How to Change the Desktop Wallpaper in Windows 7 Starter Edition

Last Updated: April 21, 2021

If you have Windows 7 Starter edition installed on your netbook, you may be frustrated that you can't change the wallpaper. While there's no built-in way to change the wallpaper, there are a couple of ways around the restriction. Follow this guide to get your own picture set as a wallpaper.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Install A Third-Party Program

1
Download a wallpaper changing program. There are several free options available on the internet for free. The most popular option is Oceans. You can download it here. Oceanis is a free program, and is not reported to have viruses or malware. This guide is designed for Oceanis.
2
Extract the ZIP file. The .zip file that you downloaded contains an .exe file. To extract it, right-click on the.zip file and select Extract All… You’ll be prompted as to where you want to extract the files. Once you have extracted the file, drag the newly-extracted Oceanis_Change_Background_W7.exe file onto your desktop.

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3
Run the file. Double-click on the Oceanis_Change_Background_W7.exe file once it is on your desktop. Your computer will be automatically restarted. Once your computer restarts, you’ll see that your background has been changed to the Oceanis default background.
4
Open Oceanis. Once your computer has rebooted, open the Oceanis Change Background Windows 7 shortcut. This will open the Oceanis program, allowing you to browse your computer for new background images.
- Check the box next to multiple images to create a desktop slideshow. You can change the settings for the slideshow if you’d like.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Edit the Registry

1
Open regedit. This program will let you edit entries in the Windows Registry. Click the Start menu and type “regedit” into the search bar. Select regedit from the list of programs that appear.
- Be very careful when working in regedit, as changing the wrong values can render your computer inoperable.
- Navigate to the correct folder. In the left frame, select the HKEY_CURRENT_USER tree. From the list of directories, select Control Panel. In the Control Panel tree, select Desktop.
2
Change the wallpaper path. After selecting Desktop, find the entry labeled Wallpaper and double-click it. In the field, enter the path for the new wallpaper image.
- Example: “C:\Users\John\Pictures\new_wallpaper.jpg”
3
Change the permissions. Right-click on the Desktop folder. Click the Permissions option. Select Advanced and then the Owner tab. In the “Change owner to” box, highlight your name (there should only be your name and the administrator) and press OK.
- Click on Advanced again. Uncheck the box labeled “Include inheritable permissions from the object’s parent…” When you are prompted, click Remove.
- Click Add. Type “Everyone” into the field and press OK. Allow Read Control, and then click OK. Click OK in the next window.
- Highlight the new Everyone entry and check Allow for Read. Click OK.
4
Restart your computer. Once your computer has restarted, you should see your new desktop wallpaper.

Community Q&A

Question

I've tried everything but it didn't work. What else can I do?

WF

Top Answerer

If you can't edit the reg. file, download the "enable_custom_login_backgrounds_in_windows_7.zip" file from the internet.