Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

[Guest JimTheAverage]

When I right click on my XP Pro SP2 desktop and select Properties>Desktop

the Background listbox doesn't just list the files in

%SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. It lists those plus every bmp file in the My

Pictures folder and sub folders.

 

I searched the registry for "wallpaper" and found that

HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion's WallpaperDir setting was in

fact set to %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. So I dno't get where the other

files are coming from.

 

The problem here is that this is a new build and I haven't even started to

put in my THOUSANDS of images into My Pictures yet. When I do, if this

behavior persists, it will most likely freeze my Display properties dialog

and make picking out wallpaper form the thousands of images that I have

quite messy if not downright impossible.

 

Has anyone seen this behaviour in XP or know of a fix for it?

 

Thanks!

 

jim

[Guest Alan Edwards]

Re: Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

 

{crossposting reduced}

 

I have come across it and have this snippet on file:

 

The places wallpaper can be.

 

BMP Files from C:\WINDOWS

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

C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper

C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application

Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer

 

C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My Documents\My Pictures

(+subfolders)

 

C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes (+subfolders)

 

I have the first 3 showing but files in My Pictures do not show and I

believe they will stop showing in yours after you get 100 image files

in My Pictures.

 

....Alan

--

Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer

http://dts-l.com/index.htm

 

 

 

 

On Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:04:19 -0500, in

microsoft.public.windowsxp.general, "JimTheAverage" <jim@home.net>

wrote:

>When I right click on my XP Pro SP2 desktop and select Properties>Desktop

>the Background listbox doesn't just list the files in

>%SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. It lists those plus every bmp file in the My

>Pictures folder and sub folders.

>

>I searched the registry for "wallpaper" and found that

>HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion's WallpaperDir setting was in

>fact set to %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. So I dno't get where the other

>files are coming from.

>

>The problem here is that this is a new build and I haven't even started to

>put in my THOUSANDS of images into My Pictures yet. When I do, if this

>behavior persists, it will most likely freeze my Display properties dialog

>and make picking out wallpaper form the thousands of images that I have

>quite messy if not downright impossible.

>

>Has anyone seen this behaviour in XP or know of a fix for it?

>

>Thanks!

>

>jim

>

[Guest JimTheAverage]

Re: Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

 

Thanks Alan! Who knew about the change in behaviour at 100 images?

 

But, as for reducing cross-posting, that also reduces the number of people

that see the solution.

 

Cross-posting is NOT a bad thing. In fact, it saves system resources (one

messaage with pointers from othe NGs saves space and bandwidth).

Multi-posting is bad (as it consumes resources by sending the same message

to multiple groups on every mail server).

 

Thanks again.

 

(cross-posting resumed)

 

"Alan Edwards" <edwards@southcom.com.au> wrote in message

news:fnf2p3pvg9dfagpkebf4ejo4k6cu3e6h6j@4ax.com...

> {crossposting reduced}

>

> I have come across it and have this snippet on file:

>

> The places wallpaper can be.

>

> BMP Files from C:\WINDOWS

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

> C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper

> C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application

> Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer

>

> C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My Documents\My Pictures

> (+subfolders)

>

> C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes (+subfolders)

>

> I have the first 3 showing but files in My Pictures do not show and I

> believe they will stop showing in yours after you get 100 image files

> in My Pictures.

>

> ...Alan

> --

> Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer

> http://dts-l.com/index.htm

>

>

>

>

> On Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:04:19 -0500, in

> microsoft.public.windowsxp.general, "JimTheAverage" <jim@home.net>

> wrote:

>

>>When I right click on my XP Pro SP2 desktop and select Properties>Desktop

>>the Background listbox doesn't just list the files in

>>%SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. It lists those plus every bmp file in the My

>>Pictures folder and sub folders.

>>

>>I searched the registry for "wallpaper" and found that

>>HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion's WallpaperDir setting was

>>in

>>fact set to %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. So I dno't get where the other

>>files are coming from.

