Surprise: You can’t change your wallpaper in Starter Edition
On Friday, another Windows 7 TAP-delivered build leaked, this time only about a week old numbered 7068. While Paul Thurrott was loading all the SKUs on his various machines peppered around his house, he tipped me off to the fact that in Windows 7 Starter Edition – the SKU slated for the netbook market – has been gutted of its desktop personalization controls.
Now, look. I’m all for gutting premium features to lighten Windows footprint and price but this is ridiculous. Why the regression? At this point, you may get more functionality out of an OLPC laptop.
As for the technical side, a new licensing bit was introduced – ChangeDesktopBackground-Enabled. On Starter Edition SKUs, this bit is set to 0, disabling background setting capabilities in Windows Photo Viewer and the Display/Theme Control Panel applets. The infection goes deeper into system files shell32.dll and themeui.dll too, hard-coding the wallpaper to %windir%\web\wallpaper\windows\img0.jpg.
Workarounds:
- As an Administrator, reset the permissions on img0.jpg, and overwrite file with picture of Mom.
- Use third-party software (note: changes will likely not persist, untested)
Here’s a screenshot I shamelessly lifted from Paul’s Windows 7068 Starter Edition Screenshot Gallery:
While I am still downloading this copy with my extremely slow connection (30Kbyte down if i am lucky) I was wondering if it checks on what the background image is, or if you could simply have a small program written that integrates itself into explorer, and allows you to change that Img0.jpg file using any file you want (like the logon screen background changer apps I have seen floating around)
I have not played with 7068 yet, can you still right click on an image in Explorer or IE and choose ‘Set As Background’?
@pizzaboy192: Sure, but keep in mind. 3 application limit ^_^
@Mitchel Tyrell: Nope.
whoa…thats a really bad move on micro’s part…if indeed Microsoft forces starter edition on netbook manufactures then it will truly be a blow to the good run that netbooks are having…kinda like intel forcing their crappy gma chips to go along with the little Atom that could!
Lol, try hovering over the gray image. It says:
“NOTE: Betta fish will not survive prolonged exposure to gray water.”
If Microsoft INSISTS that I change my OS (even though XP-SP2 does everything I want it to and has minimal compatibility with the software I use) then I will change – to Linux or OS-10.
Arrogant B@$t@rd$ !!!
ooops that was minimal compatibility issues
[...] Es importante recordar que la edición Starter no se comercializará a los usuarios finales, sino solo a los fabricantes, por lo que serán estos quienes tengan la última palabra y decidan cual será el porcentaje de ordenadores en que vendrá preinstalada esta versión siniestra de Windows 7. Vía | Paul Thurrott`s SuperSite for Windows, Within Windows [...]
So Im guessing Firefox’s “Set background Image” would not work ether? Thats pretty evil…
[...] Windows 7 Starter no permite cambiar el fondo de pantalla [en]www.withinwindows.com/2009/03/28/surprise-you-cant-change-yo… por repapaz hace pocos segundos [...]
At least they should’ve kept the blue wallpaper instead of that ugly black one.
[...] [ Within windows ] addthis_url = [...]
[...] were installed. There was no possibility to change the wallpaper using the usual means to do so. Rafael has posted a workaround for that Windows 7 Started Edition limitation which involves overwriting [...]
This is kinda interesting. The main reason I’d imagine them doing something like this is if they’re posing themselves to offer this version of Windows as a sort of a demo… Maybe even for free. In which case, that would be a pretty good move on MS’s side.
With Vista MS was thinking of disabling wallpaper altogether if your trial period ran out and you didn’t activate. You’d be stuck with a solid black background. Ironically more than a few people commented that that was the first setting they set when they installed Windows anyway.
I bet there will be third party tools for Starter to change the wallpaper using the img0.jpg trick. Then MS will embed it as a binary resource and allow Windows to load them from res:// urls. Then third party tools will switch to using resource embedding directly or using reshacker.
Fun fun fun.
Three app limit and basic functionality removed?
It should be called Windows Non-Starter Edition.
For all but the most simple user, this turns Windows into trialware where you have to pay for the trial.
We’re used to the bait-and-switch many hardware vendors do where they tell you you’re getting some extra program or anti-virus for free but it turns out you just get an X day trail of it which you could’ve downloaded yourself. This takes it one step further and does that with the actual operating system, and makes people pay for the privilege. Nice.
