How can I stop "My Pictures" from being listed in avail. wallpapers?

[Guest John Corliss]

First off, I'm running XP Home SP3. I've installed no screen saver or

wallpaper manager programs.

 

For some reason, my computer has started listing all of the hundreds of

images in the "My Pictures" folder whenever I try to select a new

wallpaper. It seems that this tendency started after I installed SP3.

 

I *abhore* this new way of Windows doing things. Not only that, but

whenever I click on "Browse" to select another folder to select

wallpaper from, the default folder location is.... "My Pictures". GAAACK!!

 

I'm already aware of the registry hack for changing the default

wallpaper folder; supposedly you should be able to go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion,

doubleclick on the "WallPaperDir" value and then change the path listed

in that value.

 

However, when I look in the registry there, the value for "WallPaperDir"

is already %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper. I've tried changing this to other

locations, but nothing seems to work.

 

Can anybody tell me what's going on?

1. Why won't the default location change?

2. What event changed it in the first place?

3. Where is the default location really stored if not at the above

registry value?

 

TIA

 

--

John Corliss

[Guest Big_Al]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" from being listed in avail. wallpapers?

 

John Corliss wrote:

> First off, I'm running XP Home SP3. I've installed no screen saver or

> wallpaper manager programs.

>

> For some reason, my computer has started listing all of the hundreds of

> images in the "My Pictures" folder whenever I try to select a new

> wallpaper. It seems that this tendency started after I installed SP3.

>

> I *abhore* this new way of Windows doing things. Not only that, but

> whenever I click on "Browse" to select another folder to select

> wallpaper from, the default folder location is.... "My Pictures". GAAACK!!

>

> I'm already aware of the registry hack for changing the default

> wallpaper folder; supposedly you should be able to go to

> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion,

> doubleclick on the "WallPaperDir" value and then change the path listed

> in that value.

>

> However, when I look in the registry there, the value for "WallPaperDir"

> is already %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper. I've tried changing this to other

> locations, but nothing seems to work.

>

> Can anybody tell me what's going on?

> 1. Why won't the default location change?

> 2. What event changed it in the first place?

> 3. Where is the default location really stored if not at the above

> registry value?

>

> TIA

>

 

I've just been through that myself. Its set in the registry to use

C:\windows\web\wallpaper as the folder but also uses "my pictures". And

drives me crazy too. I smashed my middle toe and destoyed the nail etc

about 6 months ago and got the idea after about 3 months of what seemed

it was not healing, to start taking digital camera shots. I can now

see the progress of the new nail growing back. Its reassured me that

something positive is happening and I'll get a good toe back one day.

But I now have TOE wallpaper if that isn't just the right thing to

have on your desktop. NOT!!!!

 

So it put me on a hunt too, and I even asked here and got the same

response. Thanks Microsoft.

 

But maybe your message might hit some different eyes and give more info.

But I just made a "my photos" folder and moved them all there.

Horrible workaround really.

[Guest John Corliss]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" from being listed in avail. wallpapers?

 

Big_Al wrote:

> John Corliss wrote:

>> First off, I'm running XP Home SP3. I've installed no screen saver or

>> wallpaper manager programs.

>>

>> For some reason, my computer has started listing all of the hundreds

>> of images in the "My Pictures" folder whenever I try to select a new

>> wallpaper. It seems that this tendency started after I installed SP3.

>>

>> I *abhore* this new way of Windows doing things. Not only that, but

>> whenever I click on "Browse" to select another folder to select

>> wallpaper from, the default folder location is.... "My Pictures".

>> GAAACK!!

>>

>> I'm already aware of the registry hack for changing the default

>> wallpaper folder; supposedly you should be able to go to

>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion,

>> doubleclick on the "WallPaperDir" value and then change the path

>> listed in that value.

>>

>> However, when I look in the registry there, the value for

>> "WallPaperDir" is already %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper. I've tried

>> changing this to other locations, but nothing seems to work.

>>

>> Can anybody tell me what's going on?

>> 1. Why won't the default location change?

>> 2. What event changed it in the first place?

>> 3. Where is the default location really stored if not at the above

>> registry value?

>>

>> TIA

>>

>

> I've just been through that myself. Its set in the registry to use

> C:\windows\web\wallpaper as the folder but also uses "my pictures". And

> drives me crazy too. I smashed my middle toe and destoyed the nail etc

> about 6 months ago and got the idea after about 3 months of what seemed

> it was not healing, to start taking digital camera shots. I can now

> see the progress of the new nail growing back. Its reassured me that

> something positive is happening and I'll get a good toe back one day.

