Desktop doesn't allow JPG or GIF in WinXP

message from Grahammer on 31 May 2004

Hey all!

I'm running Windows XP Pro SP1 and I'm trying to use a JPG for my desktop
background. I go into the display properties and choose my JPG file and
OPEN, but the display properties still is set to None and my choice does not
appear in the list.

Is there a reason that I cannot use JPG or GIF for my background?

Screen resolution is 32bit color at 1280x1024 and font size is at 120dpi. I
do have Microsofts virtual desktop manager installed and setting background
images there does the same thing.

Suggestions???

frodo replied to Grahammer on 31 May 2004

use explorer to nav to the folder containing the desired background image.
you MUST choose thumbnail view. then right click the image and choose
"set as desktop background". if you have common tasks turned on it'll be
in the left pane too.

[BTW, what this does is make a temp .bmp version of the file and points
the theme at it. you still won't find that image name in the display
properties list! search you disk for wallpaper*.bmp].

Archived message: Desktop doesn't allow JPG or GIF in WinXP (Microsoft XP)