So presently thumbs.db do not exist on your computer?
And WallPaperDir is removed?

And you still can see all your pics in My Pictures in Desktop Wallpaper properties?

Please elaaborate more in future too

Kimsland, there is nothing to elaborate on. I have explained my problem a number of times in this thread right down to the tiniest detail.

I followed your instructions. It didn't work. I don't know what else i can say.

I usually spend hours on hours on something I just don't know, until I do know!

But my computer does not do this fault
But.
Yes I have seen this before, and agree that it can happen, and is presently to you.

I mentioned about Explorer.exe (editing) in one of my first threads (to the original poster) I still believe that Explorer.exe is the highest possibility.

I do not expect you to edit Explorer.exe (although I have years ago, unrelated issue)

I can only suggest to backup, and install Windows Clean (Although I wouldn't)

Or wait, and wait for another suggestion here one day (maybe from me, when I have time)

That's all.

Is that so

It's up to you to learn how to use a computer.You are posting about a very
common everyday file useage.
Did you not understand saveing my Avatar ?
If so then ask.But your makeing all the mistakes.
This isn't a Registry problem.Just basic file saveing that your complicateing.
Did you try my Avatar example ?
Take control of your computer.Put files where YOU want them
not where Windows defaults .
:rolleyes:

Kimsland thank you for trying.

Zipperman you don't seem to understand the problem. I explained the problem in depth at the beginning. I know how to use a computer and I know how to use the English language (which you seem to have a problem with). Your Avatar example is not relevant. I can save a file wherever i want. But as it happens i choose to use My Pictures.

It is obvious that you don't understand the problem. I said right at the beginning that i don't want a work around. I want to fix the issue. The registry could be key in doing this, considering you can theoretically change the default wallpaper location, using the registry. However my computer does not do this (suggesting there is in fact an issue). I have also stated that I have a laptop which is kept constantly updated as well where the issue has not arisen. The computer one day started listing all of My Pictures in my wallpapers list. So there is clearly an issue, which given a lot of searching on Google etc other people have found.

I thank everyone who has made useful comments and should anyone think or know of a solution please do post it here. But don't tell me I don't understand how to use a computer and that there isn't a problem.

Thanks

So theres no problem to post

Quoteing you :
I can save a file wherever i want. But as it happens i choose to use My Pictures.
:rolleyes:You said it and thats where their going.Whats the point.?
Read your Topic title and explain the above then.
Your contradicting yourself.
Don't reply with not (My Documents/My Pictures) too late.
I have My Pictures folder on Drive D:
:grinthumb

Zipperman I don't have a clue what you are talking about. My topic title doesn't contradict anything. As I said earlier you clearly don't understand what the problem is. Please read the topic from the beginning before commenting again.

I am just going to repeat the problem again, as it seems some people don't seem to understand.
Ok guys very simply:

1. Any photo in My Pictures is being picked up in the display properties box as a background. This is frustrating a) because of time to load display properties b) because it means that personal photos that are usually tucked away in seperate folders and sub folders are now on show c) I like to be in control of my computer d) because this is not an update to Windows XP (it has not happened on my Laptop which I keep up to date as well, nor has it happened on lots of other peoples computers).

2. The pictures have not been duplicated, nor have they been copied into the default wallpapers folder found in C:\WINDOWS\Web. For some reason every photo contained in My Pictures even those in sub folders is now automatically detected and placed in the display properties wallpaper list. It has never done this in the 5 or even 6 years I have had my computer and I update it whenever there are updates available. And considering I have searched Google and seen people with this problem posting since 2004 it is obviously not an update,

3. It is clearly an error with the system because you should be able to change the default folder that Windows gets its backgrounds from simply by going to registry entry below:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

And then changing WallPaperDir key to have a value of whatever location the folder is in.

This has made absolutely no difference, no matter what folder I set it to

4. As I said moving the photos out of My Pictures is clearly not a solution, simply a work around. If you don't know how to solve this problem, then please don't just repeat the same stuff.

Thank you for your time, but please stop suggesting I move the pictures. A real solution to FIX the problem would be nice.

I also read this **

Call it what you want.I don't have a clue either of what your asking.
After you said This.


