(no, this is not an April Fools)
Saturday, I posted a little blurb about Windows 7 Starter Edition and how the wallpaper could not be changed. In the article, I mentioned a workaround of simply replacing the img0.jpg file. In haste, I didn’t test it… I mean, what could have gone wrong, right?
It didn’t work at all. Sorry about that. Replacing the image will result in a beautiful black screen, identical to the one you see when you don’t activate your machine and run out of grace time (and time-bomb cheats). Why?
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 – that is BDB1C7176946A5013E57E28B46911BF04AB6DBB9402FA37464F563F502A11677.
The hard-coded nature of this hash strongly suggests that Windows 7 Starter Edition will only ship with one wallpaper and you will like it damnit. What do you think?
What sucks here is not the OS. It is the rather obvious ploy to get users to upgrade. I’ve noticed that M$ has lowered the price of this OS across the board (vs Vista), in hopes that this marketing strategy (crippling features to drive upgrades) when coupled with lower prices will drive sales. The problem is, there’s nothing cheaper than free. There are very few users who buy the OS directly. Most pay for the OS OEM with their machines, the rest “know a guy” with an enterprise copy or a hacked copy. This is exactly what I’ll be doing, if I bother to install windows at all on the netbook I just bought with windows 7 starter. Basically it isn’t as much the software as the “principal”. And frankly, M$ is just calling us dumb by saying that disabling “themes” makes the OS run better. I used to run Stardock themes on top of XP running on a 1.8 single core P4 with 512MB of RAM so even the opacity argument wouldn’t hold water when running on a duo-core 1.6 Atom with 1+GB of RAM. I love the concept of a netbook, the technology is possible to make great ultra-portable computers, but the hardware and software manufacturers would rather we buy the premium products and limit these machines for fear that they will hurt their sales of higher end products. Like the American car companies who limited production and quality of more efficient compact cars and station wagons to force consumers to buy minivans and SUVs. Didn’t work out so well for them or the American people. Will Windows 7 Starter cause us to have to bail out M$? No. Is the business model behind ignoring real demand to artificially create the demand you want a viable one long term? No. So the next question is how far off is a M$ bailout really?
Yes, I can change the wallpaper. Thanks!
i just bought my netbook, and try hardest to change my wallpaper..but,not working..now i can put my photo as my wallpaper..thanks a lot….
Cherry: You have removed it from your website. Can you please send it to me: tsaktuo@tvnet.lv
Thanks!
@Cherry can pleas send it to me alington1@gmail.com
Damn you Gates!!! I’m a XP user, thank God, but I bought a laptop with starter for my mum, and ai tried do change the wallpaper, as she asked. then I tought “I’m stupid, why can’t I change the wallpaper? it’s not possible!! then I came and red this articles!!! WHAT?? stupid limitation. I tried Stardock and no results to! any other ways? thanks.
i wont to know why i cnt i put a desktop picture of my children on my laptop using windows 7 starter this is a crap version i much rather have windows xp again
(*&^ – I just bought my wife an HP netbook for Christmas – $349 and I can changle the bloody wallpaper.
THIS SUX !
Hi…. if wpchanger is still available from anyone, please email to john.allinson (at) hotmail.com
Thanks….. this will get me out of trouble with my wife’s new netbook that I bought for Christmas ….
John A.
@Cherry please send your great work to me abepantyhose@yahoo.com.sg
Will someone please forward me this program at chadalan7@gmail.com
Well, I got a netbook for the holidays, and i was pretty happy about it. But later on I found out that I coudnt even change the background. I mean ill be pretty upset about it for a couple of hours, but thats pretty much it. I love changing the background pic, it represents my personality very much…
hahahaha this sucks! but its not my moms fault that her fifteen year old. . . me . . . would have know not to buy this stupid windows starter but i have to give it to her to buy me a notebook. ehhhh who even looks at the background like ohh im going to stare at this and hate it. wow. dont mess with it either. just go back and switch over thats what im going to do. plus my mom likes to but my love so she wont care. :)
The screen has all blacked out for me :S :P I cant even get into regedit anymore :S
please send program to skoboten@yahoo.com thx.
