Vista - How do you clear the Desktop Background "Picture Location" History

When a user adds custom wallpaper, the file path shows in the "Picture
Location" drop-down menu and it seems that every new path gets added without
a limit. Is there a way to clear the file paths showing up for custom
wallpapers in the Desktop Background options?

Hi Justin,

You'll find them in the registry here:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\Images

Run regedit from the start box, expand the branches to that key. Click on
the strings you want to remove in the right pane and delete them.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"Justin" <Justin@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6DA9AA4E-7A9A-45A6-BF25-6C2E5ABBF05D@microsoft.com...
> When a user adds custom wallpaper, the file path shows in the "Picture
> Location" drop-down menu and it seems that every new path gets added
> without
> a limit. Is there a way to clear the file paths showing up for custom
> wallpapers in the Desktop Background options?

Great! Thank you much, Rick!

"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi Justin,
>
> You'll find them in the registry here:
> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\Images
>
> Run regedit from the start box, expand the branches to that key. Click on
> the strings you want to remove in the right pane and delete them.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> "Justin" <Justin@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:6DA9AA4E-7A9A-45A6-BF25-6C2E5ABBF05D@microsoft.com...
> > When a user adds custom wallpaper, the file path shows in the "Picture
> > Location" drop-down menu and it seems that every new path gets added
> > without
> > a limit. Is there a way to clear the file paths showing up for custom
> > wallpapers in the Desktop Background options?
>
>

I am having the same problem as Justin, but after trying the method of
deleting strings in
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\Images
the folders still appear in the desktop background drop down box. I have
even tried logging off and on, but still no change (other than Vista screwing
up my folder views again, after a long time without that problem). If it
helps, i have Dreamscene preview installed and also Stardock DeskScapes. I
have a feeling that these two programs have something to do with not being
able to clear the list. Is there another way of clearing the list other than
the one mentioned before? Thanks

Make sure that the "Desktop Background" applet is closed when you make the registry edit. Otherwise Windows will add the entries again, upon closing the "Desktop Background" applet.

How do you clear the Desktop Background "Picture Location" History in Windows Vista:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/144/1/

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"k1190" <k1190@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4BAD012B-0403-43BC-9C6A-43604F7CBD46@microsoft.com...
I am having the same problem as Justin, but after trying the method of
deleting strings in
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\Images
the folders still appear in the desktop background drop down box. I have
even tried logging off and on, but still no change (other than Vista screwing
up my folder views again, after a long time without that problem). If it
helps, i have Dreamscene preview installed and also Stardock DeskScapes. I
have a feeling that these two programs have something to do with not being
able to clear the list. Is there another way of clearing the list other than
the one mentioned before? Thanks

I tried what you said. I am pretty sure i closed the desktop background
applet properly by clicking on the X symbol or clicking OK. Still no change.
When i deleted the strings for the other folders, they don't appear in the
registry anymore except for the current folder of my current background. But
all those folders still appear in the drop down box. I also tried the .reg
file, but it still didn't clear it. I deleted the MRU folder under the
Wallpaper directory(one directory above Wallpapers) in the registry, just to
see if anything would change. Still no change. Any ideas?

By the way, is there a method of clearing the folder list for the "Slide
Show" gadget in Windows Sidebar. It is similar to the desktop background drop
down box.

Thanks

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> Make sure that the "Desktop Background" applet is closed when you make the registry edit. Otherwise Windows will add the entries again, upon closing the "Desktop Background" applet.
>
> How do you clear the Desktop Background "Picture Location" History in Windows Vista:
> http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/144/1/
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "k1190" <k1190@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4BAD012B-0403-43BC-9C6A-43604F7CBD46@microsoft.com...
> I am having the same problem as Justin, but after trying the method of
> deleting strings in
> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\Images
> the folders still appear in the desktop background drop down box. I have
> even tried logging off and on, but still no change (other than Vista screwing
> up my folder views again, after a long time without that problem). If it
> helps, i have Dreamscene preview installed and also Stardock DeskScapes. I
> have a feeling that these two programs have something to do with not being
> able to clear the list. Is there another way of clearing the list other than
> the one mentioned before? Thanks
>

