Cannot Change the Desktop Wallpaper - Fix
Q: My desktop has a black background. Whenever i go to Desktop Properties, it won’t let me change any of my backgrounds. I’m able to select the images, but the background never changed. I rather just have it back to the Vista background.
To restore the ability to change the desktop Wallpaper in your system, download the file wallpaper_enable.reg for Windows 2000/XP/Vista systems, and save the file to your Desktop. Right-click wallpaper_enable.reg and choose Merge to apply the settings.
The REG file removes the Wallpaper Policy setting from the following registry locations
Windows Vista specific setting
Click Start, Control Panel, Ease of Access, Ease of Access Center.
Under Make things on the screen easier to see, deselect the option:
Select Save.
You should be able to change the desktop background now.
Copyright © 2008 Ramesh Srinivasan. All rights reserved.
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December 17th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I still could’nt change my desktop wallpaper even after downloading wallpaper_enable.reg…..Pls Help
September 19th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I’ve tried the REG merge… I’ve tried the Ease of Access changes… am able to select the background but will not change it. Can choose a different color all day long will not change to a wallpaper selection.
Are there any other “switches” that I should be looking for?
June 5th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
You are the only one who answered my problem - quicjkly and simply!!! Thank you!!!
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:27 pm
THANK YOU! What a simple fix…excellent!
May 20th, 2008 at 10:04 am
thanks for this it worked!!! had a black desktop for 8 months =(
May 5th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Bravo! I love you Man! It works. Finally. I am very happy woman again. Instead of black screen ( I had it for last few months) finally some nice picture. And it is very needed in this boring and gray Belgium. Believe me. I will drink a glass of my favorite Martini this evening for your health and wealth :) Ciao
April 21st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
This can also be caused by failing to activate Windows Vista. In SP1, the unchangeable black background is the only real penalty of not activating.
April 18th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Thank you so much for your help! I tried everything and couldn’t figure it out for the life of me. I appreciate the help!!!!! :)
April 1st, 2008 at 10:34 pm
OH MY GOD!! Thanks so much. It really helped. =]
March 29th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Thank you a million times over. I have had my computer for months and nothing seemed to worked…but this did, now I can enjoy my photos as the desktop background instead of the dreaded black screen