For people who don’t care about the limits it’ll save them money, I guess. For everyone else I imagine it will be a bit of a surprise and also quite a rip-off, if the Windows Anytime Upgrade fees are going to be as astronomical as they are now. (At least with the Vista Home -> Vista Ultimate upgrade, if you use Anytime Upgrade you end up paying considerably more than the difference between OEM Home and OEM Ultimate, despite the fact that you’re starting off with an OEM copy of Home from your PC vendor. That really sucks when you consider that some vendors — especially bricks & mortar stores — don’t even offer Ultimate.)
[...] Within Windows Posted by Marlon Medeiros Filed in Notícias, Windows 7 Tags: Notícias, Windows, Windows [...]
Wow, that’s completely absurd.
Who, exactly, does Microsoft expect to buy starter edition? People in developing countries? It seems to me that given the choice between a full pirated version and this crippled bit of trialware nonsense, people will invariably choose the pirated version.
I guess some companies just never learn.
This is good news! Because OEMs will most likely not use this SKU on netbooks but Home Basic instead.
Now that is just silly… I can understand the use of a starter edition, but forcing a fixed background doesn’t make much sense!
tino’s got a point there
[...] for the most limited feature-limited version of Windows 7.Fear not, future Starter Edition users. Rafael Rivera has already figured out how to circumvent the lock.Microsoft drops personalization from Windows 7 Starter, locks wallpaper originally appeared on [...]
Albert, your post seems a bit like useless advertising, no?
Anyway, I can understand the mentality behind this (brand locking in exchange for a cheaper OS) but this will do a good job of pissing users off instead. Hell, it might even drive a switch to Linux on the netbook.
[...] for the most limited feature-limited version of Windows 7. Fear not, future Starter Edition users. Rafael Rivera has already figured out how to circumvent the lock.Microsoft drops personalization from Windows 7 Starter, locks wallpaper originally appeared on [...]
[...] | Surprise: You can’t change your wallpaper in Starter Edition (Within [...]
it should be for 10 $ in stores
[...] discovered they couldn’t change the desktop using a beta build of Windows 7 Starter Edition. Someone else though that was rediculous. And then the Twitter shitstorm [...]
I think they upped it from 3 apps open to 6 (as this screenshot i took shows)
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8114/windows7basic.jpg
Opening any 6, weather they be made by MS or not, results in an annoying “maximum number of programs open” window
They haven’t updated their Help and Support section though… probably the last thing on their minds at the moment
Hey…
If that goes into the RTM, 7 Starter will not survive.
I got a good idea:
make a poster that says:
If you don’t change the water, we’ll kill the fish
I think that’ll make Micorosoft go bananas
[...] Era a notícia que faltava, qual é a da Microsoft? Enfim, segundo Rafael Rivera do Within Windows, o Windows 7 Starter (build 7068) não permite a alteração do plano de fundo. Este build do [...]
That is crap. I love the idea that services and non essential functions may be stripped to support netbooks but this is just cutting out features so that the customer will want to upgrade. Give us a netbook version.
[...] Mas información (Ingles) Sistemas Operativos [...]
This makes Windows 95 more advanced than Windows 7. I hate the way Microsoft is removing and disabling features in NT 6.x.
Well, if they do offer it for free, like I have been advocating, as a download at microsoft.com, then I can understand this. And If they raise the program limit to 6, that would actually be OK for many basic users! Even 3 might cut it as most only use IE ;-)
I don’t understand why most netbook are 32-bit only. Intel decided to limit mobile version of atom but the future belong to 64-bit computing. After all, Windows 7 is the last version to have a 32-bit version. The only 64-bit netbook that I know off is the Samsung NC20 which has a 64-bit VIA Nano and is a lot faster that Intel Atom. Microsoft should ship Home Basic to netbook since it support 64 bit, has Windows Mobility Center, and can run applications without limit. Do Microsoft seriously think that the third world countries filled with pirates would buy Windows 7 Home Basic?
I don’t really understand why everyone’s so upset about this.
It’s a stripped-down version of Windows. Some users have turned red in the face demanding this over the years.
