Simple clear advice in plain English

How do I choose my own desktop wallpaper?

Select your desktop wallpaper from a folder of your choosing

q-a-logo

Q Can you advise how to ensure my picture choices are always available in the list when I click Control Panel, Display Properties, Desktop Background menu? I’m using Windows XP.
Bob McFadden

A Without installing extra software the easiest way to do this is to change the folder Windows looks in for wallpapers. This is possible by editing the Registry. This is for experienced PC users only. If you are not, you’ll have to put up with the inconvenience of having to change the folder when searching for the images.

Also bear in mind that changing the folder in which Windows looks for the images will remove the normal wallpaper options from the menu.

Before making any changes to the Registry, make sure all your documents are backed up. Left-click on the Start Menu and then on Run. Type regedit and press Enter. Click on the plus symbols next to the following entries in the left-hand column: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, SOFTWARE, Microsoft, Windows and Current Version.

In the main part of the window should be an entry called WallPaperDir. Right-click on this and select Modify. Type the name of the folder you want to keep the wallpapers in. Click OK and close regedit to save the changes.

Article tags

Reader Comments

   

Add your comment

All fields must be completed. Your email address will not be displayed or used to send marketing messages.

All messages will be checked by moderators before appearing on the site.

See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Related articles

earth-view

EarthView 3.11.3

Image of the Earth as a screensaver

screenshot-of-wallpaper-juggler-preferences

Change your deskop wallpaper automatically with Wallpaper Juggler 0.5.3

This free utility cycles through wallpaper images within a folder

Find your background

Select a photo to become your desktop background

Question & Answer

Q.Why are some of the keys on my keyboard doing strange...

> Read the answer

Q.Is my phone’s Bluetooth any use?

> Read the answer

Q.Can I switch boot drives so that I can work on older...

> Read the answer

Best deals on the web

img

Samsung RV520-A07

£359.98- Buy it now

img

Acer Aspire 5750G (LX.RXP02.019)

£399.99- Buy it now

img

Apple MacBook Pro (MD313B/A)

£904.37- Buy it now

Latest issue & subscription deals

Poll

Are you concerned about viruses that target mobile phones?

Jargon Buster

Computing terms explained in plain English

CAD

Computer Aided Design. Software used to create 3D models.

Great shopping deals from Computeractive