I am having the same big problem as yellowlizard, abiza, and Damn.
I followed Gabe’s instructions step-by-step. When I reset the computer, and it loaded up, after the log on screen all I get is a completely black screen except for the cursor. Ctrl+Alt+del can get me into task manager, but that’s it. The computer is basically a paper weight now because I have no idea how to get back into windows where I can actually see anything, or reverse the steps in Gabe’s instructions.
Can anyone help us here? I’ve got a brand new MSI Wind U123 paperweight…
Sounds like some permission issues. In Task Manager, click File -> New Task and type regedit.exe, then carefully repeat the steps Gabe outlined. Make sure Everyone has READ control.
Update 1:
actually, after the first time, i wasn’t able to get back into Task Manager for some reason. The option was there, but nothing happened when I clicked it.
I tried to enter safe mode, and that did the exact same thing with black screen except for the cursor.
However, I was able to reset, press F8 on system loading, and select an option to repair my computer. I picked windows restore and it restored to before I did the regedit. Now I have a working computer again. (yay)
But… a black wallpaper that I’d like to change, but I’m afraid of it happening again.
Download and install Stardock MyColors. It’s free and should be easier for you.
Update 2:
Well I found a solution that I like. I came across a very light program (doesn’t even install, just run the single file everytime you want to change wallpaper to a new one). It’s called Starter Wallpaper Changer.
It’s much lighter than installing Stardock MyColors and it doesn’t force a theme on you either. Couldn’t be any easier to use.
I was cautious running an exe file, but I did a virus scan before running and it came up clean. It worked and I’m not having any problems.
I went back into the registry to see if the program did what Gabe had posted, and basically it did the all same things, but without blowing up my computer. The desktop folder in the registry is set to “everyone” and with read access. The wallpaper registry key is set to the file extension of the wallpaper. While I’m pretty sure I followed the steps exactly, maybe I did something slightly wrong the first time, and the consequences were big. Luckily the system restore worked, but I recommend this program.
I’m not sure if it’s legal or not to be posting the link, or using the program, so I made a second post for it.
Here is the link that I found to the Starter Wallpaper Changer:
http://www.mediafire.com/?rgn2ymnmwdw
If the forum moderator doesn’t want the link posted, then you can just delete this post.
I was psyched to find this website because i thought my brand new laptop was broken since i was unable to change the wallpaper. I tried the Starter Wallpaper Changer and all i got was the black screen. It tells me to log off in order for the screen to work and then fails. I’m thinking that i’m doing it wrong, can someone give me step by step directions maybe. Sorry for the inconvenience.
thanks for the instructions!!! i followed em and now i can change the wallpaper lol
im gonna download the wallpaper changer and i hope it will work, if not i know now how to
thanks guys!!!
Hello,
Just for the sake of it, i thought i’d explain my position. Last week (well abit more than a week now but who gives a shit) i bought a Toshiba netbook for 500 after cashback ( I better get my fuking cash back i’m still waiting for it). Anyway, the situation arises like this. My second day into Windows 7 starter, i’m already fuking hating every single thing about it.
It gets worse.
On my third day, ( it was a dark and stormy day) i took a big runny shit due to drinking few too many beers the night before and sat on my chair. I turned my Netbook on, waited for it to load impatiently whilst blaming the loading time on Windows 7 when it struck. Soon as i pressed right click, BANNGGGGGG.
How the FUK do i change my wallpaper?
FINEE i said, i’ll go to the fuking image i want and go to set as Background or whatever the FUK IT WAS BACK IN THE GOOD OLD FUKING DAYS.
BANNGGGG NOOOOO, WHERE THE FUK IS IT? I’m starting to panick.
Thats all i can remember but let me just say the most important thing.
