Unable to change Windows 7 Starter wallpaper!

Anonymous
2009-12-25T02:35:37+00:00

original title: Windows 7 Starter wallpaper!

Seriously!?!?!?!? You can't change the background wallpaper on Windows 7 starter!? Of course I understand that this version of Windows is meant to be very light on features for running smoothly on netbooks...but F-ing wallpapers? Microsoft does remember that they are still writing computer operating systems right? My dinosaur, Nokia cell phone from like 5 years ago let you change the wallpapers.  They left the gadget feature but not wallpaper!?!? This really proves to me that Microsoft has absolutely no clue what they are doing.  Windows 7 comes on just about every netbook now as of this current holiday season.  So here is my question...Why would anyone want a windows 7 netbook when XP (the operating system before the one before windows 7) had more features than it does? Apple is looking better and better. I didn't even get a netbook for christmas, and even though I really wanted one, i'm very glad I didn't. I'm not going to get one at all now if its got windows 7 on it.  I'll wait for that Apple tablet and that's it.  What do you say Microsoft?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2009-12-30T19:20:26+00:00

Hello socratesman,

Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Answers Community.

In Windows 7 Starter you are not allowed to change the desktop background. You cannot even replace the default image with another one because the system compares the file hash of your desired background with the file hash of the default wallpaper.

You have to upgrade to a more complete version of Windows 7:

Why can't I change my desktop background?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-cant-I-change-my-desktop-background

Hope this helps

Chris.H

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-03-14T02:14:18+00:00

    thanks so much!

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-03-13T23:48:53+00:00

    Hi LizardWings,

    If it's only the wallpaper change that bugs you there is no need to upgrade. If you follow this link you can download Oceanis. You will then be able to change the desktop background, it also provides for a desktop slideshow (shuffle) in Windows 7 Starter. It's safe and it's free:

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47294-desktop-background-change-windows-7-starter.html

    Best,

    Sharon

    Sharon Roffey

    Queensland, Australia

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-03-13T19:23:22+00:00

    I think it is a scam to cause people to pay to upgrade.  What is the first thing someone does when they get a new computer? change the wallpaper.  If they can't they will think, well if I can't do something this simple, I won't be able to do anything. I'll upgrade.  It was a rather clever scheme.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-03-13T19:04:20+00:00

    i it worked to remove the default wallpaper but replaced it with plain black rather than the image i chose.

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