How to Remove the Desktop Background Registry

Edit the registry to prevent users from changing the computer background.

On many business computers and other computers not reserved for personal use, an administrator may need to restrict the ability of a user to change the desktop background. One way to do this is by removing the tab in the Display properties that is used to change the desktop background. You can disable the "Desktop" tab by making a simple change to the Windows system registry using the Windows Registry Editor.

Instructions

1. Click on "Start," select "Run," enter the command "regedit" and click "OK" to open the Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the location "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" in the registry. Right-click in the empty space on the right side of the window. Point to "New" and click on "DWORD Value." Name the DWORD Value "NoDispBackgroundPage" and press "Enter."

3. Right-click on the "NoDispBackgroundPage" value. Change the value of the data to "1." Close the Registry Editor.

4. Open the Display properties and ensure that the "Desktop" tab is not present. Users then cannot change the background.

Tips & Warnings

• Change the "NoDispBackgroundPage" value to "0" if you want to undo the removal of the desktop background options.

References

• Inside the Registry: Information About the Windows Registry Value "NoDispBackgroundPage"
• Tweaking with Vishal: How to Enable / Disable Changing Themes, Wallpapers, Screen Savers and Other Desktop Settings?
• Microsoft Support: Options to Change Wallpaper May Be Missing or Unavailable on a Windows XP-Based Computer