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Author Desktop Background is greyed out
DPO

2005-05-08, 1:46 am

I am unable to change my desktop background beond a plain color. Under
Desktop the Background picture list is greyed out, I can't select Browse
Position or a file name. If I right click on a picture and say set as
background nothing happens. Under Customize Desktop/Web there is nothing
selected. It is driving me nuts !!!
Doug Knox MS-MVP

2005-05-08, 4:48 pm

This newsgroup is devoted to the Windows Powered Smart Display devices. =
However, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Acti=
veDesktop

Look in the right pane for a value called NoChangingWallPaper. If it =
exists, its probably set to 1. Double click it and change it to 0 =
(zero). If it doesn't exist, right click in a blank area of the right =
pane and select, New, DWord value and name it NoChangingWallPaper. =
Leave it set at 0.

--=20
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
=20
"DPO" <DPO@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message =
news:2427FCCA-F98F-4764-842A-757CD887FA56@microsoft.com...
>I am unable to change my desktop background beond a plain color. Under =


> Desktop the Background picture list is greyed out, I can't select =

Browse=20
> Position or a file name. If I right click on a picture and say set as =


> background nothing happens. Under Customize Desktop/Web there is =

nothing=20
> selected. It is driving me nuts !!!

aaard

2005-05-14, 11:48 pm

Thanks Doug tried that but it was there and set to zero already !!

"Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:

> This newsgroup is devoted to the Windows Powered Smart Display devices. However, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:
>
> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
>
> Look in the right pane for a value called NoChangingWallPaper. If it exists, its probably set to 1. Double click it and change it to 0 (zero). If it doesn't exist, right click in a blank area of the right pane and select, New, DWord value and name it

NoChangingWallPaper. Leave it set at 0.
>
> --
> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display
> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> http://www.dougknox.com
> --------------------------------
> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> --------------------------------
> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
> "DPO" <DPO@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2427FCCA-F98F-4764-842A-757CD887FA56@microsoft.com...
>

Doug Knox MS-MVP

2005-05-14, 11:48 pm

Try the same value, NoChangingWallPaper, but look in:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr
entVersion\Policies\Act=
iveDesktop

--=20
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart =
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
=20
"aaard" <aaard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message =
news:486A0882-31A9-443A-A930-665B2E6CA027@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
> Thanks Doug tried that but it was there and set to zero already !!
>=20
> "Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:
>=20
devices. However, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Acti=
veDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
exists, its probably set to 1. Double click it and change it to 0 =
(zero). If it doesn't exist, right click in a blank area of the right =
pane and select, New, DWord value and name it NoChangingWallPaper. =
Leave it set at 0.[vbcol=seagreen]
news:2427FCCA-F98F-4764-842A-757CD887FA56@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
Under=20[vbcol=seagreen]
Browse=20[vbcol=seagreen]
as=20[vbcol=seagreen]
nothing=20[vbcol=seagreen]
aaard

2005-05-20, 11:49 pm

Thanks Created ActiveDesktop then the key but alas not fixed. Thanks anyway

"Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:

> Try the same value, NoChangingWallPaper, but look in:
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr
entVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
>
> --
> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display\Security
> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> http://www.dougknox.com
> --------------------------------
> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> --------------------------------
> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
> "aaard" <aaard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:486A0882-31A9-443A-A930-665B2E6CA027@microsoft.com...
it NoChangingWallPaper. Leave it set at 0.[vbcol=seagreen]
>

Doug Knox MS-MVP

2005-05-20, 11:49 pm

Try deleting the NoChangingWallPaper value in both HKCU and HKLM. By =
default, its not there anyway. A 0 (zero) setting should be the same as =
it not being there, but that's not always the case.

--=20
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart =
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
=20
"aaard" <aaard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message =
news:1A8322F5-A990-4853-B5F3-7AEC410ED6B2@microsoft.com...
> Thanks Created ActiveDesktop then the key but alas not fixed. Thanks =

anyway[vbcol=seagreen]
>=20
> "Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:
>=20
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr
entVersion\Policies\Act=
iveDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:486A0882-31A9-443A-A930-665B2E6CA027@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
devices. However, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Acti=
veDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
it exists, its probably set to 1. Double click it and change it to 0 =
(zero). If it doesn't exist, right click in a blank area of the right =
pane and select, New, DWord value and name it NoChangingWallPaper. =
Leave it set at 0.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display[vbcol=seagreen]
news:2427FCCA-F98F-4764-842A-757CD887FA56@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
Under=20[vbcol=seagreen]
select Browse=20[vbcol=seagreen]
set as=20[vbcol=seagreen]
is nothing=20[vbcol=seagreen]
aaard

2005-05-22, 5:47 am

Sorry did not work still can not select a bmp background the list of pictures
is there but you can't select one.

"Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:

> Try deleting the NoChangingWallPaper value in both HKCU and HKLM. By default, its not there anyway. A 0 (zero) setting should be the same as it not being there, but that's not always the case.
>
> --
> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display\Security
> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> http://www.dougknox.com
> --------------------------------
> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> --------------------------------
> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
> "aaard" <aaard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:1A8322F5-A990-4853-B5F3-7AEC410ED6B2@microsoft.com...
ame it NoChangingWallPaper. Leave it set at 0.[vbcol=seagreen]
>

Doug Knox MS-MVP

2005-05-25, 11:48 pm

Last try, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Syst=
em

Look in the right pane for a value called Wallpaper. If it exists, =
right click it and select Delete.

--=20
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart =
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
=20
"aaard" <aaard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message =
news:ADBECB84-3C4D-4C82-8C51-1BBE2F895DD8@microsoft.com...
> Sorry did not work still can not select a bmp background the list of =

pictures=20[vbcol=seagreen]
> is there but you can't select one.
>=20
> "Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:
>=20
default, its not there anyway. A 0 (zero) setting should be the same as =
it not being there, but that's not always the case.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:1A8322F5-A990-4853-B5F3-7AEC410ED6B2@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
Thanks anyway[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr
entVersion\Policies\Act=
iveDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:486A0882-31A9-443A-A930-665B2E6CA027@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
!![vbcol=seagreen]
devices. However, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Acti=
veDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
If it exists, its probably set to 1. Double click it and change it to 0 =
(zero). If it doesn't exist, right click in a blank area of the right =
pane and select, New, DWord value and name it NoChangingWallPaper. =
Leave it set at 0.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display[vbcol=seagreen]
news:2427FCCA-F98F-4764-842A-757CD887FA56@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
color. Under=20[vbcol=seagreen]
select Browse=20[vbcol=seagreen]
say set as=20[vbcol=seagreen]
there is nothing=20[vbcol=seagreen]
Bourne

2006-05-16, 1:47 pm

Hi there Doug, I had just had the very same problem with displaying the background. I just did like you said to delete the value Wallpaper under system it worked.
I just wanted to say thanks!
tupacned

2006-06-11, 12:02 pm

quote:
Originally posted by Bourne
Hi there Doug, I had just had the very same problem with displaying the background. I just did like you said to delete the value Wallpaper under system it worked.
I just wanted to say thanks!



I had the same problem and did the same. worked for me to!

Big thanks guys!!!

Ned
jramundson

2007-01-08, 12:53 am

Thanks for your help. I followed the steps and the last one took care of my problem as well. Glad you took time to respond.

Jeremy
jramundson

2007-01-08, 12:54 am

Thanks for your help. Last step solved my problem. Thanks for taking the time to help.

Jeremy
ajenny

2007-04-15, 8:12 pm

quote:
Originally posted by tupacned
I had the same problem and did the same. worked for me to!

Big thanks guys!!!

Ned



I also had the same problem. I tried all the spyware and virus programs and registry settings mentioned above except the last one. And that one worked. Any idea how this setting gets made? I had no such trouble until a day ago. Should I be concerned about anything else?
Brian294

2007-10-13, 1:48 pm

I just wanted to say thank you. This step fixed my problem too.

quote:
Originally posted by Doug Knox MS-MVP
Last try, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Syst=
em

Look in the right pane for a value called Wallpaper. If it exists, =
right click it and select Delete.

--=20
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart =
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
=20
"aaard" <aaard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message =
news:ADBECB84-3C4D-4C82-8C51-1BBE2F895DD8@microsoft.com...
> Sorry did not work still can not select a bmp background the list of =

pictures=20[vbcol=seagreen]
> is there but you can't select one.
>=20
> "Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:
>=20
default, its not there anyway. A 0 (zero) setting should be the same as =
it not being there, but that's not always the case.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:1A8322F5-A990-4853-B5F3-7AEC410ED6B2@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
Thanks anyway[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr
entVersion\Policies\Act=
iveDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:486A0882-31A9-443A-A930-665B2E6CA027@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
!![vbcol=seagreen]
devices. However, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Acti=
veDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
If it exists, its probably set to 1. Double click it and change it to 0 =
(zero). If it doesn't exist, right click in a blank area of the right =
pane and select, New, DWord value and name it NoChangingWallPaper. =
Leave it set at 0.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display[vbcol=seagreen]
news:2427FCCA-F98F-4764-842A-757CD887FA56@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
color. Under=20[vbcol=seagreen]
select Browse=20[vbcol=seagreen]
say set as=20[vbcol=seagreen]
there is nothing=20[vbcol=seagreen]

Brian294

2007-10-13, 2:53 pm

I just wanted to say thank you. This step fixed my problem too.

quote:
Originally posted by Doug Knox MS-MVP
Last try, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Syst=
em

Look in the right pane for a value called Wallpaper. If it exists, =
right click it and select Delete.