Perhaps a reboot will help? Also check if the entries/strings are re-added in the mentioned registry branch, just in case.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"k1190" <k1190@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:50EA4F9C-3F8B-482F-B566-199FF5329503@microsoft.com...
I tried what you said. I am pretty sure i closed the desktop background
applet properly by clicking on the X symbol or clicking OK. Still no change.
When i deleted the strings for the other folders, they don't appear in the
registry anymore except for the current folder of my current background. But
all those folders still appear in the drop down box. I also tried the ..reg
file, but it still didn't clear it. I deleted the MRU folder under the
Wallpaper directory(one directory above Wallpapers) in the registry, just to
see if anything would change. Still no change. Any ideas?

By the way, is there a method of clearing the folder list for the "Slide
Show" gadget in Windows Sidebar. It is similar to the desktop background drop
down box.

Thanks

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> Make sure that the "Desktop Background" applet is closed when you make the registry edit. Otherwise Windows will add the entries again, upon closing the "Desktop Background" applet.
>
> How do you clear the Desktop Background "Picture Location" History in Windows Vista:
> http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/144/1/
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "k1190" <k1190@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4BAD012B-0403-43BC-9C6A-43604F7CBD46@microsoft.com...
> I am having the same problem as Justin, but after trying the method of
> deleting strings in
> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\Images
> the folders still appear in the desktop background drop down box. I have
> even tried logging off and on, but still no change (other than Vista screwing
> up my folder views again, after a long time without that problem). If it
> helps, i have Dreamscene preview installed and also Stardock DeskScapes. I
> have a feeling that these two programs have something to do with not being
> able to clear the list. Is there another way of clearing the list other than
> the one mentioned before? Thanks
>

>> I am pretty sure i closed the desktop background applet properly

If you click the OK button, you'll return to the Control Panel - Personalization section. Close that Window as well.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"k1190" <k1190@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:50EA4F9C-3F8B-482F-B566-199FF5329503@microsoft.com...
I tried what you said. I am pretty sure i closed the desktop background
applet properly by clicking on the X symbol or clicking OK. Still no change.
When i deleted the strings for the other folders, they don't appear in the
registry anymore except for the current folder of my current background. But
all those folders still appear in the drop down box. I also tried the ..reg
file, but it still didn't clear it. I deleted the MRU folder under the
Wallpaper directory(one directory above Wallpapers) in the registry, just to
see if anything would change. Still no change. Any ideas?

By the way, is there a method of clearing the folder list for the "Slide
Show" gadget in Windows Sidebar. It is similar to the desktop background drop
down box.

Thanks

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> Make sure that the "Desktop Background" applet is closed when you make the registry edit. Otherwise Windows will add the entries again, upon closing the "Desktop Background" applet.
>
> How do you clear the Desktop Background "Picture Location" History in Windows Vista:
> http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/144/1/
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "k1190" <k1190@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4BAD012B-0403-43BC-9C6A-43604F7CBD46@microsoft.com...
> I am having the same problem as Justin, but after trying the method of
> deleting strings in
> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\Images
> the folders still appear in the desktop background drop down box. I have
> even tried logging off and on, but still no change (other than Vista screwing
> up my folder views again, after a long time without that problem). If it
> helps, i have Dreamscene preview installed and also Stardock DeskScapes. I
> have a feeling that these two programs have something to do with not being
> able to clear the list. Is there another way of clearing the list other than
> the one mentioned before? Thanks
>

Tried a reboot but still no change. And none of those entries get re-added.
They're no longer in the registry, but still appear in the drop down box. I
have a feeling it has something to do with Dreamscene or Stardock Deskscapes.
If there are no other fixes then I'll just leave it be. Any thoughts on the
slide show gadget?

