Vista Forums
Vista Forums Home Join Vista Forums Donate Vista Tutorials Tags

Welcome to Vista Forums we are your forum to discuss Windows Vista x64 and x86 systems. Whether you need help or just want to post an idea you have on Vista, this is the forum for you.
Register at Vista forums...the world biggest Windows Vista resource Join Vista Forums Now

Go Back   Vista Forums > Vista Forums > Tutorials

Vista Tutorial Categories Network & Internet Tutorials File & Folder Settings Tutorials Taskbar & Start Menu Tutorials Performance & Maintenance Tutorials General Tips Tutorials Programs & Features Tutorials Context Menu Tutorials Shortcut Tutorials Security & System Tools Tutorials Parental Controls Tutorials User Account Tutorials Hardware & Drivers Tutorials Appearance & Personalization Tutorials Backup & Restore Tutorials Music, Photo, Video and Media Tutorials Power Management Tutorials

Desktop Background Wallpaper

Update your Vista Drivers Update Your Drivers Now!!
Poll: Did this Tutorial help and work for you?
Poll Options
Did this Tutorial help and work for you?

Comment
 
Tutorial Tools Display Modes
<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Desktop Background Wallpaper<!-- google_ad_section_end -->
Desktop Background Wallpaper
Published by Brink
09-10-2007

How to Change the Desktop Background Wallpaper in Vista
Information
  The desktop background wallpaper is the image on the desktop from your personal collection or one that comes with Vista. You can also select a color for your desktop background or use a color to frame your background picture.
NOTE
  The default Wallpaper folder is located at: C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper
Tip
  You can download a ton of free wallpapers at: Free wallpapers, wallpaper download at Jurko.net
RELATED LINKS:
Here's How:
1. Right click on a empty area of your desktop and click on Personalize. (See screenshot below)

Name:  Right_Click.jpg
Views: 3120
Size:  5.6 KB

2. Click on Desktop Background. (See screenshot below)

Name:  Desktop_Background.jpg
Views: 3107
Size:  7.0 KB

3. To select a Image that is Displayed for the Wallpaper -
A) Highlight the image. (See screenshot below step 4)
NOTE: If you highlight the image, you can see a preview of it on your desktop.
4. To Select a Image from Another Location for the Wallpaper -
A) Click the drop down arrow under Picture Location.
B) Select a folder that has your image in it.
NOTE: You can edit this Picture Location list from within the registry location below to remove them:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\Images
Name:  Drop_Down.jpg
Views: 3110
Size:  7.2 KB
OR

C) Click on Browse and navigate to the location of the image.
5. Choose how the picture should be positioned on the desktop.
NOTE: Only Fit to screen, Tile, and Center are available for the Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions. You will need to install DreamScene in Vista Ultimate before you see the Fit to screen keeping aspect ratio and Fit To Screen with cropping options.

6. Click on OK.

Click the image to open in full size.
That's it,
Shawn

Published by
Brink's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 16,631
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute

Tutorial Tools
Show Printable Version Show Printable Version
Email this Page Email this Page

Applies to
All Vista Versions
64 Bit & 32 Bit

Old 11-07-2007  
webangel
Newbie


Join Date: Nov 2007
Windows Vista Basic
 
Rep Power: 7
webangel is on a distinguished road
  webangel is offline

Question Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper

I have Windows Vista Basic and all of a sudden one day the desktop
background would not let me put any wallpaper on it.

It would only let me choose solid colors....I've searched high and low on
the internet on how to fix this problem but keep running into dead ends.
I went on the internet and tried a different picture but when I click on it to set it as my background it stays a solid color. Any ideas on how to fix this?
webangel

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-07-2007  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator


Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP1
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is online now

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper

Hi WebAngel,

Welcome to the forum.
This should get rid of your problem.

How to Fix Only Solid Colors Available for Desktop Background :
1. Open Control Panel (Classic View).
2. Click on the Ease of Access Center icon.
3. Click on Make the computer easier to see. (See screenshot below)

Name:  Ease_Center.jpg
Views: 2614
Size:  3.5 KB

4. Uncheck Remove background images (where available) . (See screenshot below)
5. Click Save.

Name:  Settings.jpg
Views: 2619
Size:  43.7 KB


That's it,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-07-2007  
webangel
Newbie


Join Date: Nov 2007
Windows Vista Basic
 
Rep Power: 7
webangel is on a distinguished road
  webangel is offline

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper

Shawn,
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I was gonna try what you said to do but my screen doesn't look like the one that you showed above. Thanks for helping though. I appreciate it.
Cheryl
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-07-2007  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator


Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP1
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is online now

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper

WebAngel,

Which part is different?

Did you click on Classic View in the upper left corner of the Control Panel?

You may need to scroll down a bit to see the options shown.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-07-2007  
webangel
Newbie


Join Date: Nov 2007
Windows Vista Basic
 
Rep Power: 7
webangel is on a distinguished road
  webangel is offline

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper

Shawn,
Still doesn't want to work. I don't know. Thanks anyway for your help.
Cheryl
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-07-2007  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator


Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP1
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is online now

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper

Cheryl,

Do not give up yet.

This is more drastic, but it should do the trick for you. Try doing a Repair Install. This tutorial will show you how.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-17-2007  
lcangel64
Newbie


Join Date: Nov 2007
Vista Basic
 
Rep Power: 9
lcangel64 will become famous soon enoughlcangel64 will become famous soon enough
  lcangel64 is offline

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper

Dear Webangel and all others who suffer with this desktop background issue:
I too suffered with this frustrating problem. Being the stubborn individual I am, I searched high and low for a solution. While I cannot take credit for figuring out the problem, I can send you to a link that FIXES THIS PROBLEM! It worked for me. Go to this page:
Solution for computer that can't change desktop wallpaper / background | Castellini on Computers Radio Show with Rick and Adam

You won't be sorry!
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-17-2007  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator


Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP1
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is online now

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper

Hi lcangel64,

Welcome to the forum.

Nice tip. Thank you for providing it.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 08-01-2008  
w@t
Newbie


Join Date: Jun 2008
vista x64
 
Rep Power: 3
w@t is on a distinguished road
  w@t is offline

Re: Desktop Background Wallpaper

good and bad
My desktop went to solid "in a flash" followed by spyware warning. Following the registry steps in the site provided bi Iangel64 I found there was no "Wallpaper"

the message i get when i try to modify the desktop background is "This feature has been disables pleasce contact your system administrator for details." Of course, I am the sys admin.

Any other hints before i go through teh repair cycle?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Comment

Tags
appearance & personalize, background, desktop, wallpaper

Tutorial Tools
Display Modes


Update your Vista Drivers Update Your Drivers Now!!

Similar Threads
Tutorial Tutorial Starter Category Comments Last Post
Desktop Background Wallpaper - Prevent Change Brink Tutorials 15 2 Weeks Ago 09:45 AM
Desktop background (wallpaper) keeps reverting back to imageHPSproutv2- Vista Home Premium rich.bovenzi Vista General 0 06-16-2008 07:22 AM
wallpaper background shea Vista General 4 03-13-2008 10:15 AM
Background wallpaper not working Bridget Vista music pictures video 6 03-04-2008 05:34 AM
background (wallpaper) mary Vista General 4 07-04-2007 07:42 PM



Vistax64.com is an independent web site and has not been authorized,
sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation.
"Windows Vista", the Start Orb, and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
© Designer Media 2005-2008
Tutorial powered by GARS 2.1.8m ©2005-2006