Desktop Background Switch Oddity

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Guest

I quite often change my desktop background. For many years I have gone to
the photo I want and "right clicked" and selected it use as the background.
However, sometimes I had to "stretch" or "tile" the photo so it would appear
properly. Of course to do this you have to go to "display properties" and
then the "desktop" tab. From here you could change the "position". Also on
this same window would be the selections for the default backgrounds built
into XP as well as my current photo. Here is the new sudden problem...Now
when I click on the desktop tab, the hour glass appears while the
"background" selection field is filled or propagated with EVERY photo on my
computer...and there are thousands! It never did this before. Previously it
only listed the standard Windows defaults. Any idea why this field is now
looking for every possible photo on my computer? I changed nothing. I can't
find a setting to select where the system looks for backgrounds. I know if
you browse it will go to "My Pictures"...but it shouldn't default to every
picture on my PC to fill the selection field.
 
Wes,

Thanks. Though I'm not quite sure what I am supposed to do with this link.
I think I understand what you are saying but does it mean to move the "My
Pictures" folder in "My Documents" so it doesn't see them? Why would this
suddenly happen if I have been doing the same thing for years? I'm fairly
computer literate but I'm not 100% sure of the what the link is telling me to
do.

Wesley Vogel said:
Where do the image files come from? [the background images listing]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/background.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
base said:
I quite often change my desktop background. For many years I have gone to
the photo I want and "right clicked" and selected it use as the
background. However, sometimes I had to "stretch" or "tile" the photo so
it would appear properly. Of course to do this you have to go to
"display properties" and then the "desktop" tab. From here you could
change the "position". Also on this same window would be the selections
for the default backgrounds built into XP as well as my current photo.
Here is the new sudden problem...Now when I click on the desktop tab, the
hour glass appears while the "background" selection field is filled or
propagated with EVERY photo on my computer...and there are thousands! It
never did this before. Previously it only listed the standard Windows
defaults. Any idea why this field is now looking for every possible
photo on my computer? I changed nothing. I can't find a setting to
select where the system looks for backgrounds. I know if you browse it
will go to "My Pictures"...but it shouldn't default to every picture on
my PC to fill the selection field.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Base,

My Display Properties | Desktop tab | Background list still shows just
what's in C:\WINDOWS and/or C:\WINDOWS\Web\Wallpaper and C:\Documents and
Settings\Wesley P. Vogel\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer. I do
not know what triggers the list to include all of the other folders.

Create a new folder on your Desktop and move all of the folders and files
from your My Pictures folder into the new folder. Open Display Properties |
Desktop tab | Background and see if the list has decreased to just the 20 or
so default items. Then move all of the folders and files from the new
folder back to your My Pictures folder. Then open Display Properties |
Desktop tab | Background and see if the list has increased again.

A. I have no way of knowing if that will do anything or not.

B. I have no way to test this because I still have just the default list and
I have no idea what causes everything in My Pictures to be listed.

But, as you can see, something causes it and you are not the first one to
experience this.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
base said:
Wes,

Thanks. Though I'm not quite sure what I am supposed to do with this
link. I think I understand what you are saying but does it mean to move
the "My Pictures" folder in "My Documents" so it doesn't see them? Why
would this suddenly happen if I have been doing the same thing for years?
I'm fairly computer literate but I'm not 100% sure of the what the link
is telling me to do.

Wesley Vogel said:
Where do the image files come from? [the background images listing]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/background.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
base said:
I quite often change my desktop background. For many years I have gone
to the photo I want and "right clicked" and selected it use as the
background. However, sometimes I had to "stretch" or "tile" the photo so
it would appear properly. Of course to do this you have to go to
"display properties" and then the "desktop" tab. From here you could
change the "position". Also on this same window would be the selections
for the default backgrounds built into XP as well as my current photo.
Here is the new sudden problem...Now when I click on the desktop tab,
the hour glass appears while the "background" selection field is filled
or propagated with EVERY photo on my computer...and there are
thousands! It never did this before. Previously it only listed the
standard Windows defaults. Any idea why this field is now looking for
every possible photo on my computer? I changed nothing. I can't find
a setting to select where the system looks for backgrounds. I know if
you browse it will go to "My Pictures"...but it shouldn't default to
every picture on my PC to fill the selection field.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Wes,

