changing the wallpaper in windows 7 starter

By pyehac
in Tips, Tweaks & Customization

 Share

Recommended Posts

Grand Master

pyehac

Posted
Posted

Yes, I bought a netbook with Windows 7 starter preinstalled - I had a budget if I wanted a *counts* 4th computer and didn't have enough money to spring for a netbook with '7 Home Premium.

Is there any possible way to change the wallpaper in Windows 7 starter? (all my google-fu has brought up is results saying how starter edition sucks, etc)

(plus, its fun to hack than to buy - and if anything else fails, I'll upgrade to Home Premium.)

Proficient

Madoshi

Posted
Posted

%windir%\web\wallpaper\windows\img0.jpg

that should be the location of the default (and only) wallpaper. from what i read in a Google search, this filename is hardcoded and you cannot change it's path. not sure how accurate that is though.

there is a registry entry:

(1) HKCU\ControlPanel\Desktop\Wallpaper

this one was set to C:\Users\Wolf\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\TranscodedWallpaper.jpg and i changed it to C:\Users\Wolf\Pictures\test.jpg which after a logoff/logon resulted in a black desktop (no pic). i found that changing the wallpaper via "Personalize Desktop" reset it back to what it was. so you might try searching for / fooling around with that filename.

and

(2) HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General\Wallpaper Source

this one was set to C:\Windows\web\wallpaper\windows\img0.jpg; i tried changing it to C:\Users\Wolf\Pictures\test.jpg with no effective change after a logoff/logon. after changing the wallpaper to one of the ones included with Windows (see above) the value reset to C:\Users\Public\Pictures\Sample Pictures\Hydrangeas.jpg (the one i selected)

i do not know if these will take effect if changed.

my guess would be to try to overwrite that file (img0.jpg) with a Jpeg of the same dimensions. from what i read, you will have to change the permissions on the file to allow yer self to overwrite it.

i searched my Windows 7 partition (i am using Home Premium but this may help anyways) and it seems that img0.jpg is in another location - possibly a backup that gets automatically copied or something. it is in some odd-named folder that seems to be machine-specific, so just open the C: drive and search for img0.jpg.

remember, i do not have access to Starter so what i have said is almost a complete guess. good luck and hope this helps!

Grand Master

M_Lyons10

Posted
Posted
cool..

hey did they still have that 3 app limit in starter

and what netbook did you get?? please do tell

I was pretty sure that Microsoft announced that they were dropping the 3 app limit... Might be wrong...

I had really hoped they would drop the wallpaper limit. It didn't make sense to me...

Grand Master

pyehac

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I had really hoped they would drop the wallpaper limit. It didn't make sense to me...

Yeah. I guess they wanted to extort money from people who wants the basic features on netbooks.

I got the Gateway LT2030U netbook - yes, it has the same features as the others, but the Eee netbook my local best buy had was 'their version' (specifically the 1005HAB- no bluetooth :( ). Yes, I know I could have bought online since I knew 10.1" netbooks has the keyboard space I require, but I need the netbook tomorrow for note taking (I did a few test rounds, and I can still type at about 50wpm with no errors).

And so far, Aero runs fine, but I kind of missed Aero peek.

Mentor

GreenMartian

Posted
Posted
%windir%\web\wallpaper\windows\img0.jpg

All your information was correct, only missing a slight detail. Microsoft also hardcoded the hash of the original img0.jpg in shell32.dll and will blank out your desktop if the hashes don't match.

There were talks about hacking the stored hash, but I've never seen it done successfully.

Proficient

Madoshi

Posted
Posted
Yeah. What's the point of this really?

money ;)

i see this as: do one of those Windows Anytime upgrades and gain the ability to have a desktop wallpaper, else buy a new computer or a new copy of Windows 7. MS wins in any event.

EDIT: so why not grab a shell32.dll from Home Edition?

Mentor

GreenMartian

Posted
Posted
EDIT: so why not grab a shell32.dll from Home Edition?

Again, I don't know. A lot of talk of doing that (replacing the whole dll from another edition / overwriting the hardcoded hash), but I've never seen a successful attempt on the net. I just assumed it wasn't possible...

What hash algorithm does shell32 use?

SHA-256.

Collaborator

StarLion

Posted
Posted

Little bit of information from Within Windows

Microsoft was cute enough to embed code within shell32.dll that check if the seal has been tampered. More technically speaking, Windows generates a SHA-256 hash based on the image's contents and compares it to a hard-coded hash

Full post: http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/03/31/co...than-i-thought/

Community Regular

sweetleaf

Posted
Posted

Step by Step:

1. Open regedit (aka registry editor; you can access it from the star menu by typing ?regedit? in the search box?)

2. Go to ?HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\? folder and click on it

3. On the right hand side find there are a bunch of entries. Find the key named ?Wallpaper? and double click on it and put the path of the picture you want as your new wallpaper (example path is ?C:\Users\Bob\Pictures\new_wallpaper.jpg?)