Look at it from a marketing standpoint: this is a functional OS. It has had features removed, so what? Is desktop personalization mission-critical? Sure, I like to have it, and that makes it a great “value-add” feature, and it might convince me to move up to another version. And, if I’ve already BOUGHT a higher-level version, knowing I got a feature that some versions don’t have helps give me a sense I got something for my money.
Are the critics here saying it shouldn’t be offered at all?
[...] Windows 7 Starter não permite alteração de wallpaper - BABOO http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/03/28/surprise-you-cant-change-your-wallpaper-in-windows-7-starter... [...]
[...] Even other methods of changing it such as from Windows Photo Gallery do not work. Rafael from Within Windows explains the situation like this: As for the technical side, a new licensing bit was introduced [...]
Wondering what has Microsoft thought about this :O_o:
Hey Raffa … still waiting that you come out of Ashburn and come to FallsChurch :)
tom: If MS tries putting this on netbooks we’ll probably see Vista capable lawsuits all over again. Linux will also likely gain market share, since it costs less and you can actually change the wallpaper. :P
But I don’t think it’s going on netbooks. Starter editions have always been for developing nations. After all free software (Linux) is mighty attractive to governments on a tight budget. Crippling long-time features allows for MS to sell Windows to developing nations without worrying about developed nations buying resold copies. Users in those developing nations aren’t used to features we take for granted (like custom wallpaper) and would tend to be more accepting than users in developed nations who would thus not want the cheap Starter edition.
That’s my personal theory anyway. Though the bit about Starter editions being marketed to developing nations only is fact.
Rafael – Have you actually VERIFIED that your workaround really works? Or are you just guessing? I tried changing my img0.jpg image and it just shows a black background…
[...] de três programas abertos simultaneamente, todas as opções visuais não estão disponíveis (incluíndo a troca de wallpaper. Apesar disso poder ser feito através de gambiarras, é [...]
[...] [ Within windows [...]
Xp had a starter edition, and it was never sold in the US, only in developing nations… I can see this being the same
[...] descobriu essa “feature” foram Rafael Rivera e Paul Thurrott, enquanto testavam a build 7068, que, através de um hack simples na imagem do [...]
Oh great… now Microsoft will push loads of BS on their next generation one-of-a-kind OS and everyone will be forced to move to Mac OSX or Ubuntu.
:-(
EDIT: all of those poor developing nations with this crap forced on them…
\\ Although this C++ code will not compile, it still describes the situation well:
#define goodFeatures 235
#defime BS = 0
#include
#include
using namespace std;
int MS = 1;
int main()
{
if(OS = OS -goodFeatures) MS = BS; \\ Microsoft is bullshiit.
if(MS == BS) \\ Where we spam the forms (like what I’m doing right now)
{
openPipeToForm(“http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/03/28/surprise-you-cant-change-your-wallpaper-in-windows-7-starter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-3070″);
cout<<”MS IS BS!!!!”;
closePipeToForm(“http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/03/28/surprise-you-cant-change-your-wallpaper-in-windows-7-starter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-3070″);
}
@tino: They also killed Home Basic. I’m glad I migrated to Linux. 98 was my fav version though.
Article on arid.net (http://digg.com/d1pTAK) that talked about windows 7 starter edition and had suggestions on a better way to implement the starter edition for netbooks.
[...] Even other methods of changing it such as from Windows Photo Gallery do not work. Rafael from Within Windows explains the situation like this: As for the technical side, a new licensing bit was introduced [...]
As a longtime user of Webshots I just set that up first thing after installing 7; works without a hitch, changes desktop pix every 15 minutes, and I get to look at my beautiful beaches around the world. I was so impressed I upgraded to the pro version, got wide shots. Way cool, and no, I have no affiliation with Webshots. Something that works in this world deserves to get a plug.
