Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

How to change desktop wallpaper without having Admin rights?

by Battle Axe Dec 1, 2006 1:35PM PST

At my office, I don't have Administrator rights on my computer which is connected to a LAN. As a result I can't change my Desktop wallpaper/ Background through the normal technique of Right Click-->Properties-->Desktop or even through the Control Panel because everything is greyed out. The desktop Wallpaper & Background is set by the LAN administrator. I would like to know if there's any possible way I can change this situation. Remember that I can't change permanently registries or setup a software because of the limited access rights. I tried to overwrite the local copy of the background but it gets refreshed the moment I lock my Computer(Alt+Ctrl+Del-->Enter). I also do not have Internet access. I am fed up of seeing the same-old boring background. Please help!!!

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Beer.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Dec 1, 2006 1:38PM PST

Give beer to IT staff. Works wonders.

Bob

- Collapse -
Doesn't any of U techies out there have a valid solution?
by Battle Axe Dec 14, 2006 11:19PM PST

Hey Cmon...Jokes apart, there must be some way to get around this issue. There must be something like a flash file or .exe application which can run directly and load a wallpaper in background without installation or hacking in2 the registry!!!

- Collapse -
Sorry, the forum policies rule here.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Dec 15, 2006 12:07AM PST

It's a company machine and no help to get around company policy should be offered. But my method works.

Bob

- Collapse -
The technical way to get around the prohibitions is...
by Edward ODaniel Dec 16, 2006 1:09AM PST

to do as Bob suggested - get someone who has the proper credentials to hear your plea and do you a favor (generally in return for your doing them one).

Another way if you are so inclined is to locate another job where they allow end users to complicate support by making whatever changes they desire -- good luck.

PS - beer is cheap!

- Collapse -
other perspective
by linkit Dec 16, 2006 8:43AM PST

It has been documented that magic mushrooms can change wallpaper and backgrounds for the user. Otherwise, that aforementioned beer angle does seem promising.

- Collapse -
Must admit that CNET users do have a gr8 sense of humour...!
by Battle Axe Dec 16, 2006 2:47PM PST

U know guys I was so frustrated with my current state of affairs, that I actually tried to Google the words "magic mushrooms" for a solution...but anyways, thanks to all of U 4 lending Ur time to consider my plea...and entertaining me with Ur humorous comments as well...Meanwhile, I have devised a workaround....Every day B4 leaving the office, I delete the local copy of the wallpaper, paste my wallpaper there with the same name and extension, refresh the desktop and leave for home. The next day I come, I dont see my wallpaper on the desktop, but every time I lock my workstation (Alt+Ctrl+Del) I see my desired wallpaper there in the background...And when the wallpaper tends to have a Former Miss World ( Aishwarya Rai from India) in it, its very very relaxing and rejuvenating...

- Collapse -
Replacing default image
by Al_Gore_Sucks Nov 30, 2012 10:49PM PST

Have you tried renaming the default picture and copy de image you want as wallpaper as "%PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\user.bmp."

Back to Computer Help forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info