Windows XP Desktop Background Issues

from WinCustomize Forums
A few months ago my background disappeared and was replaced by a blue screen, when I go to the desktop properties/desktop, I am greeted with the normal menu but all the backgrounds are greyed out and the only option I can change is the colour.

If I shut down explorer, my background is still there but whilst explorer is loaded I have this blue background overlapping it.

On the advice of another forum I have tried installing this registry edit http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm (Line 142 Right side) "Allow Wallpaper/Background Changes" But it had no effect.

Does anyone know how I can fix this?
15,352 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Make sure you dont have active desktop enabled...in Display Properties > Desktop > Customize > Web
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks for the help, but this appears to have no effect either.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
could be one character off in the reg somewhere XP is dodgy about the little things.. theres been many a time ive donea repair or a format because of some unknown annoyance like this.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, thanks for the help, guys, but I think I'll just have to live with no background.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Try this:

Download and save Cleandesktop to your computer: WWW Link

Double click on the cleandesktop.exe

It will automatically extract to c:\desktopclean where it needs to be to run and will automatically run the cleandesktop.vbs script

If it doesn't open then go to c:\desktopclean and double click on the cleandesktop.vbs.

If you have script blocking enabled you will get a warning about a malicious script wanting to run. Allow this script to run. It is not malicious.

If you get a message when you first run it "Can not find script file *.*" just double click the cleandesktop.vbs script again.

It will then kill Explorer. You will lose your taskbar and desktop. It will repair the registry entries returning your normal desktop and context menu functions.

It will restart Explorer.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
After seeing nothing but a blue background for 3 months I am extremely happy to see a desktop wallpaper.
Thank you very much, yrag.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I tried the download as did Acerbity above but I did not meet with the sames success.  The background choices on the desktop menu are still greyed out.  Any other help are advice would be wonderful.

Thanks,

screens09