4. Right-click on the ?Desktop? folder in regedit that you found in step 2 and click Permissions.

5. Click ?Advanced?

6. Go to ?Owner? tab, highlight your name in the box that says ?Change owner to? ( There are only two choices the other is Administrator )? once your user name is highlighted click ?OK?

7. Click on ?Advanced? again

8. Uncheck the button that reads ?Include inheritable permissions from the object?s parent?? click ?Remove? when prompted

9. Click ?Add?

10. Type ?Everyone? and click ?OK?

11. Check Allow ?Read Control? and click ?OK?

12. Click ?OK? again

13. Highlight ?Everyone? and check to Allow ?Read? and click ?OK?

14. Restart Computer and enjoy new Wallpaper

  • 1 month later...
Neowinian

elladan

Posted
Posted
Step by Step:

1. Open regedit (aka registry editor; you can access it from the star menu by typing ?regedit? in the search box?)

2. Go to ?HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\? folder and click on it

3. On the right hand side find there are a bunch of entries. Find the key named ?Wallpaper? and double click on it and put the path of the picture you want as your new wallpaper (example path is ?C:\Users\Bob\Pictures\new_wallpaper.jpg?)

4. Right-click on the ?Desktop? folder in regedit that you found in step 2 and click Permissions.

5. Click ?Advanced?

6. Go to ?Owner? tab, highlight your name in the box that says ?Change owner to? ( There are only two choices the other is Administrator )? once your user name is highlighted click ?OK?

7. Click on ?Advanced? again

8. Uncheck the button that reads ?Include inheritable permissions from the object?s parent?? click ?Remove? when prompted

9. Click ?Add?

10. Type ?Everyone? and click ?OK?

11. Check Allow ?Read Control? and click ?OK?

12. Click ?OK? again

13. Highlight ?Everyone? and check to Allow ?Read? and click ?OK?

14. Restart Computer and enjoy new Wallpaper

Thanks a million, it worked perfectly.

BUT I can't change the new wallpaper again... why? When I try to modify the picture from step 3, it says "Error Editing Value. Cannot edit Wallpaper: Error writing the value's new contents." Please tell me how I can switch it to something else, as the picture I chose wasn't the right resolution and it looks weird.

  • 1 month later...
Neowinian

13x31

Posted
Posted

Thanks a million, it worked perfectly.

BUT I can't change the new wallpaper again... why? When I try to modify the picture from step 3, it says "Error Editing Value. Cannot edit Wallpaper: Error writing the value's new contents." Please tell me how I can switch it to something else, as the picture I chose wasn't the right resolution and it looks weird.

1: While in regedit, right click the "desktop" folder ("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\") and click permissions

2: Highlight "Everyone" and check to Allow "Full Control" then click "OK"

3: Change your wallpaper as in step 3 of the original walkthrough

4: Go back into permissions and uncheck Allow "Full Control" then click "OK"

5: Restart and enjoy your better looking paper!

Something I found while changing my wallpaper: The picture must be a .JPG otherwise you end up with the lovely black screen instead of your picture ;)

Grand Master

Quillz

Posted
Posted

Of all the things to lock down in Starter... I'm still amazed they chose the wallpaper. Honestly, I'd rather have a 3-app limit than being forced into using one wallpaper.

Of course, I'd never use Starter in the first place. I'd use Home Premium or anything above it.

Mentor

+Heartripper Subscriber¹

Posted
  • Subscriber¹
Posted

I read in a blog about this: Starter Wallpaper Changer

it's free and no-install. You select the image and click 'Apply'. To restore the original click 'Restore' :)

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Meet the browser: Firefox Next

      By Steven P. · Posted

      HOLY THREAD REVIVAL   But yes, look for browser.nova.enabled and set it to true
    • 5-year subscription to AdGuard VPN price-dropped now 90% off

