Unable to change Windows 7 Starter wallpaper!

Hey careydw,

I think you’re about to shoot the messenger! I’m probably putting my head on the block here but ... aren’t you being a tad harsh on him? The person you refer to works for Microsoft and he’s towing the party line. He has no choice. We’ve all been down that route (at least those of us who work for others). Even Michelangelo had to please the Pope (sorry folks, I heard that once in a movie and I’ve been dying to use it ever since!) :-D

Anyhow, for what it's worth, just to add to this debate there’s a very interesting alternative argument for the “crippled” Windows Starter topic somewhere in this forum. (Credit to the writer. I can no longer find it but I did copy and paste at the time).

It goes like this:

This is a limitation of Starter edition because of Microsoft's contracts with cell phone companies like AT&T.  AT&T wants to be able to force you to have their own wallpaper (AT&T logo) if you purchase a "netbook" running Windows 7 Starter from them as part of a service agreement (internet usage contract).

Microsoft set this limitation for AT&T.  Even if you purchase a computer with Starter without a contract from AT&T or someone, the block is still in place (if they didn't put the block in place, someone would figure out how to get around the rest, thus Microsoft would lose AT&T's contract).

That's the world we live in.

It’s an interesting notion – and if indeed Microsoft was cornered - I would think that admitting it (with a smattering of “so, we got bullied into a corner” self-deprecation) would be in order, especially in the light of the passions raised here and elsewhere. Obviously no kiss-and-tell allowed but, hey, it might even win Microsoft a few points. Could be fun too!

I am neither pro- nor anti-Microsoft. Like everyone else I use the products because I have to (if I want to survive). I happen to love them. At the end of the day, does it really matter if you can’t change the wallpaper; especially when there are easy workarounds (well documented both in this post and others of the same ilk).

All the best,

Sharon

Sharon Roffey

Queensland, Australia

There is no way to change the background in Windows 7 Starter Edition.  The image is locked to the BetaFish, locked by a hash and refered to in Shell32.dll so there's no way around it.

Starter edition is mainly for emerging markets, and North America / Europe customers cannot even buy it if they wanted to.

Home Premium is suggested if you want the additional flexibility of changing the screen background (and a bunch of other functions that are not available in Starter).

Chris.H

You, sir, are a ******. Here you have a legitimate customer complaint and you respond by simply restating his complaint as a reason to shell out a bunch of money. If you want happy customers then you give them what they want or at least explain the reasons why you make a decision like this instead of looking like greedy ******. This is one of the biggest reasons people don't like Microsoft.

Everyone else,

There are hacks to change your background, but my advise is to dual boot Ubuntu Netbook Remix, which is a 100% free alternative operating system that has many more features than Windows 7 Starter, and uses less system resources (meaning your computer runs better), and is much more secure than Windows. Unfortunately it does not run all the software that Windows can which is why you shouldn't completely ditch Windows, but, especially for a netbook, Ubuntu is WAY better.

For examples for why ubuntu is better: You can change your background very easily, Installing new program is as easy as opening a program and searching through thousands of free programs, You can try out any version from a live CD or USB drive meaning you can run it one your computer without installing it, new versions are always free, And unlike what most people think, it is every easy to use, and you do not have to know how to use a command line.

ohh f-ing ____ i've done eveything 10 times!!! i'm getting angry!! >.< it's not fair i might just be 15 but i'm a cimouter nerd ( thanks to my father)i know what your taking about and ive cheacked over!!! but it's just coming up as black screen =( this is hopeless