I am absolutely flabbergasted. I cannot believe ( even after getting pocession of the Starter Wallpaper Changer) that the user does not have the ‘privilege’??? to change his own WALLPAPER? WHOEVER MADE THIS FUKING DECISION DESERVES TO GET A HORSES COCK STUCK SO FUKINGMOTHERFUKING FAR UP HIS OR HER ASSHOLE THAT THEY’LL BLEED TO DEATH SLOWLY WHILE SOMEBODY ELSE JUST WATCHES AND HOPEFULLY GETS BORED AND PUTS A FUKING BULLET INBETWEEN THEIR FUKING EYES SO THEY CAN NEVER MAKE SUCH A FUKING MORONIC AND INDESCRIBABLY FUKING DUMB DECISION IN THEIR MEANINGLESS FUKING EXISTENCE. IMAGINE WHAT THEIR FUKING CHILDREN MUST THINK ABOUT HAVING PARENTS WHO MADE THE DECISION TO RELEASE A FUKING VERSION OF WINDOWS THAT DOESN’T ALLOW ONE TO CHANGE THE FUKING WALLPAPER!!!!!!!????? ROFLLL..LOLLL.. I LITERALLY CANNOT FUKING BELIEVE IT. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A COMPUTER???? ROFLLL. I SWEAR TO FUKING GOD, WHAT THE FUK HAS THIS WORLD COME TO. I NEVER THOUGHT I’D LIVE TO THE DAY THAT TO CHANGE MY WALLPAPER WOULD BECOME SOME SORT OF A PRIVILEGE IN ANY FORM OF COMPUTER OR DEVICE.
FUKINGG DOGS… FUKING RATS… I WOULDN’T EVEN WASTE MY SPIT ON THEIR DOG FACES. FUKING MAGGOTS.
THEY ARE THE MAGGOTS THAT LIVE ON A DEAD RAT IN THE SEWERAGE. NOT THE GUTTER, BUT THE SEWERAGE.
HOPEFULLY, IF THERE IS A GOD OUT THERE, JUST ONE OF PIECES OF MY SHIT WILL JUST FALL ON THEM. HOPEFULLY IN ONE OF THERE EYES. FUKING MAGGOTS.
AND AS FOR WINDOWS 7.
WHAT A SHAME FOR WINDOWS. BITTER TASTE, STILL I’D RATHER LEAVE IT IN MY MOUTH THAN SPIT ON THEM WHILE SOMEBODY BURNS THEM ALIVE.
THEN I’LL SPIT IT OUT ON THERE DEAD BURNT BODIES BUT ONLY AFTER THEY BECOME CHARCOAL JUST INCASE THE’RE SOULS FEEL SOME KIND OF RELIEF. PIECES OF SHIT.
and as for the Windows Wallpaper Changer, my thanks and appreciation for the effort. To everyone who found the link, shared the link and made the program. Also for the forum who gave me the opportunity to show my dissatisfaction.
Ive recently bought a netbook for the simple use of going on the net. Its a good little netbook which has Windows 7 starter on it and It does the job, so cant really complain about the basic ability it seems to have.
But i agree, Microsoft taking away the customers ability to change their own wallpaper does seem a touch silly and petty if you ask me. I even took the time out to ring the technical support as i thought it was broken and thats when i was told you CAN NOT change it on Windows 7 starter.
Now i dont have the beta fish, thank god!! i just have a blue wallpaper with the windows logo which i think looks better than the fish! also somewhat less depressing! Bus i really can not understand why Microsof have done this.
I can live without changing my wallpaper as i now use the pictures i want in my screen saver almost like a slide show instead but thats not the point the option should be there as so many people do it.
Bad move Windows, my next laptop will be a Mac i think!!
Hello I used the link that help us please posted for the wallpaper change and i was stoked but now three days later i have just gotten the blue screen of death! are you kidding me I would have lived with the wallpaper if i wouldve known id get that.. ok so im not that computer smart and i guess i wa a little naive for thinking that it wasnt gonna mess my system up but now i dont want it i tried to put in the address for the default picture and i cant get it back if i delete the application that was downladed will it just go back to normal?? please help..lol
Just got an HP100 Mini with Windows 7 starter. Can’t file share or stream to my home wireless networked XP computers, can’t change the desktop background. HUH?.
Downloaded Linux Ubuntu 9.04 and installed. WOW. Fully functional, easy to use, no arbitrary functional limitations and it FREE, so I don’t have to give MS any more of my hard earned money to upgrade from a crippled OS.