KCC
Ok everyone… just as a matter of record… With Windows Seven… The fundamental rolls have switched from Starter=Developing Contrys/Home Basic=well Home Basic to Starter=NetBook OS Offered only by OEMs/Home Basic=Developing Contrys…
So the SKUs Rolls have been reversed for Windows Seven…
Well if u hate the Aero Basic theme and the stupid wallpaper atleast there is one other choice for starter…. Windows Classic with Blue Color and no Wallpaper…
Check it out…
http://personal.mattatobin.com/screenshots/WindowsSeven/win7starterinclassicthemenobg.png
I have just completed a blog post on my own website with instructions on how to get the same results as the above screenshot…
Check it out:
http://blog.mattatobin.com/2009/06/09/windows-seven-starter-kill-wallpaper-and-have-classic-theme.binoc
to hell with them next theyll want you to register and validate every time you turn it on, i cant see wh anyone would want this, when there are perfect and better free linux alternatives such as ubuntu,debian ,fedora, ect . in which you can customize everything!! , and no need for bloated av software either :p, anyway happy virus detecting on windows
[...] and replaces the default fish background which we saw in previous builds. Unknown yet, this could also be the default unchangable background in Windows 7 Starter edition, designed for emerging [...]
[...] in March, I wrote about a sick-joke of a limitation in Windows 7 Starter edition preventing users from changing the wallpaper. The limitation was [...]
Replace the following files with the same files from Windows7 Ultimate (tested and works):
system32\themecpl.dll
system32\themeservice.dll
system32\themeui.dll
Before you can replace these files, make sure that you’re the technical owner and set all permissions to “Full Control”.
Works like a charm here :-)
@Erwin: Tried your instructions by replacing the 3 .dll files but it does not work. And of course set all permissions to “Full Control” but did not work. Anyone who has a solution?
This is a hard one to solve people.
@Alex: I’m not sure what made Erwin think that would work, but the files are the same across all SKUs. The issue here is that licensing policies are in place restricting the changing of the wallpaper. These policies are enforced via product key.
[...] embargo, nos presentaron una nueva joyita de esta edición de su nuevo SO: Usted, usuario principiante, deberá conformarse con el fondo de [...]
@Rafael: Thanx for your comment. But wouldnt it be nice to work around the policies and try to change the background anyway?
Just for the fun of it or because you rather like a picture of mom to decorate your background instead of the default wallpaper.
I tried to look at the local policies inside windows 7 starter but couldnt find anything that might relate to the restrictions. Then tried Bginfo from sysinternals (and another tool) to work my way around the policy but nope…nothing worked so far. When i found a “workaround” i will post it here ok.
[...] Source: http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/03/28/surprise-you-cant-change-your-wallpaper-in-windows-7-starter... [...]
just got a new netbook with win 7 starter. better off running dos if i cant even change my wall paper wat the hell
[...] small blurb at Within Windows describes how HP has (legally) done it – Back in March, I wrote about how Microsoft was restricting wallpaper usage on their Starter SKU of Windows 7 – a version of Windows to be preloaded by OEMs onto netbooks. Nicholas R., mistakenly initially [...]
For those of you with Windows 7 Starter, you can use Stardock MyColors to bypass the restriction and change the wallpaper.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Regedit go to key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\Wallpaper put the path of the image first, then righ click permissions->Put yourself as owner, then unchek the inherit button delete all users, then add the user ‘everyone’ and give read only permissions SOLVED :D
Guys, here is my solution to the wallpaper issue. Check out my screencast on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWtn0wlk9aQ
Just got a Netbook and the first thing i wanted to do is change the background. But no such luck. This blows have a computer that you can’t personalize. I hope someone will find an easy way around this.
SRG84, I followed all your steps precisely. Didn’t work. :(
SRG84, PARDON ME!!!!!!! IT DID WORK. I JUST HAD TO RESTART, AND MY WALLPAPER IS NOW THE PHOTO I USED AS THE PATH. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Note: I am just an everyday user, not a techie, and srg84’s instructions worked!
Can somebody write down srg84’s instructions step by step, because I don’t quite understand all of them?
Guyz I’ve one more problem that I’m not able to change the personalization of windows 7!!
It says “This page is not available in this edition of windows”??
Please help!!
ei. guys. Badtrip. I got my new laptop yesterday with the windows 7 starter edition. I was very disapointed to know that i cant change my desktop background. I thought all the while that Windows 7 is the most advance and latest OS. How can this be? Can i have a refund or something? HElP ME!
Ian, you either need to pay to upgrade from the starter edition, or follow some of the instructions on this page to bypass window’s rotten trick.
srg84, if you’re still around: As I said, thankfully your steps worked for me, and I now have a great wallpaper of my own choosing, a family photo, on my desktop. However, when I tried to change the picture, for a change of pace, by typing in a different picture path, it said “Error writing the value’s new content.”
Any ideas? Thanks!