>>

>>The problem here is that this is a new build and I haven't even started to

>>put in my THOUSANDS of images into My Pictures yet. When I do, if this

>>behavior persists, it will most likely freeze my Display properties dialog

>>and make picking out wallpaper form the thousands of images that I have

>>quite messy if not downright impossible.

>>

>>Has anyone seen this behaviour in XP or know of a fix for it?

>>

>>Thanks!

>>

>>jim

[Guest Pennywise@DerryMaine.Gov]

Re: Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

 

"JimTheAverage" <jim@home.net> wrote:

>When I right click on my XP Pro SP2 desktop and select Properties>Desktop

>the Background listbox doesn't just list the files in

>%SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. It lists those plus every bmp file in the My

>Pictures folder and sub folders.

>

>I searched the registry for "wallpaper" and found that

>HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion's WallpaperDir setting was in

>fact set to %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. So I dno't get where the other

>files are coming from.

 

You can use Process Monitor and see

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

 

Just be sure to use the filters, start the capture, click into the

Background listbox - stop the capture and view the paths.

--

 

http://imager.cc/page5/stumbleupon/

[Guest Claymore]

Re: Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

 

On Jan 18, 5:04 pm, "JimTheAverage" <j...@home.net> wrote:

> When I right click on my XP Pro SP2 desktop and select Properties>Desktop

> the Background listbox doesn't just list the files in

> %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper.  It lists those plus every bmp file in the My

> Pictures folder and sub folders.

>

> I searched the registry for "wallpaper" and found that

> HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion's WallpaperDir setting was in

> fact set to %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper.  So I dno't get where the other

> files are coming from.

>

> The problem here is that this is a new build and I haven't even started to

> put in my THOUSANDS of images into My Pictures yet.  When I do, if this

> behavior persists, it will most likely freeze my Display properties dialog

> and make picking out wallpaper form the thousands of images that I have

> quite messy if not downright impossible.

>

> Has anyone seen this behaviour in XP or know of a fix for it?

>

> Thanks!

>

> jim

 

The only way that I know of to stop this annoyance is first, never

select a picture from your default 'My Pictures' folder, and if you

already have, create another folder, say "Pictures", and move all your

photos there. The 'My Pictures' folder is set as a system folder,

really only to allow software writers to use it as a default storage

folder for images.

[Guest Alan Edwards]

Re: Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

 

I found a response by Sharon F that mentioned the 100 images.

 

I agree on multi-posting but I personally dislike crossposting where:

1. I do not subscribe to the groups

(microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize)

2. The groups are not on the MS server (24hoursupport.helpdesk)

3. I consider them inappropriate

(microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support is for posts about

Start-Help and Support)

 

As a general rule, I just chop them back if more than 2.

 

FWIW, this response by the remarkable Kelly may be of interest:

--quote

TweakUI for XP: Unchecking "Lock Web Content" under Explorer to be

added to desktop disables the pictures from being listed.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

---end quote

 

....Alan

--

Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer

http://dts-l.com/index.htm

 

 

 

On Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:57:39 -0500, in

microsoft.public.windowsxp.general, "JimTheAverage" <jim@home.net>

wrote:

>Thanks Alan! Who knew about the change in behaviour at 100 images?

>

>But, as for reducing cross-posting, that also reduces the number of people

>that see the solution.

>

>Cross-posting is NOT a bad thing. In fact, it saves system resources (one

>messaage with pointers from othe NGs saves space and bandwidth).

>Multi-posting is bad (as it consumes resources by sending the same message

>to multiple groups on every mail server).

>

>Thanks again.

>

>(cross-posting resumed)

>

>"Alan Edwards" <edwards@southcom.com.au> wrote in message

>news:fnf2p3pvg9dfagpkebf4ejo4k6cu3e6h6j@4ax.com...

>> {crossposting reduced}

>>

>> I have come across it and have this snippet on file:

>>

>> The places wallpaper can be.

