# Why would the ability to change wallpaper (computer type) be blocked?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-ability-to-change-wallpaper-computer-type-be-blocked/284632>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 14, 2005, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-ability-to-change-wallpaper-computer-type-be-blocked/284632 "2005-01-14T00:52:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-ability-to-change-wallpaper-computer-type-be-blocked/284632/21 "2005-01-15T04:50:44Z")

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> [@AHunter3](#):
>
> Just erase the hard drive and reinstall the OS, man. End of problem.

…but I like my job!

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**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-ability-to-change-wallpaper-computer-type-be-blocked/284632/22 "2005-01-15T05:02:16Z")

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FTR, [here’s](http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-1/584173/WALL.JPG) the image I’m currently using as my wallpaper at home.

Nothing blinks, flashes, or in any other does anything other than sit there.

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**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-ability-to-change-wallpaper-computer-type-be-blocked/284632/23 "2005-01-15T05:02:37Z")

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So, here’s what I don’t get. On my work PC, the tab in display properties that let me choose my wallpaper is disabled.

Yet if I firefox to a picture, and right click on it, and say “set as wallpaper” then presto! I have a new wallpaper.

What’s the point of disabling the option tab if you can’t lock down the registry settings that actually control what wallpaper you see?

-lv

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-ability-to-change-wallpaper-computer-type-be-blocked/284632/24 "2005-01-15T23:47:40Z")

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> [@LordVor](#):
>
> What’s the point of disabling the option tab if you can’t lock down the registry settings that actually control what wallpaper you see?
> 
> -lv

The only two ways I can find to do it with Group Policy is controlling access to the control panel settings. There is a way to define the selections available for the desktop, and a setting to not let the user change wallpaper.

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**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-ability-to-change-wallpaper-computer-type-be-blocked/284632/25 "2005-01-16T16:28:04Z")

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Well, you can directly apply permissions to the registry key too.

But to go back to the OP, another reason why this restriction can be put in place is corporate branding: your Desktop may well be branded with the corporate logo, or serve as a security reminder. This can have its downsides, but that’s another story.

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