P,S. I tried the website listed above, suggested by LoneTracuer, but after I got it downloaded, it wouldn’t let me open it because it has a .dll extension and wanted to know what program to open it with, and I have no clue.
P.S. My email is julieburgess5@hotmail. com
ooohh! the first time I’ve use dis stater edition at my new netbook, i tried many times to search where the desktop wallpaper is. i was shock that this edition wasn’t have any wallpaper???? but this is one of the latest edition.. OMG! But why?? Windows 7 stater edition heads.. make a move please! kindly inform me at my e mail address for any update and good news about this windows 7 starter edition.. thank you!
If you want to change the wallpaper again (after following srg84’s steps) just do the following:
1. Open regedit
2. Go to “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\” folder and RIGHT-CLICK on it, and go to “Permissions”
3. Check the box to Allow “Full Control” and click OK
4. Now you can go to “Wallpaper” on the right hand side and change the path to the wallpaper you really wanted
5. Right-Click “Desktop” folder again and go to “Permissions”
6. UN-CHECK the box that says Allow “Full Control” and click OK
7. Go to Start Menu, Log Off —-> Log On again… and you should have a new wallpaper again
For those of you that haven’t been able to follow srg84’s steps, I wrote his workaround in more detail here:
http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/03/31/correction-starter-wallpaper-more-secure-than-i-thought/comment-page-2/#comment-5295
Shame on windows, I bought a new netbook with windows 7 starter and Im SHOCKED you cant cant the walpaper. Its a disgrace!!!
GABE, Thank you so much! srg84’s instructions had worked for me, but I wasn’t able to change the wallpaper a second time… but your steps worked perfectly. THANK YOU, AND SRG, VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE.
ugh i just bought a netbook and it has windows 7 starter on it. and from what i just read i cant change the background?! wow that sucks!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOSH I just bought a netbook too… AND I CANT FRIKKING CHANGE THE WALL PAPER!! Guttedd :(
Just bought one too – after about 30 minutes with windows7 I want to poke my eyes out!
Now..where is that ubuntu netbook remix usb stick….byebye window7 and no choice OS.
Gabe and Srg84,
Thank you for sharing the regedit steps. I truly appreciate the knowledge sharing. I’m sure you’ve made many people satisfied with their netbook purchases after initial disappointment.
I second Kent, thank you Gabe and Srg84. Your methods worked for me, especially the link that Gabe posted
Got my new netbook on Black Friday (a Gateway). I didn’t think that using Windows 7 Starter would be an issue, until I attempted to change my desktop wallpaper. It’s completely inane that this is a missing feature. It’s even crazier that it’s missing, thanks to MS, by DESIGN. I installed MyColors (thanks so much, Stardock, it’s fantastic) and that works like a charm as far as having custom wallpaper (which I desire to change almost daily), although I don’t like the skins that are offered for the rest of the GUI. But, oh well. I’m actually one of the few who is considering upgrading my Windows 7 version, even now that I can customize my desktop wallpaper. I hate to say it, but my last two computers both ran XP, and I’m curious. :-/
Just got my new netbook too. I am so pissed! It’s positively ridiculous that you can’t change something simple like the wallpaper. It took me awhile to figure this out because I had trouble accepting it. It never occurred to me that the option to change would be taken away from me. I feel so cheated. Why isn’t this more widely known??? And also, I hate to sound ungrateful but I don’t want a workaround. I want the ability to change free and clear. I paid more to have Windows 7 instead of XP. What a joke.
What absolute nerve of the b@st@rds!! This d@mn netbook (Gateway) is going back to the vendor (BestBuy). It’ll be replaced with one running Win XP (Toshiba) from a different store (MicoCenter). I’m truly pissed and despise the MS kamikaze marketing idiots. These brilliant morons have slit their own figurative throats.
I can’t wait for the Apple commercial that takes advantage of this one. I could use the laugh; right now I’m seething
By the way, I didn’t see that anybody pointed out that 2 GB RAM is required for the upgrade. Stuck with 1 GB or less. Too bad, fellow sucker.
