asked on

Changing windows 7 wallpaper via an app or batch file

I've got a collection of pictures that I use for the wallpaper on a windows desktop. It is set to move through the collection randomly at 30 minute intervals.

Occasionally I would like to change the wallpaper (as if the 30 minute interval had elapsed) at that instant. I can go to the desktop, right click then in the context menu select 'Next esktop background'. Now I sometimes find that a bit of work and would like to have an app/bat file on the desktop that would perform the same action.

What command / windows API is required to perform the same action as that context menu command ?

AndyAinscow

ASKER

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Joe Winograd

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

AndyAinscow

ASKER

From the first link:
set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.SendKeys("^ ")
WshShell.SendKeys("+{F10}")
WshShell.SendKeys("n")
saved as a vbs file on the desktop. Double click and it does the job.

Excellent, thanks.

Jacques Bourgeois (James Burger)

The API to call is SystemParametersInfo, with SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER (20) as the first parameter. Here is sample code in VB:

Private Declare Function SystemParametersInfo Lib "user32" Alias "SystemParametersInfoA" (ByVal uiAction As Integer, ByVal uiParam As Integer, ByVal pvParam As String, ByVal fWinIni As Integer) As Boolean

Const SPIF_UPDATEINIFILE As Short = 1
Const SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER As Short = 20
Const SPIF_SENDWININICHANGE As Short = 2

SystemParametersInfo(SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER, 0, "C:\Images\MyPicture.jpg", SPIF_UPDATEINIFILE Or SPIF_SENDWININICHANGE)

Open in new window

AndyAinscow

ASKER

@James - thanks but that isn't quite what I was asking for. (Maybe it is something similar)

Joe Winograd

You're welcome. That VBS script is a clean, simple solution. Regards, Joe