> But I now have TOE wallpaper if that isn't just the right thing to have

> on your desktop. NOT!!!!

>

> So it put me on a hunt too, and I even asked here and got the same

> response. Thanks Microsoft.

>

> But maybe your message might hit some different eyes and give more info.

> But I just made a "my photos" folder and moved them all there.

> Horrible workaround really.

 

Yeah, I was thinking about doing the same thing. I was also going to

make the default download folder for my digital camera that new

location. But you're right, as a solution it's only half-a**ed.

 

Hope your toe is better. 80)>

 

--

John Corliss

[Guest John Corliss]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" from being listed in avail. wallpapers?

 

John Corliss wrote:

> First off, I'm running XP Home SP3. I've installed no screen saver or

> wallpaper manager programs.

>

> For some reason, my computer has started listing all of the hundreds of

> images in the "My Pictures" folder whenever I try to select a new

> wallpaper. It seems that this tendency started after I installed SP3.

>

> I *abhore* this new way of Windows doing things. Not only that, but

> whenever I click on "Browse" to select another folder to select

> wallpaper from, the default folder location is.... "My Pictures". GAAACK!!

>

> I'm already aware of the registry hack for changing the default

> wallpaper folder; supposedly you should be able to go to

> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion,

> doubleclick on the "WallPaperDir" value and then change the path listed

> in that value.

>

> However, when I look in the registry there, the value for "WallPaperDir"

> is already %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper. I've tried changing this to other

> locations, but nothing seems to work.

>

> Can anybody tell me what's going on?

> 1. Why won't the default location change?

> 2. What event changed it in the first place?

> 3. Where is the default location really stored if not at the above

> registry value?

>

> TIA

 

Looks like I posted one that has everybody stumped, eh?

 

--

John Corliss

[Guest Ian D]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" from being listed in avail. wallpapers?

 

 

"John Corliss" <jcorliss@fake.invalid> wrote in message

news:S-SdndwgAomYWl7VnZ2dnUVZ_orinZ2d@posted.ccountrynet...

> First off, I'm running XP Home SP3. I've installed no screen saver or

> wallpaper manager programs.

>

> For some reason, my computer has started listing all of the hundreds of

> images in the "My Pictures" folder whenever I try to select a new

> wallpaper. It seems that this tendency started after I installed SP3.

>

> I *abhore* this new way of Windows doing things. Not only that, but

> whenever I click on "Browse" to select another folder to select wallpaper

> from, the default folder location is.... "My Pictures". GAAACK!!

>

> I'm already aware of the registry hack for changing the default wallpaper

> folder; supposedly you should be able to go to

> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion, doubleclick

> on the "WallPaperDir" value and then change the path listed in that value.

>

> However, when I look in the registry there, the value for "WallPaperDir"

> is already %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper. I've tried changing this to other

> locations, but nothing seems to work.

>

> Can anybody tell me what's going on?

> 1. Why won't the default location change?

> 2. What event changed it in the first place?

> 3. Where is the default location really stored if not at the above

> registry value?

>

> TIA

>

> --

> John Corliss

 

Web\Wallpaper isn't the only place the desktop will pick up

wallpaper. Any bmp files in the Windows directory will also

appear in the list. That's where I put pics for the desktop

background.

 

Also, any pictures in C:\Documents and Settings\User\

My Documents\My Pictures will appear in the list, even if they

are in subdirectories.

[Guest Ian D]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" from being listed in avail. wallpapers?

 

 

"Ian D" <taurus@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:eDGHjQVEJHA.4872@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>

> "John Corliss" <jcorliss@fake.invalid> wrote in message

> news:S-SdndwgAomYWl7VnZ2dnUVZ_orinZ2d@posted.ccountrynet...

>> First off, I'm running XP Home SP3. I've installed no screen saver or

>> wallpaper manager programs.

>>

>> For some reason, my computer has started listing all of the hundreds of

>> images in the "My Pictures" folder whenever I try to select a new

>> wallpaper. It seems that this tendency started after I installed SP3.

>>

>> I *abhore* this new way of Windows doing things. Not only that, but

>> whenever I click on "Browse" to select another folder to select wallpaper

>> from, the default folder location is.... "My Pictures". GAAACK!!