I ran some Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and the good news is my system is cleared to buy an upgrade to the home edition. The only option for this Dell Mini was 1 gb of ram but I found a site that has pretty clear instructions on how to change it to 2 gb, however the upgrade advisor made no mention of the 2 gb requirement. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m so angry about this. This netbook was delivered a mere 4 hours ago and already I have to pay for something that should already be included! I really, really, really want to send this back. I fear that my stupid choice to get some customized colored lid will prevent me from returning it. I guess I’m at the mercy of Dell customer service. We’ll see…
Oops. I was too furious to read properly, Here’s the actual spec:
“1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)” at
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/system-requirements
Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter. Win 7 is outa here. Too bad the shackles that bind me to the rest of MS are too solid :-(
I heard about “Hackintosh”. Has anybody else? Seems like it’s away for these Netbooks to emulate Apple’s OS – or so I infer.
srg84 and Gabe: i followed your instructions to the letter; however, after restarting and logging on all i got was a black screen although i can still see the arrow key. my netbook is a samsung N130. does anybody hav any ideas how to fix this?
omg! cant change the wallpaper?! might as well get xp…
I just tried both of the fixes at the top, and neither worked. Didn’t work to overwrite the file, even after I took ownership of it, and didn’t work to try a third party program. Probably gonna write Microsoft some hate mail…
This is the simple way to change the wallpaper on windows 7 starter . Works perfectly
http://superuser.com/questions/69601/how-to-change-the-wallpaper-in-windows-7-starter-edition
and in case that doesn’t work, someone shared this easy download
http://rapidshare.com/files/320492667/Starter_Wallpaper_Changer.zip.html
[...] descobriu essa “feature” foram Rafael Rivera e Paul Thurrott, enquanto testavam a build 7068, que, através de um hack simples na imagem do [...]
could get it to work my bckgrnd is all black now
Oceanis Background Changer. Works perfectly with Win 7 Starter and it is FREE. No registry or other hacks that probably don’t work. Just install the program, open it from the desktop icon, browse to your wallpaper folders, select your wallpaper and off you go. You can also select multiple wallpapers and have them change automatically at time intervals. I just bought a Gateway mini from Best Buy and was I ticked to find out that MS had locked the desktop. I tried everything, changing the registry, renaming the wallpaper I wanted to the same name as the default wallpaper. Nothing worked right until I found this software. Believe me this is the way to go. Here is the link.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47294-desktop-background-change-windows-7-starter.html
Oceanis background changer worked perfectly! Very easy! Acer Aspire One with Windows 7 starter.
Use Linux. Have no limits.
Well, the truth is Microsoft is a lost cause. There continuous need to F!!K up the OS should be reason enough to switch to anything else. Like a foul I decided to give them one more shot, but I was a little smart in buying a notebook, since the cost was extremely cheap (walmart $218). I’ve been a XP Pro for years, but since there dropping that, and determined to mess up a good thing, I think my new laptop, will be an apple… I’ve been playing with the Tiger and as long as I have to conform to something, I’d prefer it to be someone else’s idea this time around…. Look out apple here I come… =) Goodbye Microsoft!
developing countries doesnt buy official software we copy them fro you assholes who actually buy software
hi i boght a notebook and it won’t let me change the backround !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can change your background [ Window 7 Stater] by using the ‘ Stardock My Color ‘
Watch this tutorial that I make : -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drNlP5wua8Q
Haku beat me to it. I to was stuck with this, but Startdock My Colour works, and for the week i have been using it, works well
Download stardock
Change theme
Put your background image into the windows sample pics
Go into stardock – backgrounds
Your background image should be there as you scroll down, simple.
any questions gimme a shout at ssn998@googlemail.com
why, why, why? why would they not let you have a background on your netbook?
i mean, a background makes it YOUR netbook, or YOUR laptop!
grrrrrrr
it’s annoying how you can’t change your background yet you can change your screen saver… and the help topic was not very helpful, i dunno why it’s even there
anyway, i downloaded the oceanis background changer and i have no more problem :)
No need to spend money for a good software to change the background on Win7 Starter. Here is a repeat of an earlier post that fixes the problem quickly and easily.
