Every image on my computer is listed for desktop background

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hosh
  • Start date Start date
H

Hosh

Suddenly, when I click Display Properties>Desktop, instead of the usual 20
or so Microsoft choices for a background image (Tulips, Windows XP, Zapotec,
etc) Every single image and photograph that's on my hard drive is in this
list. Thousands. It takes forever to open. Is this a registry fix or a
setting that got changed?
Does anyone know what to do here?

Thanks!
 
Hi Hosh,

For the Display Properties Background tab, Windows XP fetches the image
files from the following locations:

BMP Files from %Systemroot%

BMP, JPG, GIF, JPE, DIB, PNG, HTM files from the following locations:

%Systemroot%\Web\Wallpaper
%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Pictures
%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
%ProgramFiles%\Plus!\Themes

If you want to clear a file from that list, move the file away from the
above locations. Type the above paths in Start, Run dialog.
 
XP Desktop gets its picture from here:
C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper directory.
Open the Destop again and click the Browse button
Now navigate to the above Directory and Open it. This will reset
all the pictures/wallpaper back to default, make your selection of
what you want for background, click Apply and OK.
 
Thank you for the instant response!
The thing I'm not understanding though is that this just suddenly happened.
One day I only had 20 or so images in that list, the next day thousands.
Perhaps there is a way to eliminate "%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Pictures"
from Windows lists of choices?
 
Perhaps there is a way to eliminate "%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\Myfrom Windows lists of choices?

I don't remember of any resolution posted as of yet. But, in some systems,
Windows ignores a folder if there are large number of image files (This tip
is from David Candy). This works in some systems I tested with, but doesn't
in some. Your best bet is to move those image files outside of the My
Pictures folder, until someone posts a resolution.
 
Than you Byte!
I just tried your suggestion and unfortunately, it didn't reset.
Is there a registry entry maybe where I can remove all the other choices?
Thanks!
 
Thanks Ramesh.
That would be an incontinent solution at best, I have many graphics
programs, etc that would have to have all kinds of saving and opening paths
changed an things like that. Then there's the wife factor, I can't throw her
any curves like that.
Here's a thought...
When I go to change the background, If I choose "Browse" and then click the
dropdown for "file name", I get about 25 or so choices. Apparently choices I
have made before. If I clear this list do you think it would help? Do you
know where it's registered? I can't seem to find it.
I know this problem is insignificant but when something "feels" broke, it
drives my crazy.
Thanks!
 
Thanks Ramesh.
That would be an incontinent solution at best, I have many graphics
programs, etc that would have to have all kinds of saving and opening paths
changed an things like that. Then there's the wife factor, I can't throw her
any curves like that.
Here's a thought...
When I go to change the background, If I choose "Browse" and then click the
dropdown for "file name", I get about 25 or so choices. Apparently choices I
have made before. If I clear this list do you think it would help? Do you
know where it's registered? I can't seem to find it.
I know this problem is insignificant but when something "feels" broke, it
drives my crazy.
Thanks!
 
Hosh said:
Thank you for the instant response!
The thing I'm not understanding though is
that this just suddenly happened. One day
I only had 20 or so images in that list,
the next day thousands. (snip)
Click to expand...


I'd like an answer for that myself. I have two computers at home. One (the
one I'm using now) is listing just the images in "%Systemroot%" and
"%Systemroot%\Web\Wallpaper," while the other just yesterday started listing
everything in the "My Pictures" folder also. That other computer is slightly
over a year old and has never done that before. As such, I'm also wonder why
all this is suddenly happening now.

Further, why now on one computer and not the other. Both have the same
operating system, MS updates, and virtually identical software installed.
Neither have had any significant changes, new software or whatever, within
the last week or so.

A support document on Microsoft's web site says the first behavior ("My
Pictures" in the listing) is normal. If so, this computer is working
improperly and the other also was for over a year. However, since I prefer
not to have "My Pictures" included in the listing, I'm certainly not
complaining about that. Instead, I'm more concerned about the behavior of
this computer changing to also add "My Pictures" to the background listing.

