Is there an API call or something like that to change the desktop wallpaper in Windows (2k or xp or whatever)?

I want to make a program that will change wallpaper based on holidays/time of year. Yes, I'm that bored.

If somebody knows of a program that does that anyway without me having to write it, that's ok too :-)

hm, this looks like a promising place to start:

http://www.pscode.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=304&lngWId=3

hmm, it seems to be stored in the registry under:
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General\Wallpaper"

Now all I have to figure out is how to tell windows to reload the wallpaper :-)

Edit: hmm, I can just close/open explorer.exe, which works.. or I can do this before explorer loads initially. How early do startup programs run, before or after explorer?

[quote author=iago link=board=5;threadid=2986;start=0#msg23280 date=1065504253]
hmm, it seems to be stored in the registry under:
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General\Wallpaper"

Now all I have to figure out is how to tell windows to reload the wallpaper :-)

Edit: hmm, I can just close/open explorer.exe, which works.. or I can do this before explorer loads initially. How early do startup programs run, before or after explorer?


[/quote]You could probably just invalidate the entire desktop and force windows to repaint it.

[code] Dim Files() As String, FN As String
Dim lCnt As Long, bRet As Long
Static Current As Long
Dim nAction As Long, nSaveChange As Long
Dim strPic As String

lCnt = 0
FN = Dir("C:\Pictures\*.bmp")
Do While Len(FN) > 0
lCnt = lCnt + 1
ReDim Preserve Files(1 To lCnt)
Files(lCnt) = "C:\Pictures\" & FN
FN = Dir
Loop
Current = Current + 1
Current = Current Mod lCnt + 1
nAction = SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER
nSaveChange = SPIF_SENDCHANGE
strPic = Files(Current)
lblFile = strPic & Chr(0)
bRet = SystemParametersInfo(nAction, 0, strPic, nSaveChange)
If bRet = 0 Then
bRet = GetLastError
Dim sError As String
Dim iErr As Long, dwFormatFlags As Long
iErr = bRet
dwFormatFlags = FORMAT_MESSAGE_ALLOCATE_BUFFER + FORMAT_MESSAGE_IGNORE_INSERTS + FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM
bRet = FormatMessage(dwFormatFlags, 0, iErr, 0, sError, 0, 0)
MsgBox "Error: " & iErr & " - " & sError
End If[/code]

ooh, I get to say this for once!
"eww, visual basic.. can somebody convert it to c++?"
Sorry, I've always wanted to say that :-)


Thanks, Grok! You're the best! :)

The original request did not specify host language for the API call.

You owe me +1.

[quote author=Grok link=board=5;threadid=2986;start=0#msg23319 date=1065551686]
The original request did not specify host language for the API call.

You owe me +1.
[/quote]

haha much like many other posts from people who are looking for help in VB and get in c++ :-P

But I gave you your +1 anyway, making you a nice even 100 :-D

[quote author=Grok link=board=5;threadid=2986;start=0#msg23286 date=1065529277]
[code] Dim Files() As String, FN As String
Dim lCnt As Long, bRet As Long
Static Current As Long
Dim nAction As Long, nSaveChange As Long
Dim strPic As String

lCnt = 0
FN = Dir("C:\Pictures\*.bmp")
Do While Len(FN) > 0
lCnt = lCnt + 1
ReDim Preserve Files(1 To lCnt)
Files(lCnt) = "C:\Pictures\" & FN
FN = Dir
Loop
Current = Current + 1
Current = Current Mod lCnt + 1
nAction = SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER
nSaveChange = SPIF_SENDCHANGE
strPic = Files(Current)
lblFile = strPic & Chr(0)
bRet = SystemParametersInfo(nAction, 0, strPic, nSaveChange)
If bRet = 0 Then
bRet = GetLastError
Dim sError As String
Dim iErr As Long, dwFormatFlags As Long
iErr = bRet
dwFormatFlags = FORMAT_MESSAGE_ALLOCATE_BUFFER + FORMAT_MESSAGE_IGNORE_INSERTS + FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM
bRet = FormatMessage(dwFormatFlags, 0, iErr, 0, sError, 0, 0)
MsgBox "Error: " & iErr & " - " & sError
End If[/code]
[/quote]If i'm not mistaken you need to call LocalFree on sError after you've displayed the error, else you'll leak memory. I know this needs to be done when calling from C/C++; VB should probably be the same though.

Even though it is VB...maybe it will help some.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/archive/en-us/dnarvbtips/html/msdn_msdn192.asp

Ok dont know if its been answered yet but i got something that works.
[code]
Declare Function SystemParametersInfo Lib "user32" Alias "SystemParametersInfoA" (ByVal uAction As Long, ByVal uParam As Long, ByVal lpvParam As Any, ByVal fuWinIni As Long) As Long
Public Const SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER = 20
[/code]
and the could always make the below show up in a dialog box so u can pick what image.
[code]
SystemParametersInfo SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER, 0, "C:\BG.GIF", 0
[/code]

i cant remember where i got this.

Why make one dl it.
Use google here is the link:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Season+Changing+Desktop+for+FREE&btnG=Google+Search

I already did must say it is pretty cool. If you really wanted to make ure own just decode one and see what there basis for there desktop changer is..

:-\ :-\

Just copy and paste it won't let u use full link.

>:( >:( >:(

Are you incapable of using the proper forum tags? It's incredibly easy to use the "full link."

To lazzy it takes to much brain power.
Or.... I just didn't think of that.