How do I choose my own desktop wallpaper?

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.