Display-Desktop-Browse feature won't select files for new background

[MG]

All,

A peculiar situation. When I go to Display Properties-> Desktop->
Background-> Browse (for a new file), I get the dialog box that shows the
folders and files I can select to replace the current background image.
However, when I select an image, it closes the dialog box and the background
preview remains the same. Also, the only images that show up in the
Background list are those default .bmp's in the Windows folder.

I CAN change the background image by opening Explorer, right-clicking an
image file and selecting "set as background," then closing Explorer. The
background will change, and the filename will show up on the Background
file-list. However, if I select a second image for background, the first
filename is removed from the list and the next one is displayed.

I tried adding some other .bmp's and .jpg's to the Windows folder, but the
background list won't display those, either.

Any thoughts?

MikeG

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

MG,

See if this helps!

Open Registry Editor and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop

In the right-pane, delete 'NoHTMLWallPaper' value. If you see any other
entries there, post them here.

Do the same here:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Window XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k


All,

A peculiar situation. When I go to Display Properties-> Desktop->
Background-> Browse (for a new file), I get the dialog box that shows the
folders and files I can select to replace the current background image.
However, when I select an image, it closes the dialog box and the background
preview remains the same. Also, the only images that show up in the
Background list are those default .bmp's in the Windows folder.

I CAN change the background image by opening Explorer, right-clicking an
image file and selecting "set as background," then closing Explorer. The
background will change, and the filename will show up on the Background
file-list. However, if I select a second image for background, the first
filename is removed from the list and the next one is displayed.

I tried adding some other .bmp's and .jpg's to the Windows folder, but the
background list won't display those, either.

Any thoughts?

MikeG

 

[MG]

Ramesh,

Thanks for the reply.

Active Desktop is missing from Policies in both HKEY's. I searched for
"active desktop" in the registry, and only came up with two items labeled
"active desktop mover." I do have Admin access.

Anything else to try?

MikeG

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Mike,

Delete the 'NoActiveDesktopChanges' value here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
-and here-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

If you're running XP Pro, open GPEDIT.MSC and go to:

User Configuration | Administrative Templates | Desktop | Active Desktop

See if any of the policies are enabled.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Window XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k


Ramesh,

Thanks for the reply.

Active Desktop is missing from Policies in both HKEY's. I searched for
"active desktop" in the registry, and only came up with two items labeled
"active desktop mover." I do have Admin access.

Anything else to try?

MikeG