>>

>> BMP Files from C:\WINDOWS

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

>> C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper

>> C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application

>> Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer

>>

>> C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My Documents\My Pictures

>> (+subfolders)

>>

>> C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes (+subfolders)

>>

>> I have the first 3 showing but files in My Pictures do not show and I

>> believe they will stop showing in yours after you get 100 image files

>> in My Pictures.

>>

>> ...Alan

>> --

>> Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer

>> http://dts-l.com/index.htm

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> On Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:04:19 -0500, in

>> microsoft.public.windowsxp.general, "JimTheAverage" <jim@home.net>

>> wrote:

>>

>>>When I right click on my XP Pro SP2 desktop and select Properties>Desktop

>>>the Background listbox doesn't just list the files in

>>>%SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. It lists those plus every bmp file in the My

>>>Pictures folder and sub folders.

>>>

>>>I searched the registry for "wallpaper" and found that

>>>HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion's WallpaperDir setting was

>>>in

>>>fact set to %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. So I dno't get where the other

>>>files are coming from.

>>>

>>>The problem here is that this is a new build and I haven't even started to

>>>put in my THOUSANDS of images into My Pictures yet. When I do, if this

>>>behavior persists, it will most likely freeze my Display properties dialog

>>>and make picking out wallpaper form the thousands of images that I have

>>>quite messy if not downright impossible.

>>>

>>>Has anyone seen this behaviour in XP or know of a fix for it?

>>>

>>>Thanks!

>>>

>>>jim

>

[Guest Pennywise@DerryMaine.Gov]

Re: Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

 

Claymore <claymore@ontera.net> wrote:

>The 'My Pictures' folder is set as a system folder,

>really only to allow software writers to use it as a default storage

>folder for images.

 

The folder is required for the Windows Logo; To allow all programs a

place to store images.

--

 

http://imager.cc/page5/stumbleupon/

[Guest JimTheAverage]

Re: Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

 

<Pennywise@DerryMaine.Gov> wrote in message

news:7bl2p3d14icsiib3kbtpknpp9slsgo6mjj@4ax.com...

> Claymore <claymore@ontera.net> wrote:

>

>>The 'My Pictures' folder is set as a system folder,

>>really only to allow software writers to use it as a default storage

>>folder for images.

>

> The folder is required for the Windows Logo; To allow all programs a

> place to store images.

> --

>

> http://imager.cc/page5/stumbleupon/

 

The solution was posted by Alan - but he freaked about cross-posting and

only replied to a single group. I postedit above, but will do so here for

anybody else that may be vexxed with this situation.

 

The solution it seems is to place more than 100 images in your My Pictures

folder. They can all be in the My Pictures folder or scattered among sub

folders of My Pictures....just so you have more than 100 pictures under the

My Pictures folder.

 

Then, at least on my system, the listbox correctly shows only those images

in the %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper folder.

 

Thanks again Alan.

 

jim

[Guest JJ206]

Re: Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

 

JimTheAverage wrote:

> When I right click on my XP Pro SP2 desktop and select Properties>Desktop

> the Background listbox doesn't just list the files in

> %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. It lists those plus every bmp file in the My

> Pictures folder and sub folders.

>

> I searched the registry for "wallpaper" and found that

> HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion's WallpaperDir setting was in

> fact set to %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. So I dno't get where the other

> files are coming from.

>

> The problem here is that this is a new build and I haven't even started to

> put in my THOUSANDS of images into My Pictures yet. When I do, if this

> behavior persists, it will most likely freeze my Display properties dialog

> and make picking out wallpaper form the thousands of images that I have

> quite messy if not downright impossible.

>

> Has anyone seen this behaviour in XP or know of a fix for it?

>

> Thanks!

>

> jim

>

>

 

I have the same OS and I don't see that in my bmp list. So something is

awol. How many bmp files do you have ? I converted over to jpg long ago

and just convert a few jpgs to bmp if I like them enough to make them

the wallpaper.

