Fix: Can’t change desktop background problem in Windows 10

If you are facing any trouble changing the wallpaper on your desktop  and looking for a solution for this problem, then you are just in the right place. Follow the fixes of this article on your computer and you surely will be able to change the wallpaper on your computer just like before. But before going ahead for the main solutions on your computer, just walk through these workarounds to test some simpler solutions for this problem.

Workarounds–

1. If this is the first time you are facing this kind of error on your computer, then a simple reboot of the device may solve this issue.

2. Check if any Windows Update is pending or not. If any of the Windows Update is pending on your computer, let Windows install it on your computer. Check if you can the change the wallpaper now or not.

If any of these workarounds didn’t work out for you, go for this fixes on your computer-

Fix-1 Check if Windows is activated-

If your Windows 10 is not activated or the trial period is over for your Windows 10, then this problem may occur. To check if your Windows is activated or not, follow these steps-

1. Press Windows key+I to open Settings window on your computer. Now, click on “Updates & Security” settings.

 

 

2. In Updates & Security window, scroll down on the left side to find “Activation“.

You can check activation status beside “Activation” on the right side of Settings window.

 

 

If you notice “Windows is activated” in the right hand side of Settings window, then this is not the reason for your problem.

If you see “Windows is not activated” or “Windows activation has expired on…” message, then you will need to activate your Windows 10.

After activating your Windows 10, you will be able to change wallpapers of desktop easily.

 

Fix-2 Edit Group Policy Editor-

Modifying Local Group Policy Editor will solve your problem.

1. Press Windows key+R to launch Run window on your computer. Type “gpedit.msc” and hit Enter to launch Local Group Policy Editor window on your computer.

 

 

2. In Local Group Policy Editor window, on the left hand side, navigate to this location-

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization

3. Now, on the right hand side of the window, double click on “Prevent changing desktop background” to open Properties of it.

 

 

4. In Prevent changing desktop background window, select “Disabled” and then click on “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes on your computer.

 

 

Close Local Group Policy Editor window. Now, try to change the wallpaper on your desktop. Your problem should be solved.

 

Fix-3 Modify Registry Editor-

Changing value of “NoChangingWallpaper” registry key may solve this problem on your computer.

1. Press Windows key+R to launch Run window on your computer. Type “regedit” and hit Enter to open Registry Editor window.

 

 

2. In Registry Editor window, click on “File” and then click on “Export” to create a backup of the registry key on your computer.

 

 

3. In Export Registry File window, choose a favorable location of your choice to store the backup. Now, click on ‘File name:‘ and then name it as “Original Registry Editor“.

4. Next, set ‘Export Range‘ to “All” and then click on “Save” to store  the backup on your computer. In case any thing goes wrong, you can simply ‘Merge‘ the registry back to your computer again.

 

 

5. In Registry Editor window, on the left hand side of the window, navigate to this location-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop

6. On the right hand side, double click on “NoChangingWallpaper” to change the value data of it.

 

 

7. In Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value window, set the ‘Value Data‘ to “0” and then click on “OK“.

 

 

Close Registry Editor window. You may need to reboot your computer to let the changes take effect on your computer.

After rebooting, you will able to change the wallpaper of your desktop. Your problem should be solved.