As in Windows NT 4.0, The standard desktop wallpaper settings are located at:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
The Wallpaper string value contains the <filename.bmp> value for the bitmap that you wish to use. If the file is
NOT located in the %systemRoot% or %Systemroot%\System32 folder, you must include the path.
If you make the change using the Control Panel / Display / Background tab, it is effective immediately.
The TileWallpaper string can have two data values, 1 tiles the wallpaper and 0 does not.
The WallpaperStyle string has 2 possible data values, 0 does NOT stretch the bitmap, and 2
stretches the the bitmap. You may not set TileWallpaper to 1, if WallpaperStyle is a 2.
If you don't tile the bitmap and don't stretch the bitmap, it will be centered on your screen.
If you wish to set the location of the bitmap, Add Value name WallpaperOriginX as a string data type,
and set it to the number of pixels from the left hand edge of the screen. Add Value name WallpaperOriginY as a string data
type, and set it to the number of pixels from the top of the screen.
NOTE: If you set WallpaperOriginX and WallpaperOriginY to 0, it centers the wallpaper. If you meant top left
corner, set both to 1.
If the bitmap doesn't fill the screen, you may want to set the background color. Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors.
Double-click the Background value name and set the string
to the RGB value. The default string is 58 110 165. Here is a table of common colors:
| Color |
Red |
Green |
Blue |
| white |
255 |
255 |
255 |
| red |
255 |
0 |
0 |
| yellow |
255 |
255 |
0 |
| green |
0 |
255 |
0 |
| cyan |
0 |
255 |
255 |
| blue |
0 |
0 |
255 |
| magenta |
255 |
0 |
255 |
| brown |
229 |
42 |
42 |
| black |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| JSI burgundy |
153 |
0 |
0 |
The above entries can be superceded by a policy and/or by Active Desktop.
The
Wallpaper,
TileWallpaper, and
WallpaperStyle entries for Active Desktop are located at:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General.
If the Active Desktop Wallpaper Group Policy is enabled
(User Configuration\AdministrativeTemplates\Desktop\Active Desktop),
the entries at:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System become effective.
The Wallpaper string contains the path and filename of the image, which can be
a bitmap (*.bmp), JPEG (*.jpg), or HTML (*.htm, *.html) file. When this entry is set, the user is prevented from
changing the image or its' presentation. If the policy is Not configured, you can configure it via the registry.
The path and filename can be local or a UNC to a server share.
The WallpaperStyle entry can have the following values:
0 Centered.
1 Tiled.
2 Stretched.
(Not in registry) The policy is not configured.
Wallpaper is centered, but users can change the presentation.
You can enable Active Desktop using a policy
(User Configuration\AdministrativeTemplates\Desktop\Active Desktop), or navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
and Add Value name ForceActiveDesktopOn, a REG_DWORD data type, set to 1.
With the policy enabled, or ForceActiveDesktopOn set to 1, users are prevented from changing:
The Show Web Content item on the context menu that appears when you right-click the desktop;
The Show Web content on my Active Desktop item on the Web tab in Display in Control Panel;
The Use Windows classic desktop item on the General tab of the Folder Options dialog box.
The Allow only bitmapped wallpaper policy (User Configuration\AdministrativeTemplates\Desktop\Active Desktop),
or the corresponding NoHTMLWallPaper value name, a REG_DWORD data type, set to 1,
at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop,
will permit only bitmap wallpaper, .bmp files. This prevents the prompt that users receive when they select
a wallpaper with an alternate image format.
The Hide Background tab policy (User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\Display), or
the NoDispBackgroundPage value name, a REG_DWORD data type, set to 1, at
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System,
removes the Background tab from Display applet in Control Panel.
NOTE: See tip 2726 » How do I change the
background bitmap on the logon screen?