OK, I moved the "My Pictures" folder and the problem went away. It then
only recognized the standard default Windows backgrounds. When I put the
folder back where it belongs...right back to the problem again of loading a
thousand or so pictures. Now I know the reason only we don't know why it
changed the path where the default looks. I can either live with it, change
where I keep my pictures or find a way to change the route path where the
system looks for backgrounds. Thanks for the help and suggestion. If you
hear of anything to fix this problem just let me know.

Wesley Vogel said:
Base,

My Display Properties | Desktop tab | Background list still shows just
what's in C:\WINDOWS and/or C:\WINDOWS\Web\Wallpaper and C:\Documents and
Settings\Wesley P. Vogel\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer. I do
not know what triggers the list to include all of the other folders.

Create a new folder on your Desktop and move all of the folders and files
from your My Pictures folder into the new folder. Open Display Properties |
Desktop tab | Background and see if the list has decreased to just the 20 or
so default items. Then move all of the folders and files from the new
folder back to your My Pictures folder. Then open Display Properties |
Desktop tab | Background and see if the list has increased again.

A. I have no way of knowing if that will do anything or not.

B. I have no way to test this because I still have just the default list and
I have no idea what causes everything in My Pictures to be listed.

But, as you can see, something causes it and you are not the first one to
experience this.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
base said:
Wes,

Thanks. Though I'm not quite sure what I am supposed to do with this
link. I think I understand what you are saying but does it mean to move
the "My Pictures" folder in "My Documents" so it doesn't see them? Why
would this suddenly happen if I have been doing the same thing for years?
I'm fairly computer literate but I'm not 100% sure of the what the link
is telling me to do.

Wesley Vogel said:
Where do the image files come from? [the background images listing]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/background.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In base <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I quite often change my desktop background. For many years I have gone
to the photo I want and "right clicked" and selected it use as the
background. However, sometimes I had to "stretch" or "tile" the photo so
it would appear properly. Of course to do this you have to go to
"display properties" and then the "desktop" tab. From here you could
change the "position". Also on this same window would be the selections
for the default backgrounds built into XP as well as my current photo.
Here is the new sudden problem...Now when I click on the desktop tab,
the hour glass appears while the "background" selection field is filled
or propagated with EVERY photo on my computer...and there are
thousands! It never did this before. Previously it only listed the
standard Windows defaults. Any idea why this field is now looking for
every possible photo on my computer? I changed nothing. I can't find
a setting to select where the system looks for backgrounds. I know if
you browse it will go to "My Pictures"...but it shouldn't default to
every picture on my PC to fill the selection field.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
There is a registry key: WallPaperDir in

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

which may need changing; it appears that image files in this location are added to those in Windows.
 
I have the exact same problem, but my 'default' settings are no longer there.
I don't want thousands of pictures into this area, has anyone discovered a
fix yet?
Also, where are my defaults? I do need to find the file/folder.
I have a certain picture for my desktop, but can no longer find it.
HELP.........
Sue


base said:
Wes,

OK, I moved the "My Pictures" folder and the problem went away. It then
only recognized the standard default Windows backgrounds. When I put the
folder back where it belongs...right back to the problem again of loading a
thousand or so pictures. Now I know the reason only we don't know why it
changed the path where the default looks. I can either live with it, change
where I keep my pictures or find a way to change the route path where the
system looks for backgrounds. Thanks for the help and suggestion. If you
hear of anything to fix this problem just let me know.

Wesley Vogel said:
Base,

My Display Properties | Desktop tab | Background list still shows just
what's in C:\WINDOWS and/or C:\WINDOWS\Web\Wallpaper and C:\Documents and
Settings\Wesley P. Vogel\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer. I do
not know what triggers the list to include all of the other folders.

