Unable to change Windows 7 Starter wallpaper!

I can't believe how upset I was about not being able to change the wallpaper on my netbook. I guess we have become accustomed to personalizing our technology.  An Internet search will reveal that many Windows 7 Starter users are upset about the wallpaper issue. For a few months I debated about downloading one of the free programs on the Web and was nervous about doing this. Last night I took the plunge and downloaded this StarterWallpaperChanger program:

 http://cid-e2e0fbb97504d64e.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/Starter%20Wallpaper%20Changer.exe

I did first check the download site via McAfee's Site Advisor, but you probably want to check it again for yourself before you do this -- or any other -- download. My netbook is fine (I was worried about the .exe extension), and I now have a beautiful photo as my desktop background. This program uses only 40KB. There are a couple good instructional videos on YouTube for how to install this program. I took their advice and installed the program icon on my desktop. When you change your desktop background, don't forget that you have to log off and back on again before the change takes effect. 

Whoever these anonymous programmers are, I am grateful to them and hope that their generosity comes back to them manyfold!

It's not like MS made mistakes here. They are intentionally trying to ruin the netbook experience. They've succeeded wonderfully.

 Notice that you have to change your resolution to be able tohit  the apply button many times. Think that was an accident? They say they optimized it for netbooks so that means they knew of that problem. They purposely left it in to be annoying. They hate netbooks and want to ruin the experience, I know this firsthand from an MS employee. I don't know what their endgame is but anyone who thinks MS made "mistakes" in the netbook arena needs to get their head out of the sand. 7 is a huge step backwards over XP and this was 100% intentional. It's not like Bill Gates is stupid, he just doesn't care that he ruined the greatest platform for computing I've come across. Maybe he needs more cash for laptops in African villages. I'll bet the Nigerians have a better OS.

Microsoft disabled this feature because they want you to upgrade.  However there are many free ways to change your wallpaper and customize your Windows 7 Starter Edition.  Support Engineers are under obligation to tell you that you are not allowed to do certain things or that you simply can't do certain things, but they are simply not correct.  You are allowed to use add-ons and 3rd party software all you want to change Windows 7 Starter Edition, and you most certainly CAN.

Here are some options that work well:

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16041/change-the-wallpaper-and-customization-settings-in-windows-7-starter-edition/

See the above link for instructions to use: StarterBackgroundChanger_V08.exe

There are other programs, too (like Oceanis).  With a little google searching you can get what you need to do the job, without spending more money on uprades.  Nothing wrong with upgrading, per se, but if you are happy with Starter aside from the lack of customization features, then there are other options available.  In the not to far future Microsoft will have to come up with a better strategy for making their zillions, since most software is going to the Cloud and each PC type gadget is simply going to access it there.  With Iphones, Androids, Smartphones heading for Cloud computing, the approach that each PC is going to have to have a personal copy of a piece of software from Microsoft (or any other company) is doomed. 

Yup...

You cant install screensavers and wallpapers on starter windows 7