Window blinds wont let me change wallpapers in xp

from Stardock Forums
im trying to uninstall windowblinds but i cant change wallpapers in the display poperties in xp. is there a way to fix this before i uninstall WB5?
windowblinds
8,126 views 34 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
open WB configure and in the settings find and uncheck 'use any wallpaper if supplied'
right click desktop > properties > desktop > customize desktop > web > uncheck 'lock desktop items and/or right click > arrange icons by > make sure lock web items is unchecked

did you ever turn off theme services?
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
all the settings where right and i dont know how to turn off the theme services
TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
how to turn off the theme services

Sevices is in Admintrative Tools - find it in the list and see if it's started or disabled

sometimes even if setting are right, re checking applying, unchecking applying can wake it up.



Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
the service is still running {auto setting} and checking\unchecking options didnt help
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can you apply the "Windows Classic" theme via WindowBlinds > reboot > apply the Windows XP theme via "Display Properties\Themes tab\Theme drop-down list"?
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
possibly #195 down on the left Link

there were some posts on your issue at WC but nothing's been working lately.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

i was able to, yes.

Did the 'bliss' wall apply?

If not, is there a wall named "Desktop" at the bottom of the background list under "Display Properties\Desktop tab"?

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

no it didnt load and i cant select or scroll the list for backgrounds under "display properties\desktop"

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Okay,

Look in the registry (Start > Run > type: regedit > press "Enter") and in the left-hand pane, expand the folders (keys) to the following:

"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"

Expand the "Policies" folder (key) and see if there is a "System" folder (key).

If so, highlight that key and see if there is an entry in the right-hand pane that has a value (Data) of "C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper\Desktop.html".

If there is an entry with that value (Data), right-click the name of that entry (right-most column in the right-hand pane of the registry editor), and then select "Delete".

Note - before editing this right click the "System" folder (key) in the left-hand pane > select "Export" > in the Export dialog, give the file a name ("Before.reg" or similar) > save to say "My Documents". This file can be double-clicked to restore that key if needed.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
(Default) Reg_sz (value noe set)

Disablechangepassword Reg_Dword 0x00000000 (0)

DisableLockWorkstation Reg_Dword 0x00000000 (0)

Disableregistrytools Reg_Dword 0x00000000 (0)

DisableTaskMgr Reg_Dword 0x00000000 (0)

NoDispCPL Reg_Dword 0x00000000 (0)

Wallpaper Reg _sz

WallpaperStyle Reg_SZ 0

 

 

thats what my reg looks like there
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Your easiest fix may be to download and run this http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/wallpaperenable.reg

The above file link is from "kelly's Korner" and is a registry file which enables wallpaper changing (all support image files).

A couple of manual checks you can do in the registry are:

1 - Run a search for "desktop.html" in the registry (Edit > Find) using the default search selections.

Note - you can hit "F3" to find the next instance.

2 - Look under the following keys in the left-hand pane of the registry editor for an "ActiveDesktop" key:

"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"

"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"

Highlight any "ActiveDesktop" key in the left-hand pane and look for a key that has "Wallpaper" in the name. Usually it will be a key allowing a specific type of wallpaper. Depending on the entry, you will want to set the value (Data) to either "0" (disabled), or "1" enabled. Note - the ones I have seen should be set to "0" (disabled).

Again, your best bet may be to use the file link from Kelly's, as this will reset the appropriate registry keys to enable wallpaper changing in the registry.

As always, backup the registry before any editing.   

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top
I seached the Reg and didnt find anything like that and the link you gave was broken, but i think i found it.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm thinking a system restore to a point previous to installing WindowBlinds, or just after installing it.

If this is possible, see if it corrects the issue.

If not, you can undo the restore change. I would say that you may be looking at a registry entry, spyware, or a program setting that is creating the problem if a system restore is successful and does not fix the problem.

Hopefully some others will chime in if they have any thoughts on this one.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I forgot to list the keys created by that downloaded file:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop]
"NoChangingWallPaper"=dword:00000000
"NoAddingComponents"=dword:00000000
"NoComponents"=dword:00000000
"NoDeletingComponents"=dword:00000000
"NoEditingComponents"=dword:00000000
"NoCloseDragDropBands"=dword:00000000
"NoMovingBands"=dword:00000000
"NoHTMLWallPaper"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"NoDispBackgroundPage"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"NoDispScrSavPage"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoActiveDesktopChanges"=hex:00,00,00,00
"NoActiveDesktop"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"NoDispCPL"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoSaveSettings"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"ClassicShell"=dword:00000000

You can remove those keys (from the right-hand pane) if you wish, before attempting any system restore.

If you do not use Active Desktop, you can actually delete that complete folder (key) from the left-hand pane.

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top
spyware\virus not likely. macfee hasnt picked up anything. and the system restore is out due to another app made a new restore point before i saw the problem {but did try didnt work}......
Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top
here's a long shot: Link
Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top
now just to verify, the link is sending me to the windows website to download "windows scripts 5.6"
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yep - told you it was a long shot
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can you change wallpapers using WindowBlinds?
Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top
yea with windowblinds i can. but im wanting to get rid of windowblinds....
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

This is starting to sound like WindowBlinds may be preventing the change.

How about this:

1 - Open WB config panel and go to Basic Settings and select the "Apply any wallpaper included" option.

2 - Go into "Wallpaper" section and click the little tools button to bring up the location dialog and deselect all but the WindowBlinds directory option.

3 - Apply a skin that has a wall included.

4 - Reboot the computer and then unload WindowBlinds via the system tray icon context menu.

5 - Try applying the default Windows XP theme via Display Properties\Themes tab\Theme drop-down list.

If successful, does the Bliss wall apply this time?