Quoteing you : **
I can save a file wherever i want. But as it happens i choose to use My Pictures.
=================================
Where is this folder Called "My Pictures" "

I have 2 My Pictures folders.
1 in My Documents folder on the desktop.
and 1 on My D:drive partition.

I found an old thread here: http://phorums.com.au/archive/index.php/t-103913.html
That states the user "Solved it" by removing one of the pics (a thumbnail? Or smaller pic I think he meant) from My Pictures.

Note: "My Pictures" refers to "%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Pictures"

Anyway, it could be related to just one pic in there causing it
Also, do you happen to have the default Windows wallpaper pics in My Pictures?? (that might be it too)

SOLUTION

Kimsland, thank you so much. After you said that i suddenly realized that i had seen duplicate listings of the windows wallpapers in the list. So I searched through My Pictures found all of the windows desktops duplicated in one of my folders. Deleted them and instantly the list is back to normal.

I knew i wasn't crazy when i said it was a problem!

So in short the solution to this problem is:

1. Check in the My Pictures folder to see if you have any of the default windows wallpapers

2. If you have any, delete them from the My Pictures folder

3. Be happy!

The only odd thing is: That as far as i can tell, those duplicate wallpaper files in My Pictures have been there since before the problem arose. So something must have triggered it, although I have absolutely no idea what, but i am just happy that it is all sorted now!

:grinthumb :grinthumb :grinthumb



It took a while, But it's SOLVED

I hope TechSpot has helped you with you minor fault today!!!

From browsing to the folder originally

Doubt it as i never used the browse button. Anyway all is sorted now! Yippeee!

Ok by going to My Pics, and right clicking on one and setting it as Wallpaper

Actually Windows gives many different alternatives
(You don't want me to go through them all I hope?)

Solved Solved Solved

By the way, I spent 2 Hours on the above info, searching everywhere!

Edit:


Also if any external viewers, read this post, and subsequently fix the Display Properties issue (by removing the default Windows wallpapers from My Pictures) Could you at least either link to this thread, or say "Kimsland provided a fix by...
After the thousands (about ~ 10,000 + posts I've made acrosss the web) That would be nice, for the first recognition ever.

Solved!

There is a nice Workaround for this issue.

I have included three files in the .ZIP:
README.txt
DISABLE_My_Pictures_In_Wallpaper_List.reg
ENABLE_My_Pictures_In_Wallpaper_List.reg

== MIRRORS ==
http://rapidshare.com/files/157190200/MyPicturesInWallpaperListFix.zip.html
http://w13.easy-share.com/1702146848.html
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=26R2DS6X
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=2080325a28781d23d2db6fb9a8902bda
http://www.filefactory.com/file/b80986/n/MyPicturesInWallpaperListFix_zip
http://www.1filesharing.com/download/0P9UIHZF/
http://www.filedropper.com/mypicturesinwallpaperlistfix
http://www.fileshost.com/en/file/66230/MyPicturesInWallpaperListFix-zip.html
http://www.youshare.com/Guest/b9d3adcead611204.zip.html

Thanks TiMeBoMb

Although haven't tested yet
But I have looked at the Reg files themselves and they look correct

Is this just Xp?
Did you create these yourself? As I cannot find where this info originated from

And I'll test it, before you reply back

I found a forum where a user was explaining the registry location in which "Display Properties" calls for the "My Pictures" location. I figured that if this call pointed to an invalid location, it wouldn't be able to retrieve the "My Pictures" listing. So, I tested my theory. Once successfully tested, I created the two .REG files, and the README.txt file, for clarification.

I've only tested this on Windows XP Professional, but I would assume that it would work on all versions of Windows XP. I have had NO problems with this "fix", so far. If I run into any, I'll try to post them here.

My real question would be... I've been using Windows XP, since its Beta releases, and until recently, I've never seen the "My Pictures" files show up in the Wallpaper listing. The "My Pictures" files, within a standard Windows XP installation, DO NOT typically show in the Wallpaper listing. Why is it happening to some of us, and what is the REAL fix for this?

In EVERY forum I've ever read, no one really seems to be able to answer the above question. So, until we have the REAL fix, I hope my .REG files will positively spread across the Internet helping people solve this odd issue!



Thanks!

TiMeBoMb