Unable to change Windows 7 Starter wallpaper!

So to fix this, right click the Desktop folder in regedit and select Permissions. Then make sure Everybody is highlighted and check the box that says Allow Full Control. After this, you will be able to change the contents of the Wallpaper key like before. After editing them, open the Permissions again and uncheck the Full Control box so that it looks like it did before. If you don't do this, the contents of the key will be deleted when you log off/restart and you will get a black background. 

Not only that, but now Windows 7 has fixed it so you get a black screen of death. As in, you can't even load the shell. Right click does nothing, trying to call up the task manager does nothing, trying to call up the run command does *nothing*

I highly recommend making a restore point before messing around with the wallpaper. I did not, and even though I backed up my registry, I had to go back to the very basic restore point from when I got the computer. I had to go through re-installing all my programs & settings, and uninstalling that stupid McAffe.

Granted, had I perhaps been more cautious and went back and verifyed I put everything back correctly, I wouldn't be in this spot. But for those, who like me, tend to be careless and mess around with this with the half assed "Oh, I can fix it if it all goes wrong," I do hope you heed my advice.

So to fix this, right click the Desktop folder in regedit and select Permissions. Then make sure Everybody is highlighted and check the box that says Allow Full Control. After this, you will be able to change the contents of the Wallpaper key like before. After editing them, open the Permissions again and uncheck the Full Control box so that it looks like it did before. If you don't do this, the contents of the key will be deleted when you log off/restart and you will get a black background.

Of course you can change the wallpaper. You should do a "trick" and change some things in registry.

Check this:

1. Open regedit (aka registry editor; you can access it from the star menu by typing “regedit” in the search box…)
2. Go to “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\” folder and click on it
3. On the right hand side find there are a bunch of entries. Find the key named “Wallpaper” and double click on it and put the path of the picture you want as your new wallpaper (example path is “C:\Users\Bob\Pictures\new_wallpaper.jpg”)
4. Right-click on the “Desktop” folder in regedit that you found in step 2 and click Permissions.
5. Click “Advanced”
6. Go to “Owner” tab, highlight your name in the box that says ʽChange owner toʼ ( There are only two choices the other is Administrator )… once your user name is highlighted click “OK”
7. Click on “Advanced” again
8. Uncheck the button that reads “Include inheritable permissions from the objectʼs parent”… click “Remove” when prompted
9. Click “Add”
10. Type “Everyone” and click “OK”
11. Check Allow “Read Control” and click “OK”
12. Click “OK” again
13. Highlight “Everyone” and check to Allow “Read” and click “OK”
14. Restart Computer and enjoy new Wallpaper <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I did this, and it works well.  Thanks.

But what if you want to change it again?  I tried a few minutes later with a pic I decided I liked better and regedit tells me, Cannot edit Wallpaper: Error writing the value's new contents.

I.. have no idea what this means.  :( Am I stuck with a not-so-great wallpaper forever?

Of course you can change the wallpaper. You should do a "trick" and change some things in registry.

Check this:

1. Open regedit (aka registry editor; you can access it from the star menu by typing “regedit” in the search box…)
2. Go to “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\” folder and click on it
3. On the right hand side find there are a bunch of entries. Find the key named “Wallpaper” and double click on it and put the path of the picture you want as your new wallpaper (example path is “C:\Users\Bob\Pictures\new_wallpaper.jpg”)
4. Right-click on the “Desktop” folder in regedit that you found in step 2 and click Permissions.
5. Click “Advanced”
6. Go to “Owner” tab, highlight your name in the box that says ʽChange owner toʼ ( There are only two choices the other is Administrator )… once your user name is highlighted click “OK”
7. Click on “Advanced” again
8. Uncheck the button that reads “Include inheritable permissions from the objectʼs parent”… click “Remove” when prompted
9. Click “Add”
10. Type “Everyone” and click “OK”
11. Check Allow “Read Control” and click “OK”
12. Click “OK” again
13. Highlight “Everyone” and check to Allow “Read” and click “OK”
14. Restart Computer and enjoy new Wallpaper <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->