Oceanis Background Changer. Works perfectly with Win 7 Starter and it is FREE. No registry or other hacks that probably don’t work. Just install the program, open it from the desktop icon, browse to your wallpaper folders, select your wallpaper and off you go. You can also select multiple wallpapers and have them change automatically at time intervals. I just bought a Gateway mini from Best Buy and was I ticked to find out that MS had locked the desktop. I tried everything, changing the registry, renaming the wallpaper I wanted to the same name as the default wallpaper. Nothing worked right until I found this software. Believe me this is the way to go. Here is the link.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47294-desktop-background-change-windows-7-starter.html
I was trying to figure out how to change the background for weeks. I then read the FAQ for microsoft windows 7 starter and it said ‘there is one set theme for your desktop background that cannot be modified or changed’. They should make it clear on the staarter pack that it is much worse than vista. Now i have got rid of vista off my laptop and upgraded to windows 7 and i feel like i have downgraded because well, I have. I would also like to add that I must have been scammed because a friend of mine had the exact same vista as me and we bought it together on the same date and when she upgraded, she got windows 7 home premium and i only got starter! fot this I officially HATE micft and the next time i but a computer i am either going with linux or splashong out on an apple computer :)
Wait a minute – the box this new HP netbook came in says “HP – The computer is personal again.”
Personal my foot….they just shipped a product that won’t even let me change the background.
Wow. I bought my new netbook today and I was so excited about it and Windows 7. I wish the sale people had bothered to tell me about this issue – they managed to cover everything else. I was so disappointed when I found out about this and I thought I was going mad when I couldn’t figure out how to change my wallpaper. And I’m in the same boat as you Michael L, I got a HP too with the box saying “HP – The computer is personal again.”
Hah.
Thanks so much for the Stardock Mycolours app though, it works perfectly :)
why can i not change it that is so messed up. i got this amazing new picture of justin bieber and i cant change it. im going to go mad if i cant ever change it, it makes me soooooooooooooooo mad…
I took the route of finding the file and giving myself ownership permissions etc. I saved a picture i wanted into that folder, resized it to match the other picture and renamed it. I restarted and now I just have a black background. Any suggestions?
Matt,
Save yourself the trouble of trying to hack the background picture. It is hit and miss at best.
No need to spend money for a good software to change the background on Win7 Starter. Here is a repeat of an earlier post that fixes the problem quickly and easily.
Oceanis Background Changer. Works perfectly with Win 7 Starter and it is FREE. No registry or other hacks that probably don’t work. Just install the program, open it from the desktop icon, browse to your wallpaper folders, select your wallpaper and off you go. You can also select multiple wallpapers and have them change automatically at time intervals. I just bought a Gateway mini from Best Buy and was I ticked to find out that MS had locked the desktop. I tried everything, changing the registry, renaming the wallpaper I wanted to the same name as the default wallpaper. Nothing worked right until I found this software. Believe me this is the way to go. Here is the link.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47294-desktop-background-change-windows-7-starter.html
To be honest I have found the easiest and hassle free way to change the windows starter wallpaper is to download ’starter wallpaper changer’ seriously its awsm :D hopefully u agree!
if you alter img0.jpg and loose the wallpaper (screen goes Black)its because this registry key gets blanked out:
To fix:
regedit and find…
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\Wallpaper
enter key: %windir%\web\wallpaper\windows\img0.jpg
this is were we quit and shifted to linux.
just installed the latest version of the ubuntu – 9.10
Win7 vs Ubuntu9.10 – Effects
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6uFxxlKa4g
Win7 vs Ubuntu9.04 – Boot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3K9pSbvGkY
Ubuntu9.10 NetbookRemix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2btNhy4Kr7c
More
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpG4NjnKT7A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYgWE6Svpag&NR=1
i changed my background on windows 7 starter edition
[...] #Notsundayfootball 2010-01-10 20:45:47 · Reply · View tantanoo: @perniciously http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/03/28/surprise-you-cant-change-your-wallpaper-in-windows-7-starter... 2010-01-10 20:45:32 · Reply · View techglewindows7: Windows 7-Performance – [...]
Installed Oceanis’s background updater a couple days ago, worked fine. Got a load of Windows automatic updates yesterday and today (Jan 11), background was reset, and now Oceanis doesn’t do anything… WHAT is the point of this madness?
haii, ihave overwritten img0 in my windows 7 7068…but ican’t still set my wallpaper.
pls help me
EASY FIX FOR THIS!
1. Get Fedora Linux (http://www.fedoraproject.org). Download Fedora 12 650+MB ISO file.
2A. Get Fedora’s USB Live-Image Creator (or whatever they call it) also available from same site.