Thanks srg84 and Gabe!
It worked perfectly, and I get to change the wallpaper in Windows 7 Starter Edition.
Anyone can do that! Just find Gabe messages posted at November 15, 2009 at 4:20 am and November 26, 2009 at 2:33 am.
thank gabe and srg
works a treat and it is nice to not have to look at that abysmal background.
to all having problames where just a black screen appears after the edit:
make sure you add the file extension (e.g. ‘.jpg’) after the image name.
so for a jpeg image called cool1, make sure you type ‘\cool1.jpg’ not just ‘\cool1′
it took me the best part of half an hour and about seven tries to figure this out :D
Is Wisconsin a emerging country? I just bought my Acer netbook at a local Walmart! Stupid americans…
T_T.. just got a new netbook.. I never thought it would be in starter pack.. T_T
I have just purchased a sony netbook today and all that advertising said was windows 7 , It has 7 starter and a pale blue screen with windows logo in white .And no Great Britain is not a emerging nation either !
Hi all,
I have just purchased Asus Eee PC Seashell 1005PE. This one is also equipped with the Windows 7 Starter, however, there is an application called Eee Docking, which allows you to change the background image (Eee Docking > Eee Tools > System Setting > Background Image).
Gabe
I have a netbook and want to follow your instructions. do you mean I just type over the location of the wall paper I want in place of the wallpaper “key”? I am not tech inclined and afraid of doing something wrong. It is a new netbook and I wished I was told about the desktop. I guess having the picture slideshow or screensaver is out of the question..
Mabel
Yes click on to existing wallpaper path should light up blue then back space delete and add new path. New path must be 100 per cent spot on or you will get black screen. It took me 5 attempts due to missing out a forward slash. You can get exact path by clicking on photo thumnail to use, then right click,properties then securities it will be written near to top. Dont forget JPG on end.
You will have to have an Administrator account type to perform the op.
Windows 7 Starter has a host of problems — this desktop limitation is just one of them. There are some applications that might be important to yoou (e.g., Kodak Easyshare software) that you simply cannot run with it. Clearly, it is another idiotic, inferior product from our friends at MS; expect a wonderful series of Justin Long commercials making fun of it.
The new Windows 7 has some really amazing characterictis in what respects to the wallpaper. It’s very lame that the starters edition doesn’t have them, because its the one I got.
i will definetely solve this issue !!!
I too am frustrated by this ridiculous limitation. In trying to apply the workarounds, my windows genuine status was called into question. I LITERALLY HAD TO USE THE RECOVERY PARTITION BECAUSE OF M$ STUPIDITY!!!!!!!!!!
I may try Ubuntu on the netbook or mandriva.
Come on Microsoft. Do the right thing and let people at least change their desktop image for crying out loud. I should NOT have to upgrade to ultimate or premium for that simple thing.
I have a HP Mini 110 packed with Windows 7 Starter. please help,,, I can’t change my wallpaper. I’m just a 10 year old girl and I can’t understand any of what they are saying. I’m afraid that if i download the said programs. my computer might break down :(( PLEASE HELP :))
Ok, im an super upset that something so simple to change on a netbook/labtop/notebook, or whatever, and they make the easiest part blocked? are they seriously slow? well anyway, i’d like to change my desktop picture as well, i tried what Gabe had explained but all i got was a black screen. Maybe im doing it all wrong, i think i need more detailed instrustions, if there is at all anyway to do this, if not, no big deal, but should i just return this damn netbook and save for a better one?
Windows seven starter is perfect for one thing… oh wait nevermind its only good to install a linux OS over and pretend you never had it
I agree with one of the posters – Windows 7 starter is a non-starter. It is also my last windows os. I have considered learning Linux for a long time just because I thought it valuble to know another OS. The time has come. I’m putting it on my old laptop and once comfortable with it, I’ll replace this numb nutz W7*r crap.
I found a way of changing the wallpaper WINDOWS 7 STARTER. Enter http://renaudgerson.fr/StarterBackgroundChanger/en/download/ and say download. This program is in French.