Desktop Background (Wallpaper) won't change.

Question

I turn on my Dell XPS M1710 laptop and the desktop backgroun/wallpaper is all black. I can only change the solid colours, but when I want to change it to anything else under Picture Location, whether it be any Windows Wallpaper, Pictures, Sample Pictures, or Public Pictures it won't show up after double clicking it as it asks me to. What do I do?? I'm sick of seeing solid colours as my desktop background.

dunedin · Answer

I haven`t seen this problem before in Vista, but in XP it was usually a malware problem. Have you checked your system for nasties?

Run the following free programs to remove malware
SUPERAntiSpyware http://www.superantispyware.com/
Download the free version

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
Update it before running. Get it to fix all the RED entries it finds

Adeliel · Answer

Thanks so much man, I just got the computer, and hadn't added those stuff on it yet. I figuried I had some nasties

dunedin · Answer

You are welcome :smileyhappy:   Make sure you have a good antivirus running too.  If there is not one on the machine get youself a good free one like   AVG FREE   http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

Adeliel · Answer

Man,after using those programs and getting rid of the spyware and malware and adware and what not, the background still doesn't change. Any other suggestions..thanks for directing me to the free programs again

dunedin · Answer

Have you tried just changing the wallpaper manually.
Find the picture you want, "Right click image" and either set as desktop or set as background

If it still does not work download "wallpaper_enable.reg" from the following link:

http://www.winhelponline.com/fixes/wallpaper_enable.reg

Adeliel · Answer

That link didn't work, just a bunch of text showed up when i clicked on it.

dunedin · Answer

It is a .reg file.   Save it to your hard disk. Double click it and answer yes to the import prompt.

Adeliel · Answer

Thanks so much man, you're like a genius!! It finally works after intalling that .reg file. Wat was wrong with it to begin with? Oh by the way, the link didn't work yesterday when i was trying it. But today it did...not sure why.   Adeliel

dunedin · Answer

You are welcome :smileyhappy:   I don`t know what caused it.  Perhaps some malware disabled changing the wallpaper in the registry   By the way, I`m a WOman :smileyvery-happy:

dunedin · Answer

Hmmm.......  it is always assumed that anyone who fixes computers is of the masculine gender.   I`ve been doing it for years, online and often for free in my community. I`m probably old enough to be your mother :smileyvery-happy:

Adeliel · Answer

Oh snap, i'm sorry, 'western' ideological nuance at work I guess. But yeah, you're awesome. How old are you by the way?

Adeliel · Answer

hahah oh ok. I wasn't trying to hit on you or anything, just curious. It's great that you are doing this. And it's even more awesome that you are a women. But yeah, sorry that I asked for your age then. I thought you were like one of those young techies.

Adeliel · Answer

hello,   I was wondering maybe if you can help me with another issue. There is this folder on my desktop that is not deleting? It says i need permission to delete it. What should I do? It says Destination Folder Access denied.   eac

Windows General

Desktop Background (Wallpaper) won't change.

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