# Microsoft changed my screen background

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-changed-my-screen-background/459389>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 9, 2008, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-changed-my-screen-background/459389 "2008-08-09T09:39:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2008, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-changed-my-screen-background/459389/1 "2008-08-09T09:39:33Z")

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As soon as I clicked on a Microsoft message offering Antivirus XP 2008, and before I downloaded it, my screen background was changed to their own all blue. I had to reload my own screen image, the name of which even disappeared from the panel control.  
Why did they change it and what right do they have to change it ?

Also:  
I thought I was well protected with Ad Aware, Spybot and AVG. But when I downloaded and ran Antivirus XP, it found 1842 (!) viruses in my computer.  
How is this possible ? And how can a computer run normally with 1842 viruses in it ?

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**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2008, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-changed-my-screen-background/459389/2 "2008-08-09T09:54:37Z")

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I hate to say this but you have been had.  
[Antivirus XP](http://www.windowsvistaplace.com/xp-antivirus-2008-removal-instructions-xp-antivirus-2008/spyware-removal) is NOT a Microsoft product.  
Just the opposite, it is a Trojan.  
Instructions in the link for removal of Antivirus XP. ( Microsoft site).

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**Author:** ![SomeUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e480ec/32.png) [@SomeUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomeUserName)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2008, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-changed-my-screen-background/459389/3 "2008-08-09T10:24:58Z")

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I had the same problem a month ago. Here is the [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=473409) and the advice I got. It worked like a charm.

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**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2008, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-changed-my-screen-background/459389/4 "2008-08-09T12:21:12Z")

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Thank you **Myglaren**.

I’ve removed it immediately. :o :o and :mad:

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**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2008, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-changed-my-screen-background/459389/5 "2008-08-09T12:57:22Z")

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Now go and get [AntiSpywareMaster](http://www.xp-vista.com/spyware-removal/antispywaremaster-antispyware-master-removal-instructions) so this will never happen again! 😉