 

good luck,

 

geothermal

[Guest JimTheAverage]

Re: Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

 

 

"JJ206" <jj206@remooooooooooooooovethisdrizzle.com> wrote in message

news:1200707918.892582@bubbleator.drizzle.com...

> JimTheAverage wrote:

>> When I right click on my XP Pro SP2 desktop and select Properties>Desktop

>> the Background listbox doesn't just list the files in

>> %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. It lists those plus every bmp file in the My

>> Pictures folder and sub folders.

>>

>> I searched the registry for "wallpaper" and found that

>> HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion's WallpaperDir setting was

>> in fact set to %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. So I dno't get where the

>> other files are coming from.

>>

>> The problem here is that this is a new build and I haven't even started

>> to put in my THOUSANDS of images into My Pictures yet. When I do, if

>> this behavior persists, it will most likely freeze my Display properties

>> dialog and make picking out wallpaper form the thousands of images that I

>> have quite messy if not downright impossible.

>>

>> Has anyone seen this behaviour in XP or know of a fix for it?

>>

>> Thanks!

>>

>> jim

>

> I have the same OS and I don't see that in my bmp list. So something is

> awol. How many bmp files do you have ? I converted over to jpg long ago

> and just convert a few jpgs to bmp if I like them enough to make them the

> wallpaper.

>

> good luck,

>

> geothermal

 

I had less than 20 bmp images but I had them in the

%SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper and My Pictures - so they showed in the list

twice.

 

Evidentally XP is hard coded to work this way until you have >100 images in

My Pictures - at which point it only looks in your

%SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper directory for wallpapers to list.

 

Adding more images (>100) to my My Pictures folder stopped this behaviour.

 

jim

[Guest Iqbal Shahid]

Re: Desktop Background Listbox problem.....

 

Windows XP SP2

Display Properties\Desktop pools images from My Pictures. Even when the

number of images > 100.

 

The solution on the internet is to stop using My Pictures folder, which is

obviously not the best solution.

 

Anyone know how to stop windows from pooling pictures out of that folder?

 

"JimTheAverage" wrote:

>

> "JJ206" <jj206@remooooooooooooooovethisdrizzle.com> wrote in message

> news:1200707918.892582@bubbleator.drizzle.com...

> > JimTheAverage wrote:

> >> When I right click on my XP Pro SP2 desktop and select Properties>Desktop

> >> the Background listbox doesn't just list the files in

> >> %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. It lists those plus every bmp file in the My

> >> Pictures folder and sub folders.

> >>

> >> I searched the registry for "wallpaper" and found that

> >> HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion's WallpaperDir setting was

> >> in fact set to %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper. So I dno't get where the

> >> other files are coming from.

> >>

> >> The problem here is that this is a new build and I haven't even started

> >> to put in my THOUSANDS of images into My Pictures yet. When I do, if

> >> this behavior persists, it will most likely freeze my Display properties

> >> dialog and make picking out wallpaper form the thousands of images that I

> >> have quite messy if not downright impossible.

> >>

> >> Has anyone seen this behaviour in XP or know of a fix for it?

> >>

> >> Thanks!

> >>

> >> jim

> >

> > I have the same OS and I don't see that in my bmp list. So something is

> > awol. How many bmp files do you have ? I converted over to jpg long ago

> > and just convert a few jpgs to bmp if I like them enough to make them the

> > wallpaper.

> >

> > good luck,

> >

> > geothermal

>

> I had less than 20 bmp images but I had them in the

> %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper and My Pictures - so they showed in the list

> twice.

>

> Evidentally XP is hard coded to work this way until you have >100 images in

> My Pictures - at which point it only looks in your

> %SystemRoot%/Web/Wallpaper directory for wallpapers to list.

>

> Adding more images (>100) to my My Pictures folder stopped this behaviour.

>

> jim

>

>

>