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05/05/2008: "~ Desktop Wallpaper Won't Change? ~"
Took me a while to find a solution to this! So I don't lose it in case it reoccurs, Posting here...
Click on (more) below for instructions:
(Thanks to Rob Dunham and VG for their expertise.)
I ran across a problem with a customer's machine, and found out "I'm not crazy! This does happen!!!"
Your machine will not let you change your desktop wallpaper. As you investigate, you find out one or more of the following may be true for your machine:
* The background section of the Desktop Properties dialog may be grayed out or unusable.
* Right-clicking images and choosing Set as Desktop background has no effect.
* You are only able to change the desktop color. Any other changes have no effect.
* Wallpaper list as well as Browse button is disabled.
* You apply the desired wallpaper but desktop doesn't show it. It remains empty.
I could find no evidence of any bug that would have made these adjustments to local security settings on my customer's machine, but there they were!!! Since this is the first time I've run into it, I'm supposing it is a particular site that decides to take over for you, and it is a recent development.
Here, now, are some helps:
TRY THIS FIRST!!!!
Sometimes it is just a simple setting. Right-click on Desktop and make sure “Lock Web Items on Desktop” option is not enabled in “Arrange Icons by” menu. If it IS enabled, then disable it, reboot your computer, and your problem should be solved.
IF THAT DIDN'T WORK -->
If it wasn't the simple setting and the desktop still doesn't change for you, then do the following (If you are a novice, don't exactly understand the instructions, or are uncomfortable messing in the registry, take these instructions to your tech):
1. Open regedit and go to the following keys one by one:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies
HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies
2. Under these keys, if you see an “ActiveDesktop” key, delete it.
3. Now Look for a “System” key under a “Policies” key. If you find it, then select it and look for a string value “Wallpaper” in right-side pane. If it exists, then delete it.
4. Restart your system and you should be able to set the wallpaper.
CAUTION: Do not change anything EXCEPT these items (if they exist) or you may cause MORE problems!!!
