and click Delete. (See screenshot below step 7I)
NOTE: You will have to do these one at a time.

B) Click on Yes to confirm each deletion.
9. Close regedit.

10. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply changes.
That's it,
Shawn
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Tutorial Tools

Applies to
All Vista Versions
64 Bit & 32 Bit

Old 02-23-2008  
gloryshine01


32bit
 
 

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

Thanks, I have window Vista Home Premium version installed in my computer and I have been battling to restore desktop background of my computer that suddenly diappeared for sometime now.
But when i applied METHOD TWO -(through the Registery), Step one and Step Two in the Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change tutorial.
The problem was solved and I am now able to change the desktop background.
Big thanks to you all.

Gloryshine01

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 02-23-2008  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

Your welcome Gloryshine01, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Thank you for the feedback,

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 04-14-2008  
rickhuntersv


Vista Bussines 32bits
 
 

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

Hello all, Thank you for let me ask...
I have been having this problem after a virus clean up. I have tried all the steps you mencioned, but nothing happen, I still have the black desktop color.

Please help before I format my HDD

Many thanks
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 04-14-2008  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

Hi Rick, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Check this setting to make sure it is unchecked:

1. Open the Control Panel (classic view)
2. Click on Ease of Access Center icon
3. Click on the Make the computer easier to see link
4. Uncheck Remove background images (where available) box
5. Click on Save

Hope this helps,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 07-03-2008  
homerpez


Ultimate 32
 
 

Question Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

Hi, I know I'm extremely late to the party, but I'm having the same issue as rickhuntersv...

Upon (painfully) removing a "Vondo" virus from my girlfriend's machine, it left the computer functioning, but completely unable to set a desktop background picture (except occasionally using the right-click "set as background" option). This stopped working on JPG's altogether tho.

I've tried every method listed above to restore it, but to no avail. There's apparently something damaged by this virus that caused this (though everything else seems to work nicely now).

All the registry settings have been set so they SHOULD allow for showing of the background... and I also checked the gpedit.msc settings, all of which say "not configured".

Do you happen to know of a way to repair this function? In addition to the ways listed above?... I could really use some help here... a black background is too depressing.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 07-03-2008  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

Hi Homerpez,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Have you already checked the area in the post above yours to see if this may be the cause?

Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change


You can also do a System Restore using a restore point dated before the Virus if available.

System Restore - How to


If not, then you can do a Repair (upgrade) install to fix it.

Repair Install For Vista

Hope this helps,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 08-06-2008  
clue_less


vista home premium 32bit
 
 

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

Hi! thanks for these instructions! they really helped me fix my problem!
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 08-06-2008  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

Your welcome Clue_less, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 08-06-2008  
john k. johnson


vista home premium x64
 
 

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change

I followed all the instructions. up to the point where it said to delete the wallpaper and wallpaper style. I said it could cause system instability. should I still delete them?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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