How to use This Registry Fix!
Cannot change desktop wallpaper
You are unable to set your desktop wallpaper to a picture. You can access the Desktop settings in Display Properties, but the Background list is disabled. If you right-click a picture and select Set as Desktop Background, nothing happens.
This problem often occurs after a virus or spyware maliciously changes Windows security settings.
Solution
Method 1
Click to download the file dwpfix.reg
Run the file
Respond Yes to the prompt to merge the file with the registry.
Method 2
This describes how to manually perform the same actions carried out by the file downloaded above.
Click Start, Run and enter regedit
Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Policies
If folder Policies contains a folder named ActiveDesktop, select and delete it.
Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
If folder Policies contains a folder named ActiveDesktop, select and delete it.
Applies to
Microsoft Windows XP