desktop-customizationwindows 7
I've set up my Windows 7 background slideshow with a few choice wallpapers, and set it to cycle daily, nothing excessive – glad to see this feature built into Windows now.
My problem is that the change happens at 3 in the afternoon, the time when I originally set up the background. I'd like it to switch at night, so I can come in to work each day to a fresh look.
Is there a registry entry I can edit to manually set that switch time? Waiting until midnight to set it doesn't count.
In the same dialog box that you mentioned about the "fix desktop icons" button, ensure that active desktop isn't enabled by unchecking everything in the list.
Next, go into the Registry Editor and check that there is not a key called 'NoChangingWallpaper' in either of the following locations. If there is, delete it and restart.
RunregeditOKHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
and
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
Try resetting the Windows theme:
PropertiesThemes tabWindows XP from the list of themesApply
Failing that, try an sfc /scannow to check for any corrupt system files they may be preventing the desktop wallpaper from automatically refreshing.
Runsfc /scannowOK
If this does not work, try a system restore.
I'm assuming it's a registry key but I haven't been able to find it yet. You can use Itty Bitty Wallpaper Rotator to achieve the same effect though. It allows you to enter any custom time you want and works on XP and Vista as well. Simply tell it which folder contains the wallpapers, set any additional options, and hit Rotate Now. Easy as that!
Itty Bitty Wallpaper Rotator is free and open source.
Best Answer
It appears this is by design... Link (a bit confused - looks like it does it on 30 seconds, but not 10 :S )
Anyway, what you can do is manually select the next one when you first come in to work in the morning, then every day, the timer should be reset to do it at that time... if you set it to rotate at one day intervals.