# Annoying Windows problem (backgrounds and desktop images)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-windows-problem-backgrounds-and-desktop-images/207268>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 13, 2003, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-windows-problem-backgrounds-and-desktop-images/207268 "2003-10-13T21:59:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![RickQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@RickQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickQ)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2003, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-windows-problem-backgrounds-and-desktop-images/207268/1 "2003-10-13T21:59:57Z")

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I am having a problem in Windows 2000. I recently experimented with a number of different background for my desktop. I decided to revert to the one I originally had, but now when I lock my PC or when it is shutting down or booting up one of the other background images is displayed.

I think it is called the splash screen, but I don’t know.

Does anyone know how to change it back? I have tried looking in the help files and on Msofts own website but I have had no look.

Rick

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**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2003, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-windows-problem-backgrounds-and-desktop-images/207268/2 "2003-10-13T22:09:21Z")

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Does it show the old one while loading, and then switch to the one you chose?

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**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2003, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-windows-problem-backgrounds-and-desktop-images/207268/3 "2003-10-13T23:42:02Z")

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This is probably because Active Desktop is turned on. You can turn it off by right-clicking the desktop, going to **Active Desktop** and unchecking **Show Web Content**.

It will try to turn Active Desktop back on if you select a .jpg as your background. Save the image as a .bmp to avoid this problem.

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**Author:** ![RickQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@RickQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickQ)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2003, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-windows-problem-backgrounds-and-desktop-images/207268/4 "2003-10-13T23:42:10Z")

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It shows the one I decided not to use (I applied it to the background and then changed my mind) while loading and then when loaded, reverts to my desktop.