Stewart
 
Hi Hosh,

I just wondered if you solved the problem with the wallpaper list?
I have the same problem, it just happened overnight and it's really annoying!
All the 'original' pictures are there but every other pic on my pc is there
as well!
People say remove them from 'my pictures' but what good is that?
'My pictures' is there to put pics into!! I have had pictures in there for
years
and they have only just appeared in the wallpaper list!
Why!!!
Please help, it drives me mad!

thanks
 
I agree, it is irritating. My Background List just recently changed, as well.
Another interesting thing is that even pictures that are 'hidden' still show
up in that list. And Dave is correct, what is the point of having a 'My
Pictures' folder if you can't put anything in there?
 
Hi again,

With a bit of playing around, I seem to have fixed this problem!
I decided to pick a picture in the background list, remember its name and
then look for it in 'My pictures'. I picked one that I could do without, then
deleted it from the 'My pictures' folder. Stick with me here! After doing
this, I went back to the background list and the picture I deleted wasn't
listed anymore AND all the other pictures from 'My pictures' weren't listed
either!
I did have a few others still listed that I didn't want in the list, but you
can just click on 'Start'-'Search' and then search for them and I found most
of them were in the 'C:Windows' folder. Just move them from there to 'My
pictures' or delete them and you can get the list back to the way it should
be.
After doing this, I decided to pick a picture from 'My pictures' and set it
as the background to see if all the pictures went back to the list. However,
after changing the background back to a 'default picture' the other one
disappeared from the list.
So, I don't know how this problem occured in the first place but now I know
how to fix it.
I hope this works for you lot as well.
 
Didn't work for me. Bummer. Out of curiosity, did you empty the recycle bin
after deleting the picture? Because I didn't so that it could be restored in
case it didn't work. Maybe that is why it didn't work. Also, were there any
system restarts involved?
 
HI,

I did empty the recycle bin but it had already fixed it by then so this
isn't why it is isn't working for you. I also didn't need to restart at all.
I assume the picture you deleted must have gone from the list?
I must admit, the picture I deleted from 'My pictures' was not in a folder,
it was just as a 'thumbnail' in there. You could try this, if you have any
thumbnails.
 
You are a grade A moron, idiot, and cretin (all at the same time). There is
no problem. It is working exactly as it's supposed to. You were told the
rules but seem far too stupid to understand. Now you are spreading you evil
little retarded (and wrong) thoughts to other.

My Pics, incl subfolders, show in Display untill about 100 pictures are in
the folder. It's that f#ckin simple. They are supposed to. It's so hard
talkin to such a f#ckin idiot. Limited users cannot put their pictures
anywhere but My Pics. What do you suggest you stupid c^nt. That they not be
able to choose theire own pictures.

SHOW ME THE PROBLEM

Obviously performance issues means one needs a cutoff point. It'a around
100.

So you NEED TO APOLOGISE for you lying and criminal behaviour. THERE IS NO
PROBLEM, LIAR.
 
He doesn't have a clue what he is talking about. He is a spammer just
causing trouble here.
 
Are you still around Travieso?
I'd just like to know if you know what this foul-mouthed 'David Candy' is
blabbering on about?
I was only trying to help, that's all.
 
People claiming there is a problem when there is clearly not. The fact you are stupid is ok. But your interpretation of your own stupidity as a problem with windows is not ok. If you want to ask questions you ask them. You do not editorialise.

The real issue is you are really stupid. Just ignore it. That's the answer. Just ignore it. Windows wasn't designed to constantly change the background. MS thought people might want to do something with their computers, though opbviously not with you.

Do you have proof of what you say? Because MS would have spent a few million on finding out what the customer wants. And they want to set their picture as a background. So moron, I'll repeat the rules;

My Pics, incl subfolders, show in Display untill about 100 pictures are in
the folder. Limited users cannot put their pictures
anywhere but My Pics. What do you suggest you stupid cretin. That they not be
able to choose their own pictures.

SHOW ME THE PROBLEM

Obviously performance issues means one needs a cutoff point. It'a around
100.

Then you have the hide to say

"And Dave is correct, what is the point of having a 'My
Pictures' folder if you can't put anything in there?"

You are such a idiot. Words escape me with such stupidity.
 

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