      By News Staff · Posted

      5-year subscription to AdGuard VPN price-dropped now 90% off by Steven Parker Today's highlighted deal comes via our Apps + Software section of the Neowin Deals store, where you can save 88% off a 5-year subscription to AdGuard VPN. In the digital age where internet privacy is paramount, AdGuard VPN emerges as an essential tool. This virtual private network (VPN) is your encrypted gateway to the internet, helping your data stay secure and your online activities remain private, regardless of your location. More than just a privacy tool, AdGuard VPN is a robust solution packed with features that cater to a variety of internet needs. Why AdGuard VPN subscription deal over other VPNs: Exhaustive List of Locations: With 60+ locations available worldwide, you have the freedom to connect from anywhere you want, effectively bypassing geographically restricted content. Check complete list of servers here. Advanced Security Protocol: AdGuard VPN uses its own security protocol, guaranteeing a faster and safer VPN connection. This means you can browse, stream, and download with peace of mind knowing your data is secure. Zero-Logging Policy: Rest assured, your personal data is not collected and your internet traffic stays private at all times, thanks to AdGuard's strict zero-logging policy. Simultaneous Connections: Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, providing protection for all your devices under just one account. Trusted Developer: AdGuard is a renowned name in the world of computer security, bringing their expertise and commitment to privacy and security to their VPN service. What You Get: Up to 10 devices connected simultaneously All locations Light-speed servers Unlimited data No logs policy Trusted developer Available on all platforms Privacy Created by a team from Russia, AdGuard software Limited is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. While the country does follow European privacy laws, it's not part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. Adguard may not properly work in China. Good to know Length of access: 5 years This plan is only available to new users Redemption deadline: redeem your code within 30 days of purchase Device per license: 10 Access options: desktop & mobile Updates included 5- years of AdGuard VPN normally costs $359.40 without discounts, but it can be yours just $39.97, that's a saving of $324.43 (90%) off. For full terms, specifications, and license info please click the link below. Get this 5-year AdGuard VPN deal for just $34.97 (was $359.40) Although priced in U.S. dollars, this deal is available for digital purchase worldwide. Support queries If you have queries or need support for any of the Neowin Deals, please use the contact form here. Neowin Deals are managed and sold by StackCommerce who represent Neowin on an affiliate basis. Why we post these deals We post these because we earn commission on each sale so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. So for those that keep moaning and complaining, be thankful we're still online for you to even do that. Other ways to support Neowin Whitelist Neowin by not blocking our ads Create a free member account to see fewer ads Make a donation to support our day to day running costs Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: Neowin benefits from revenue of each sale made through our branded deals site powered by StackCommerce.
    • KillerPDF 1.5.1

      By Copernic · Posted

      KillerPDF 1.5.1 by Razvan Serea KillerPDF is a lightweight, portable PDF editor for Windows built for users who want full control without subscriptions, installers, or telemetry. It runs as a single executable, making it ideal for USB use and field work. You can view PDFs with smooth PDFium rendering, navigate quickly with thumbnails, zoom, and shortcuts, and reorganize pages using drag-and-drop. It supports merging multiple PDFs, splitting documents, and extracting selected pages. KillerPDF also allows inline text editing with font matching to preserve the original layout, plus annotations like text boxes, freehand drawing, highlights, and reusable signatures. You can search full text, copy content easily, and print documents with flattened annotations. Designed as a free and open alternative to bloated PDF tools, it works fully offline on Windows 10/11 x64. No runtimes install. Everything needed is inside the EXE (targets .NET Framework 4.8, which ships with every supported Windows release). KillerPDF key features: High-quality PDF rendering via PDFium Edit PDF text inline (double-click to modify text) Page thumbnails and fast navigation with zoom and shortcuts Merge multiple PDFs into one Split PDFs and extract selected pages Drag-and-drop page reordering Font matching to preserve original document appearance Text boxes for notes Freehand drawing tools Highlight overlays with adjustable color, size, opacity Undo actions and clear per-page annotations Create, draw, and save reusable signatures Click-to-place signatures anywhere Full-text search with highlighted results Drag-select or Ctrl+A to copy text Print with annotations flattened Portable single-file app (~10 MB) No installer, no admin rights required No account, no telemetry KillerPDF 1.5.1 changelog: Performance Save Flattened PDF now uses multiple CPU cores. Page rasterization is parallelized (PNG encoding runs across cores; the PDFium render step stays serialized since the library isn't thread-safe), so large documents flatten significantly faster while the UI stays responsive (#68). Fixed PDFs that failed to open with "Unexpected EOF" now open (#72). The failure was PdfSharpCore's Flate inflater (SharpZipLib) rejecting the FlateDecode cross-reference stream on multi-revision PDFs - files that open fine in browsers, Acrobat, and Foxit. KillerPDF now detects this and re-opens the file losslessly through PDFium, preserving selectable text. Thanks to @javajon for the report and a detailed reproduction. Grid view renders every page. It was capped at the first 26 pages, so longer documents stopped loading partway through. Tiles also stream in progressively now instead of blocking until the whole document is rendered. Grid Ctrl+Scroll no longer reloads every page when the zoom is already at its limit and nothing would change. Removed a stray horizontal scrollbar (a thin green line) that could appear across the bottom of grid view. Files on UNC / network shares (including the WSL \\wsl$ filesystem) are copied locally before opening, avoiding partial-read failures on network filesystems. Changed Minimum zoom lowered from 10% to 5%, so grid view can pack more columns (helpful for wide/landscape pages) and single-page view can zoom out further. Download: KillerPDF 1.5.1 | 6.3 MB (Open Source) Link: KillerPDF Home Page | Github | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Mozilla highlights Firefox Nova 2026 redesign and more upcoming features with new roadmap

      By +Frank B. · Posted

      You can enable the Nova redesign in Firefox 152 stable, under about:config.
    • The official Funny Pictures thread

      By Steffan · Posted

  • Recent Achievements

    • One Year In
      Console General earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Year In
      Twozo Technologies earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Twozo Technologies earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Twozo Technologies earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Veteran
      branfont went up a rank
      Veteran

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      520
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      196
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      111
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      89
    5. 5
      Nick H.
      71
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!