Create a new folder on your Desktop and move all of the folders and files
from your My Pictures folder into the new folder. Open Display Properties |
Desktop tab | Background and see if the list has decreased to just the 20 or
so default items. Then move all of the folders and files from the new
folder back to your My Pictures folder. Then open Display Properties |
Desktop tab | Background and see if the list has increased again.

A. I have no way of knowing if that will do anything or not.

B. I have no way to test this because I still have just the default list and
I have no idea what causes everything in My Pictures to be listed.

But, as you can see, something causes it and you are not the first one to
experience this.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
base said:
Wes,

Thanks. Though I'm not quite sure what I am supposed to do with this
link. I think I understand what you are saying but does it mean to move
the "My Pictures" folder in "My Documents" so it doesn't see them? Why
would this suddenly happen if I have been doing the same thing for years?
I'm fairly computer literate but I'm not 100% sure of the what the link
is telling me to do.

:

Where do the image files come from? [the background images listing]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/background.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In base <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I quite often change my desktop background. For many years I have gone
to the photo I want and "right clicked" and selected it use as the
background. However, sometimes I had to "stretch" or "tile" the photo so
it would appear properly. Of course to do this you have to go to
"display properties" and then the "desktop" tab. From here you could
change the "position". Also on this same window would be the selections
for the default backgrounds built into XP as well as my current photo.
Here is the new sudden problem...Now when I click on the desktop tab,
the hour glass appears while the "background" selection field is filled
or propagated with EVERY photo on my computer...and there are
thousands! It never did this before. Previously it only listed the
standard Windows defaults. Any idea why this field is now looking for
every possible photo on my computer? I changed nothing. I can't find
a setting to select where the system looks for backgrounds. I know if
you browse it will go to "My Pictures"...but it shouldn't default to
every picture on my PC to fill the selection field.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
There is a registry key: WallPaperDir in

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

which may need changing; it appears that image files in this location are
added to those in Windows.


royalpei said:
I have the exact same problem, but my 'default' settings are no longer
there.
I don't want thousands of pictures into this area, has anyone discovered a
fix yet?
Also, where are my defaults? I do need to find the file/folder.
I have a certain picture for my desktop, but can no longer find it.
HELP.........
Sue


base said:
Wes,

OK, I moved the "My Pictures" folder and the problem went away. It then
only recognized the standard default Windows backgrounds. When I put the
folder back where it belongs...right back to the problem again of loading
a
thousand or so pictures. Now I know the reason only we don't know why it
changed the path where the default looks. I can either live with it,
change
where I keep my pictures or find a way to change the route path where the
system looks for backgrounds. Thanks for the help and suggestion. If
you
hear of anything to fix this problem just let me know.

Wesley Vogel said:
Base,

My Display Properties | Desktop tab | Background list still shows just
what's in C:\WINDOWS and/or C:\WINDOWS\Web\Wallpaper and C:\Documents
and
Settings\Wesley P. Vogel\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer.
I do
not know what triggers the list to include all of the other folders.

Create a new folder on your Desktop and move all of the folders and
files
from your My Pictures folder into the new folder. Open Display
Properties |
Desktop tab | Background and see if the list has decreased to just the
20 or
so default items. Then move all of the folders and files from the new
folder back to your My Pictures folder. Then open Display Properties |
Desktop tab | Background and see if the list has increased again.

A. I have no way of knowing if that will do anything or not.

B. I have no way to test this because I still have just the default
list and
I have no idea what causes everything in My Pictures to be listed.

But, as you can see, something causes it and you are not the first one
to
experience this.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In base <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Wes,

Thanks. Though I'm not quite sure what I am supposed to do with this
link. I think I understand what you are saying but does it mean to
move
the "My Pictures" folder in "My Documents" so it doesn't see them?
Why
would this suddenly happen if I have been doing the same thing for
years?
I'm fairly computer literate but I'm not 100% sure of the what the
link
is telling me to do.