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> Perhaps a reboot will help? Also check if the entries/strings are re-added in the mentioned registry branch, just in case.
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "k1190" <k1190@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:50EA4F9C-3F8B-482F-B566-199FF5329503@microsoft.com...
> I tried what you said. I am pretty sure i closed the desktop background
> applet properly by clicking on the X symbol or clicking OK. Still no change.
> When i deleted the strings for the other folders, they don't appear in the
> registry anymore except for the current folder of my current background. But
> all those folders still appear in the drop down box. I also tried the ..reg
> file, but it still didn't clear it. I deleted the MRU folder under the
> Wallpaper directory(one directory above Wallpapers) in the registry, just to
> see if anything would change. Still no change. Any ideas?
>
> By the way, is there a method of clearing the folder list for the "Slide
> Show" gadget in Windows Sidebar. It is similar to the desktop background drop
> down box.
>
> Thanks
>
> "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
>
> > Make sure that the "Desktop Background" applet is closed when you make the registry edit. Otherwise Windows will add the entries again, upon closing the "Desktop Background" applet.
> >
> > How do you clear the Desktop Background "Picture Location" History in Windows Vista:
> > http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/144/1/
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> >
> > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
> >
> >
> > "k1190" <k1190@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4BAD012B-0403-43BC-9C6A-43604F7CBD46@microsoft.com...
> > I am having the same problem as Justin, but after trying the method of
> > deleting strings in
> > HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\Images
> > the folders still appear in the desktop background drop down box. I have
> > even tried logging off and on, but still no change (other than Vista screwing
> > up my folder views again, after a long time without that problem). If it
> > helps, i have Dreamscene preview installed and also Stardock DeskScapes. I
> > have a feeling that these two programs have something to do with not being
> > able to clear the list. Is there another way of clearing the list other than
> > the one mentioned before? Thanks
> >
>

Tried that. Still doesn't work.

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> >> I am pretty sure i closed the desktop background applet properly
>
> If you click the OK button, you'll return to the Control Panel - Personalization section. Close that Window as well.
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "k1190" <k1190@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:50EA4F9C-3F8B-482F-B566-199FF5329503@microsoft.com...
> I tried what you said. I am pretty sure i closed the desktop background
> applet properly by clicking on the X symbol or clicking OK. Still no change.
> When i deleted the strings for the other folders, they don't appear in the
> registry anymore except for the current folder of my current background. But
> all those folders still appear in the drop down box. I also tried the ..reg
> file, but it still didn't clear it. I deleted the MRU folder under the
> Wallpaper directory(one directory above Wallpapers) in the registry, just to
> see if anything would change. Still no change. Any ideas?
>
> By the way, is there a method of clearing the folder list for the "Slide
> Show" gadget in Windows Sidebar. It is similar to the desktop background drop
> down box.
>
> Thanks
>
> "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
>
> > Make sure that the "Desktop Background" applet is closed when you make the registry edit. Otherwise Windows will add the entries again, upon closing the "Desktop Background" applet.
> >
> > How do you clear the Desktop Background "Picture Location" History in Windows Vista:
> > http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/144/1/
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> >
> > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
> >
> >
> > "k1190" <k1190@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4BAD012B-0403-43BC-9C6A-43604F7CBD46@microsoft.com...
> > I am having the same problem as Justin, but after trying the method of
> > deleting strings in
> > HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\Images
> > the folders still appear in the desktop background drop down box. I have
> > even tried logging off and on, but still no change (other than Vista screwing
> > up my folder views again, after a long time without that problem). If it
> > helps, i have Dreamscene preview installed and also Stardock DeskScapes. I
> > have a feeling that these two programs have something to do with not being
> > able to clear the list. Is there another way of clearing the list other than
> > the one mentioned before? Thanks
> >
>