3A. Use the two to create a USB drive Live-Install of Linux.
(Alternatively)
2B. Burn image with ISO burning software (don’t just cut/paste it to a disc, it won’t work) to a CD-ROM
3B. Go to step 4
4. Boot into Linux. Open the “My Computer” icon, select “media”, then navigate as follows down into the Misro$oft Win/DOS directory structure as follows:
Go to (Whatever your hard drive is called, select the hard-disc icon), go to Windows, go to Web, go to Wallpaper, go to Windows (again), and rename the file called “img0.jpg” to something else, like “screwM$.jpg”
(Alternatively)
4A. If you have another windows jpeg of the same size and shape, copy it to the same place and give it the original filename. You can simply delete the original image, but I’ve found it’s sometimes handy to keep originals like that around for archival purposes.
5. Reboot into Win/DOS. :) Ugly M$ Win/DOS logo is gone, screen is plain blue. A definite improvement.
(Alternatively)
5A. While looking at the Linux Live-CD/Live-USB install, note how nice it is to be able to do whatever you want with your own computer, without @$$40135 in Redmond, WA dictating to you what you can and can’t do with their wretched CrippleWare, and realize you’d be better off just wiping all M$ garbage off your harddrive, and living free, with Linux!
If you must continue to use Misro$oft Win/DOS 7 Starter/Crippleware Edition, at least you don’t need the constant reminder that Misro$oft thinks you are a worthless pile of d0g$h1t, for not paying to use their oh-so-much-better (and of course,) more expensive Win/DOS version.
Misro$oft will slowly drive all their own customers away with their arrogance and stupidity, and when they fail, (which they will,) GOOD RIDDANCE I say!
/rant.
Hi guys,
I too have this background problem, and when I saw Gabe’s solution I was more then thrilled! But in my enthusiasm I forgot the jpg extension! So when I restarted it, the screen went black. I tried to undo the process entering the old key (%windir%\web\wallpaper\windows\img0.jpg), but an error came across, as you can see here: http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/5423/backgroundfs.jpg
What should I do now? :D Cause I do wanna change my background!
Thanks srg84 and Gabe for posting the noob version. Fuck starter so hard.
I like the wallpaper (how its B&W plus the colored fish), is there a way to get it in widescreen, maybe 1680×1050 or 1920×1200?
you know, i actually just found a far more simple solution
you open de image file in mspaint, goto file (the icon thingy) and select “set as desktop background” in de dropdown
there is a slight possibility this worked because i have an altered version of 7 starter (for eee701)
[...] Rafael Rivera has unveiled the technical side behind the same, a new licensing bit was introduced – ChangeDesktopBackground-Enabled. On Starter Edition SKUs, this bit is set to 0, disabling background setting capabilities in Windows Photo Viewer and the Display/Theme Control Panel applets. The infection goes deeper into system files shell32.dll and themeui.dll too, hard-coding the wallpaper to %windir%webwallpaperwindowsimg0.jpg. [...]
It doesn’t work, Iron. :|
Iron’s method is fake and gay.
Nah just kidding. Would have been fun if that worked though :P
hi all. i just bought a dell mini 10 with windows 7 starter. im able to change my wallpaper by using stardock mycolors, it really works. You can download it for free. I downloaded the diamond theme, then from there the wallpaper can be changed. i hope this helps.
I was about to purchase a netbook until I found out about the limitation of Windows 7 Starter. I’m holding this purchase until these notebook offer the home version. At the same time, I’m exploring netbook with Linux. I think this is a huge mistake by netbook manufacture and perhaps Microsoft.
NOTE: Do not post crap hosted on Mediafire (or any file hosting service) in my comment areas.
If you want to change your windows 7 background and it doesn’t let you you should try out http://www.mediafire.com/?h2g5hdmz0nn it really work try it. when i first used it it actually worked. just go to the link and press download and save it or run it, which ever you want it. next it will pop up a box saying do want want this to make a few changes to your computer click yes and a small box will pop up. then click browse pick any picture click apply then it will say you must log back on to your computer so it can make the changes and when you try it will be changed thanks for reading this post comments if it didn’t work.
There is a fix for this posted at http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download-netbook
In addition to freeing the restrictions on desktop wallpaper this fix also incorporates numerous security and performance improvements.