:

Where do the image files come from? [the background images listing]
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/background.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In base <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I quite often change my desktop background. For many years I have
gone
to the photo I want and "right clicked" and selected it use as the
background. However, sometimes I had to "stretch" or "tile" the
photo so
it would appear properly. Of course to do this you have to go to
"display properties" and then the "desktop" tab. From here you
could
change the "position". Also on this same window would be the
selections
for the default backgrounds built into XP as well as my current
photo.
Here is the new sudden problem...Now when I click on the desktop
tab,
the hour glass appears while the "background" selection field is
filled
or propagated with EVERY photo on my computer...and there are
thousands! It never did this before. Previously it only listed
the
standard Windows defaults. Any idea why this field is now looking
for
every possible photo on my computer? I changed nothing. I can't
find
a setting to select where the system looks for backgrounds. I know
if
you browse it will go to "My Pictures"...but it shouldn't default
to
every picture on my PC to fill the selection field.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Dan Fretwell said:
There is a registry key: WallPaperDir in

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

which may need changing; it appears that image files in this location are
added to those in Windows.
Click to expand...




As I am not real computer smart, I hate to change anything like this,
besides I am not sure of 'how' to do it.
Sue
 
royalpei said:
As I am not real computer smart, I hate to change anything like this,
besides I am not sure of 'how' to do it.
Sue
Click to expand...

Hi Sue

OK I can understand that.

I will give you instructions first how to view the key.

Go to START button click and then click Run.
You will be presented with an edit box with Open - followed by a blank line,
or if Run has been used it will contain the previous command selected (so
that if you start typing it gets deleted)
Type - regedit into the blank line
Then click OK

In the following instructions use the mouse only and that should stop you
making any unintentional changes

You will be presented by a screen somewhat reminiscent of Windows Explorer
with a tree down one side, if the window is not maximized then maximize it.
..
The tree reads: My Computer at the top and then various folders all starting
with HKEY_

find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and click the + alongside you will now get another
collection of folders starting at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Within the subtree find SOFTWARE and click the + alongside. This is likely
to be a very long collection of names etc. (in alphabetical order)

find Microsoft, click + , find Windows click +, find Current Version and
select the name "Current Version"

In the right-hand windows you will be presented with a list with headings
Name, Type, Data
You are looking for WallPaperDir. If it is there then it will probably be at
the bottom. Its type should be REG_EXPAND_SZ

Select the name and double click. This will give you the data in an edit box
and will tell you where Windows looks for its Wallpaper in addition to the
standard place - the Windows folder.

OK now you have seen it. If you do not want to change anything then click
Cancel and then close the Registry Editor window.

If WallPaperDir contains the filepath of your My Pictures folder then you
can remove it or , the safe way, alter it so that it no longer points to a
genuine folder. For example introduce a space into "Picture s". Then if
other things go wrong which appear to be related all you have to do is go
back and remove the space.

HOWEVER, if you are not happy with this procedure don't do it. Get somebody
who knows what to do to do it for you.
 
base said:
I quite often change my desktop background. For many years I have gone to
the photo I want and "right clicked" and selected it use as the background.
However, sometimes I had to "stretch" or "tile" the photo so it would appear
properly. Of course to do this you have to go to "display properties" and
then the "desktop" tab. From here you could change the "position". Also on
this same window would be the selections for the default backgrounds built
into XP as well as my current photo. Here is the new sudden problem...Now
when I click on the desktop tab, the hour glass appears while the
"background" selection field is filled or propagated with EVERY photo on my
computer...and there are thousands! It never did this before. Previously it
only listed the standard Windows defaults. Any idea why this field is now
looking for every possible photo on my computer? I changed nothing. I can't
find a setting to select where the system looks for backgrounds. I know if
you browse it will go to "My Pictures"...but it shouldn't default to every
picture on my PC to fill the selection field.
Click to expand...
 
Once you choose a picture using Settings | Desktop, the folder where that
picture resides is added to the drop-down list. So if you add a picture
from My Pictures, and My Pictures contains 500 pictures, it will take long
time to load.
 
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