>>

>> I'm already aware of the registry hack for changing the default wallpaper

>> folder; supposedly you should be able to go to

>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion, doubleclick

>> on the "WallPaperDir" value and then change the path listed in that

>> value.

>>

>> However, when I look in the registry there, the value for "WallPaperDir"

>> is already %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper. I've tried changing this to other

>> locations, but nothing seems to work.

>>

>> Can anybody tell me what's going on?

>> 1. Why won't the default location change?

>> 2. What event changed it in the first place?

>> 3. Where is the default location really stored if not at the above

>> registry value?

>>

>> TIA

>>

>> --

>> John Corliss

>

> Web\Wallpaper isn't the only place the desktop will pick up

> wallpaper. Any bmp files in the Windows directory will also

> appear in the list. That's where I put pics for the desktop

> background.

>

> Also, any pictures in C:\Documents and Settings\User\

> My Documents\My Pictures will appear in the list, even if they

> are in subdirectories.

I forgot to add that on my system jpgs don't appear in the

desktop background list, only bmps.

[Guest Ian D]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" ... Found it

 

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" ... Found it

 

 

"John Corliss" <jcorliss@fake.invalid> wrote in message

news:S-SdndwgAomYWl7VnZ2dnUVZ_orinZ2d@posted.ccountrynet...

> First off, I'm running XP Home SP3. I've installed no screen saver or

> wallpaper manager programs.

>

> For some reason, my computer has started listing all of the hundreds of

> images in the "My Pictures" folder whenever I try to select a new

> wallpaper. It seems that this tendency started after I installed SP3.

>

> I *abhore* this new way of Windows doing things. Not only that, but

> whenever I click on "Browse" to select another folder to select wallpaper

> from, the default folder location is.... "My Pictures". GAAACK!!

>

> I'm already aware of the registry hack for changing the default wallpaper

> folder; supposedly you should be able to go to

> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion, doubleclick

> on the "WallPaperDir" value and then change the path listed in that value.

>

> However, when I look in the registry there, the value for "WallPaperDir"

> is already %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper. I've tried changing this to other

> locations, but nothing seems to work.

>

> Can anybody tell me what's going on?

> 1. Why won't the default location change?

> 2. What event changed it in the first place?

> 3. Where is the default location really stored if not at the above

> registry value?

>

> TIA

>

> --

> John Corliss

 

In the Desktop tab, click browse and set the type of files to

background files. That will set it to bmp files only.

[Guest JF]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" from being listed in avail. wallpapers?

 

*Bonjour John Corliss * !

<news:S-SdndwgAomYWl7VnZ2dnUVZ_orinZ2d@posted.ccountrynet>

> First off, I'm running XP Home SP3. I've installed no screen saver or

> wallpaper manager programs.

> For some reason, my computer has started listing all of the hundreds of

> images in the "My Pictures" folder whenever I try to select a new wallpaper.

> It seems that this tendency started after I installed SP3.

> I *abhore* this new way of Windows doing things. Not only that, but whenever

> I click on "Browse" to select another folder to select wallpaper from, the

> default folder location is.... "My Pictures". GAAACK!!

> I'm already aware of the registry hack for changing the default wallpaper

> folder; supposedly you should be able to go to

> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion, doubleclick on

> the "WallPaperDir" value and then change the path listed in that value.

> However, when I look in the registry there, the value for "WallPaperDir" is

> already %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper. I've tried changing this to other

> locations, but nothing seems to work.

> Can anybody tell me what's going on?

> 1. Why won't the default location change?

> 2. What event changed it in the first place?

> 3. Where is the default location really stored if not at the above registry

> value?

> TIA

 

144. Clear Wallpaper Most Frequently Used List

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

 

was the correct answer in same situations..

 

--

Regards, Jean-François

[Guest John Corliss]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" ... Found it

 

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" ... Found it

 

Ian D wrote:

> John Corliss wrote:

>> First off, I'm running XP Home SP3. I've installed no screen saver or

>> wallpaper manager programs.

>>

>> For some reason, my computer has started listing all of the hundreds of

>> images in the "My Pictures" folder whenever I try to select a new

>> wallpaper. It seems that this tendency started after I installed SP3.

>>

>> I *abhore* this new way of Windows doing things. Not only that, but

>> whenever I click on "Browse" to select another folder to select wallpaper

>> from, the default folder location is.... "My Pictures". GAAACK!!

