Finally: Change the wallpaper of Windows 7 Starter Edition

Netbook and nettop readers, this week’s blog post is for you. If you have Windows 7 Starter (usually the default operating system on these devices) and are frustrated by not being able to change your desktop wallpaper, keep reading—we have the solution for you!

Windows 7 Starter Limitations

Microsoft limited the features of this simpler Windows version in order to differentiate it from higher editions such as Windows 7 Home Premium. Windows 7 Starter does not include Aero-Interface, multi-touch support and DVD playback support, and also has a limited amount of accessible memory (2 GB maximum). While some of the missing features aren’t necessary for netbooks and nettops, they do prevent users from changing their desktop wallpapers. Why? As Windows expert Rafael Riviera discussed on Within Windows, the wallpaper is hardcoded into the operating system.

This has caused a lot of outcry among small notebook PC owners! This problem is one of the most discussed and viewed topics of all time in Microsoft’s forums. And if you Google this problem, you’ll get hundreds of thousands of hits.

Solving This Windows 7 Starter Issue

Some companies and freelance developers have felt users’ pain and created tools, such as Stardock MyColors, that can entirely change the Windows theme. If you want something more lightweight, go for either Starter Wallpaper Changer or Starter Background Changer. We’ll walk you through how to use the latter, since its installation routine is in French.

1. Go to Renaudgerson.fr, and download Starter Background Changer. Once downloaded, double-click on the file to install it. Click on “Suivant”. Mark “Je suis d’accord avec les termes et conditions ci-dessus”, and click “Suivant” again. Once done, click “Suivant” and “Yes”, and confirm with “Demarrer”.
2. Starter Background Changer will then need a couple of seconds to apply its changes. At the end, click “Quitter”.
3. Done? Then right-click on your desktop, and select “Personalize”. You’ll then be able to select a new background by clicking on “Wallpaper” and selecting an image (JPG, PNG, BMP, etc.).

Windows 7 Starter users will finally be able to change their wallpaper to anything they like. It feels great to have restrictions taken off, doesn’t it?