--=20
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart =
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
=20
"aaard" <aaard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message =
news:ADBECB84-3C4D-4C82-8C51-1BBE2F895DD8@microsoft.com...
> Sorry did not work still can not select a bmp background the list of =

pictures=20[vbcol=seagreen]
> is there but you can't select one.
>=20
> "Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:
>=20
default, its not there anyway. A 0 (zero) setting should be the same as =
it not being there, but that's not always the case.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:1A8322F5-A990-4853-B5F3-7AEC410ED6B2@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
Thanks anyway[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr
entVersion\Policies\Act=
iveDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:486A0882-31A9-443A-A930-665B2E6CA027@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
!![vbcol=seagreen]
devices. However, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Acti=
veDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
If it exists, its probably set to 1. Double click it and change it to 0 =
(zero). If it doesn't exist, right click in a blank area of the right =
pane and select, New, DWord value and name it NoChangingWallPaper. =
Leave it set at 0.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display[vbcol=seagreen]
news:2427FCCA-F98F-4764-842A-757CD887FA56@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
color. Under=20[vbcol=seagreen]
select Browse=20[vbcol=seagreen]
say set as=20[vbcol=seagreen]
there is nothing=20[vbcol=seagreen]

datamitch

2007-11-17, 2:48 pm

Cheers Dug your a STAR*. Had this problem but no more. I'm always a little nervious went altering the regedit.


quote:
Originally posted by Doug Knox MS-MVP
Last try, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Syst=
em

Look in the right pane for a value called Wallpaper. If it exists, =
right click it and select Delete.

--=20
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart =
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
=20
"aaard" <aaard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message =
news:ADBECB84-3C4D-4C82-8C51-1BBE2F895DD8@microsoft.com...
> Sorry did not work still can not select a bmp background the list of =

pictures=20[vbcol=seagreen]
> is there but you can't select one.
>=20
> "Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:
>=20
default, its not there anyway. A 0 (zero) setting should be the same as =
it not being there, but that's not always the case.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:1A8322F5-A990-4853-B5F3-7AEC410ED6B2@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
Thanks anyway[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr
entVersion\Policies\Act=
iveDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:486A0882-31A9-443A-A930-665B2E6CA027@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
!![vbcol=seagreen]
devices. However, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Acti=
veDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
If it exists, its probably set to 1. Double click it and change it to 0 =
(zero). If it doesn't exist, right click in a blank area of the right =
pane and select, New, DWord value and name it NoChangingWallPaper. =
Leave it set at 0.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display[vbcol=seagreen]
news:2427FCCA-F98F-4764-842A-757CD887FA56@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
color. Under=20[vbcol=seagreen]
select Browse=20[vbcol=seagreen]
say set as=20[vbcol=seagreen]
there is nothing=20[vbcol=seagreen]

djtoz90

2008-03-03, 8:28 pm

quote:
Originally posted by Doug Knox MS-MVP
Last try, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Syst=
em

Look in the right pane for a value called Wallpaper. If it exists, =
right click it and select Delete.

--=20
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart =
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
=20
"aaard" <aaard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message =
news:ADBECB84-3C4D-4C82-8C51-1BBE2F895DD8@microsoft.com...
> Sorry did not work still can not select a bmp background the list of =

pictures=20[vbcol=seagreen]
> is there but you can't select one.
>=20
> "Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:
>=20
default, its not there anyway. A 0 (zero) setting should be the same as =
it not being there, but that's not always the case.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:1A8322F5-A990-4853-B5F3-7AEC410ED6B2@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
Thanks anyway[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr
entVersion\Policies\Act=
iveDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
Display\Security[vbcol=seagreen]
news:486A0882-31A9-443A-A930-665B2E6CA027@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
!![vbcol=seagreen]
devices. However, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:[vbcol=seagreen]
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Acti=
veDesktop[vbcol=seagreen]
If it exists, its probably set to 1. Double click it and change it to 0 =
(zero). If it doesn't exist, right click in a blank area of the right =
pane and select, New, DWord value and name it NoChangingWallPaper. =
Leave it set at 0.[vbcol=seagreen]
Display[vbcol=seagreen]
news:2427FCCA-F98F-4764-842A-757CD887FA56@microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
color. Under=20[vbcol=seagreen]
select Browse=20[vbcol=seagreen]
say set as=20[vbcol=seagreen]
there is nothing=20[vbcol=seagreen]




Thanks so much i was pulling my hair out trying to fix this i hate spyware only just bought this pc and neally got killed already :O

Thanks agen
fenton

2008-05-11, 3:21 pm

quote:
Last try, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre
ntVersion\Policies\Syst=
em

Look in the right pane for a value called Wallpaper. If it exists, =
right click it and select Delete.


Doug, you're a Godsend! This last one worked!

My mother's been having the hardest time with this for a while now. She had even spent several hours on the phone with DELL, to no avail.

Thanks for your help!

Fenton.
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