Locked PC Wallpaper Display Problems posted

OK, there isn't a whole lot of good documentation about this online, so here it is.

If you change your desktop wallpaper with Windows systems (i.e. 2000 and XP) you will probably run into this problem at some point. Sometimes during startup or when you lock your computer via CTRL+ALT+DEL a previous wallpaper will be displayed even if you delete the file from your computer.

This is an Active Desktop issue. The explorer shell displays layers on top of the actual desktop (e.g. start menu, icons, and the active desktop background!). When you lock your computer, the layers are cleared, revealing images set on the actual desktop - your annoying old wallpaper!

For me, this always seems to happen when changing from a JPG to a GIF wallpaper. The JPG remains on the actual desktop, but the GIF becomes my active desktop background layer. If this is your issue, try converting your GIF wallpaper to a JPG and reset it.

Another way to clear your desktop history is to set your desktop wallpaper to "None" and apply your settings. Now select the new wallpaper you really want to display and try locking your computer. It should show a solid desktop background color instead of your old wallpaper.

This method almost always works, but will usually just display a solid background color upon locking your computer, especially if you're using a GIF. If you want your new wallpaper to show up when locked, change your wallpaper to JPG and reset. If that still doesn't work, you can usually conquer Windows' ghetto programming by resetting your wallpaper a billion times.

Hopefully that saves someone the frustration that I have gone through.
Tags: Tech

comments

  • By far your most interesting article thus far.

    Lindsey posted

  • I have been looking for a solution to this problem. Thanks!

    Nancy posted

  • My nine year old accidentally clicked on something that saved a not-child friendly picture as my background. I was able to change it on my active desktop, but the yucky picture came back when I locked the computer. Your info helped me to fix this. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    Worried Mom posted

  • If I study this, I might solve my problem of my background image being stuck in Stretch, like an .htm document.

    Raleigh Whalers posted

  • I have lost ability to change from a solid color backgound wallpaper. I also change themes to windows classic and when I return it has defaulted to modified theme.

    NRB posted

  • my problem is in display for desktop cant select any wallpaper at all. cant select any picture or scroll down to see any in list. its all locked up. how can i fix it?

    charlotte posted

  • I have the same problem as charlotte, my IT guy fixed it some how and now it's locked up again after some months. All I did was restart my computer. How do I unlock this and prevent it?

    Dahlyla posted

  • All you do is read the instructions above.

    derek posted

  • my Properties/Desktop/Background seems to be locked. i am pretty sure that's what you're talking about here.. but i tried your instructions of resetting it and it's not working. i'm wondering, how is it that you "lock" your background?

    Serena posted

  • Make your background image a BMP. This solves the issue immediately.

    Chad posted

  • my computer wallpaper is locked

    and i dont know how to fix it



    can u help me.

    cindy butts posted

  • Dear sir or madame to whom it may concern,

    Please note i have a serious problem with the wallpaper setting.

    For some reason I cannot change my wallpaper anymore.

    All that it shows me in the setting are all the screensavers but no more wallpapers.

    Now this is a confusing situation,

    please, please i would really apreciate if somebody can help me out on this matter.

    Thank you very much in advacne,

    ¨with best regards Roshen

    Roshen posted

  • Thank You so much.... There is not alot of help out there for this problem, I have read about the one on spyware, u know the popular red or black background that says that ur computer is infected. that was not my problem, but i was starting to think i did have somekind of spyware or malware..... thankyou tough for explaining something relatively simple.....

    lizzett_alv posted

  • thanks alot u help me to fix the problem i face :)

    hanan posted

  • Thanks a lot . It is really a helpful information for me . Thanks a lot once more.

    Anshul Agarwal posted

  • Thanks a lot, still working :-)

    Juan Eduardo posted

  • my computer desktop screen image locked when properties of display locked please answer change the desktop image

    gajender posted