Registry tweak maybe ? 2

[kwunder]

Is there a way within W98 to add a "Use as desktop wallpaper" option to the right click context menu of an image file?

Cheers
kwunder

 

[Mosaic1]

I take it you mean without opening the file itself. I don't think so. Maybe someone else knows of a way.

 

[kwunder]

Yep. I'm kind of untidy and have image files in various locations. It's a bit of a pain to have to trawl through the display properties box to get the image up. (BONE IDLE OR WHAT !)

kwunder

 

[Mosaic1]

In that case, here's something you might like. Get those Images and put them in one file. That will become the file which display properties will look at when it make the Wallpaper list. Would you be interested in that tweak?
If so here it is:
Open the registry and Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Look in the right pane for this String Value

WallPaperDir
Double click on it and Modify to reflect the path to the Folder you've created with the images you want to use.

 

[butchrecon]

Let me see if I get this right. You have pic files you want to use as walpaper correct? If so make sure they are in bitmap style and put them in the C:\Windows folder. Here they should show up in the background properties so you can use them. Let me know if this was what you were getting at. James Collins
Field Service Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.

 

[Mosaic1]

That's another choice. However, I wouldn't like to clutter my Windows Folder with all those Graphics. Just my personal preference.

 

[kwunder]

The idea was to simply be able to click on an image ANYWHERE on the HD, and get an option to "Set As Desktop Wallpaper"

Thanks
kwunder

 

[butchrecon]

I think that me be a programming change. I could be wrong but I do not of any registry ket to allow that. Mosaic1's answer along with my original suggestion are about your only choices. If someone knows how to do this without programming I would like to know as well. James Collins
Field Service Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.

 

[reghakr]

kwunder,

I don't think it's possible. The main files involved are runddl32.exe, shdoc401.dll, and desk.cpl.
================================================
These keys are changed in the registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

=================================================
Here's what changes take place in the win.ini file;
Just an example.

CHANGES MADE TO C:\WINDOWS\WIN.INI...
KEYS CHANGED IN C:\WINDOWS\WIN.INI: (5)
[Desktop]WallpaperStyle=0 to 2


REGISTRY KEY VALUES CHANGED: (194)
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop
Value "WallpaperStyle": from "0" to "2"

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General
Value "WallpaperStyle": from "0" to "2"

reghakr

 

[reghakr]

Changes also take place here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General

reghakr

 

[Mosaic1]

One addition and it would be a few steps but feasible. Make a folder as memtioned above. When you see something you like, put it in there. Step Two, create a shortcut in your sendto Folder to that location. That's all in preparation. That's about all I can think of for you.

Mosaic1

 

[kwunder]

If I create a defined folder just for images, then add the location to the Send To menu, then that will place any images I want into that folder. Then can I :-

a) Create a cascading list of that folders contents on the start menu ?

b) from that cascading list, if I right click on any of the list, have a Set As Wallpaper option, as you do in IE.

Thanks Mosaic1 & Reghakr

kwunder

 

[Mosaic1]

No. You cannot add set as wallpaper. That's a complex Programming question.
Here's what I'd do if I wanted to change the Wallpaper frequently.
Create the folder and make a shortcut to it in Sendto.
Perform the reghack and make that Folder show its contents in Display Properties.
Here's the hack again.
Open the registry and Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Look in the right pane for this String Value

WallPaperDir
Double click on it and Modify to reflect the path to the Folder you've created with the images you want to use.


Now you have a way to send images to the folder and now they'll be listed in Display Porperties.

Here's an addition for you. Create a new shortcut
Copy this into the Command Line:

C:\WINDOWS\CONTROL.EXE desk.cpl,,0

Name it Wallpaper
That's a shortcut to the Background Page in Display Properties.
Now make a keyboard shortcut to it. Right click on it and choose Properties. Look at the form. See shortcut.none?
Click you mouse there tomark it. Choose a shortcut key.

Nextr time you see something on your hard drive you want to use as wallpaper, right click on it and sendto the folder.
Do you keyboard shortcut to get the Wallpaper page. Go down the list to find the BMP and now set it as wallpaper.
this doesn't sound any quicker than opening the graphic a d setting it as wallpaper. It isn't. Unless you actually cahnge your Wallpaper frequently and want to have the list in Display Properties.

You can put the Folder on the start menu and create a cascading menu if you want to review its contents quickly. but you still cannot add Set as Wallpaper menu choice.

 

[kwunder]

Mosaic1,
You're right. The send to bit is going to be the best option as you say. One final question though, I'm sure I was advised once on how to extend the options beyond just .bmp images. I think it was VB script but I've lost it somehow.

Any ideas?

Thanks Mosaic1,
kwunder

 

[Mosaic1]

One way is to allow other images is to enable the Active Desktop.

 

[SniffingGeneral]

or use LiteStep and one of the wallpaper switching modules, (I use lswchange.dll).