>>

>> I'm already aware of the registry hack for changing the default wallpaper

>> folder; supposedly you should be able to go to

>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion, doubleclick

>> on the "WallPaperDir" value and then change the path listed in that value.

>>

>> However, when I look in the registry there, the value for "WallPaperDir"

>> is already %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper. I've tried changing this to other

>> locations, but nothing seems to work.

>>

>> Can anybody tell me what's going on?

>> 1. Why won't the default location change?

>> 2. What event changed it in the first place?

>> 3. Where is the default location really stored if not at the above

>> registry value?

>>

>> TIA

>

> In the Desktop tab, click browse and set the type of files to

> background files. That will set it to bmp files only.

 

If you mean that this is a permanent change (what I'm really looking

for) I'm afraid that didn't work for me. It still lists the hundreds of

..jpg files along with everything in the Windows folder and the

C:\windows\web\wallpaper folder. Thanks for trying though.

 

--

John Corliss

[Guest John Corliss]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" from being listed in avail. wallpapers?

 

JF wrote:

> John Corliss wrote:

>

>> First off, I'm running XP Home SP3. I've installed no screen saver or

>> wallpaper manager programs.

>

>> For some reason, my computer has started listing all of the hundreds

>> of images in the "My Pictures" folder whenever I try to select a new

>> wallpaper. It seems that this tendency started after I installed SP3.

>

>> I *abhore* this new way of Windows doing things. Not only that, but

>> whenever I click on "Browse" to select another folder to select

>> wallpaper from, the default folder location is.... "My Pictures".

>> GAAACK!!

>

>> I'm already aware of the registry hack for changing the default

>> wallpaper folder; supposedly you should be able to go to

>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion,

>> doubleclick on the "WallPaperDir" value and then change the path

>> listed in that value.

>

>> However, when I look in the registry there, the value for

>> "WallPaperDir" is already %SystemRoot%\Web\Wallpaper. I've tried

>> changing this to other locations, but nothing seems to work.

>

>> Can anybody tell me what's going on?

>> 1. Why won't the default location change?

>> 2. What event changed it in the first place?

>> 3. Where is the default location really stored if not at the above

>> registry value?

>

>> TIA

>

> 144. Clear Wallpaper Most Frequently Used List

> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

>

> was the correct answer in same situations..

 

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

 

(Later, after trying) It didn't work. Even tried it with and without

rebooting. No joy. Even worse, when I checked that Registry key after

rebooting, all of the MRUs were back. When I listed the wallpapers, same

as before.

 

Thanks for trying though.

 

--

John Corliss

[Guest Ian D]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" ... Found it

 

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" ... Found it

 

>>

>> In the Desktop tab, click browse and set the type of files to

>> background files. That will set it to bmp files only.

>

> If you mean that this is a permanent change (what I'm really looking for)

> I'm afraid that didn't work for me. It still lists the hundreds of .jpg

> files along with everything in the Windows folder and the

> C:\windows\web\wallpaper folder. Thanks for trying though.

>

> --

> John Corliss

 

That is strange. I don't think it's SP3, as I have a test copy

of XP Pro with SP3 and subsequent updates in another

partition, and there's no problem. Your problem seems to

be more of a file extension issue, rather than a file location

issue. The locations where the desktop is finding bitmap

and picture files are obviously defaults. Do you have any

apps or utilities installed that could be messing with the file

extensions?

[Guest John Corliss]

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" ... Found it

 

Re: How can I stop "My Pictures" ... Found it

 

Ian D wrote:

> John Corliss wrote:

>> Ian D wrote:

>>>

>>> In the Desktop tab, click browse and set the type of files to

>>> background files. That will set it to bmp files only.

>>

>> If you mean that this is a permanent change (what I'm really looking for)

>> I'm afraid that didn't work for me. It still lists the hundreds of .jpg

>> files along with everything in the Windows folder and the

>> C:\windows\web\wallpaper folder. Thanks for trying though.

>

> That is strange. I don't think it's SP3, as I have a test copy

> of XP Pro with SP3 and subsequent updates in another

> partition, and there's no problem. Your problem seems to

> be more of a file extension issue, rather than a file location

> issue. The locations where the desktop is finding bitmap

> and picture files are obviously defaults. Do you have any

> apps or utilities installed that could be messing with the file

> extensions?

 

Not that I can think of. And as I said in the OP, I haven't installed

any screen saver or wallpaper manager programs. Googling has shown me

that I'm not the only person who is having this problem.

 

--

John Corliss