Windows 7 Desktop Background

[kevanswerbank]

Hi, my windows 7 desktop background keeps changing to 'themes' photos when all I want is a solid colour (black). I have saved solid colour black in 'my themes' to no avail. Any ideas please.

[VHG]

Have you done a Save Theme after setting the colour?

[kevanswerbank]

Hi VHG, yep - on 'choose you desktop background'; 'Picture location:Solid colors' then 'save changes' button.

[HansUrbancka]

It could be that a 'nastie' has got into your computer and keeps altering what you wish to have as your dektop background.

Do Scans with a free Anti Virus Programme , such as MSE , and also the free edition of Malwarebytes. :-

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5201

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Hans.

[Old_Geezer]

Daft thought but you've not installed some 'picture of the day' changer running at start-up, have you.

(Not a subject I know much about so probably way off, but it isn't a live wallpaper situation is it, controlled by some website somewhere ?)

[kevanswerbank]

Thanks Hans. I am already running Norton 360 (paid version) with SUPERAnitspyware (free version) alongside, so I'm reluctant to add anything else in case of conflicts. What do you think?

[kevanswerbank]

Old_Geezer - thanks for an interesting theory - I'll dig a bit deeper and get back.

[bibblebub]

it's been a while since i last used W7 but on W8 at the bottom of the personalisation is the Desktop Background option which lets you set the wallpaper (which, i think is what you are after, not the theme which is window border colours etc.)

[HansUrbancka]

I now understand what you want, which is as indicated by bibblebub, ......Wallpaper., Not a Theme. Consequently, I have moved from my Desktop comp to Laptop which is loaded with Windows 7 and have tested matters.

Click Start > Control Panel > Personalisation > Desktop Background > (Picture location...Drop down Menu Box) > Solid Colours > Choose colour > Save Changes.

However, as I am thinking that already you have been through all the steps as listed above, I am back to thinking that perhaps a bit of malware has entered your computer.

I am able to appreciate your reluctance to try Malwarebytes for fear of causing a conflict with Norton. Such would be the case if you you installed the Premium Edition of Malwarebytes which runs in real time whereas the free edition only scans on demand.

Check to make sure that your SuperAntiSpyware is Not running in real time and therefore parallel with your Norton, because that will certainly be a conflicting 'set-up'.

Hans.

[kevanswerbank]

Thanks Hans - I'm running a Malwarebytes scan now and I have a solid colour (black) desktop background. I'll let you know tomorrow if it changes to a windows photo.

[kevanswerbank]

Hi Hans, my desktop background is a windows photo this morning, instead of the solid colour I set yesterday. This, after I followed your instructions carefully too. Thanks for trying anyway.

[HansUrbancka]

Was anything found when you did a scan with Malwarebytes.?

Did you close-down and re-start Computer/Laptop, immediately after you had set the wallpaper colour.?

Hans.

[kevanswerbank]

Yes 3 items were found and quarantined. I'll reset the solid colour now and reboot. Let's see what happens tomorrow.

[kevanswerbank]

Hi Hans, it's a windows photo again this morning. This is a difficult nut to crack don't you think?

[HansUrbancka]

I really don't know what next to suggest.

However, just to ensure that I have advised you correctly, the following is Windows official instructions :-

http://freewindowsvistatutorials.com/changeWallpaperDesktopBackgroundPictureOrSolidColor.php

There must be an answer to the problem and I am still looking for a solution.

Hans.

[kevanswerbank]

Hi Hans, I decided to abandon the black solid colour background. Some of the Windows photos are so stunning that I've decided to let them run. Anyway, thanks again for your kind efforts.