Fixed an issue that could not replace Windows 10 desktop wallpaper with Group Policy

If you try to change the desktop wallpaper using Local Group Policy Editor on Windows 10 but fails, here is the fix solution. In addition, these solutions can also help you fix the black background error on Windows 10.

To fix the error that cannot replace Windows 10 desktop wallpaper with Group Policy you can try the following:

1. Check Registry Editor settings

Since using Registry Editor can also change the desktop background, sometimes Registry Editor settings conflict with Local Group Policy Editor. Therefore, you need to check the Registry for any suspicious settings or not.

You can check it by opening Registry Editor then locate the Policies folder under the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies

If you see in Policies there is a subdirectory called System, open it and see if there are two String Values ​​inside it, Wallpaper and WallpaperStyle . If so, right-click on System and choose Delete .

Once done, try to reset the background image using Group Policy see if it is okay.

2. Check the path and name of the wallpaper

When setting a desktop wallpaper using Local Group Policy Editor, you need to enter the path and name of the wallpaper. When you change the save location and the name of the background image, you also need to change the declaration corresponding to the Group Policy application. If you don't, you will see your computer display a black background image.

To check and re-enter the path you need to open the folder containing the wallpapers. Then, open the Local Group Policy Editor and navigate to:

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Desktop > Desktop

Double-click on the setting Desktop Wallpaper and enter the new path of the wallpaper then click OK .

3. Rename TranscodedWallpaper

In simple terms, you have to reset the wallpaper cache on your Windows 10 computer. There are two files you need to intervene to do this. The first file is TranscodedWallpaper and to rename it press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

Then, type the following path into Run and press Enter :

%USERPROFILE%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsThemes

Here, you will see a file named TranscodedWallpaper . Right click on it and choose Rename . You can choose any name you want.

4. Delete the content of slideshow.ini

The second file that needs to work to clear the wallpaper cache is slideshow.ini . The slideshow.ini file is in the same folder as the TranscodedWallpaper.

However, to see it you need to set the display of hidden files. To edit, right-click slideshow.ini and choose Edit . If you see anything in this file you need to delete all and press Ctrl + S to save.

5. Check wallpaper change blocking settings

If you are unable to change the wallpaper despite doing everything you should, you should check if the setting to block background changes in Group Policy and Registry Editor is enabled.

First, let's examine Group Policy by going to the following path:

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization

Double-click the Prevent changing desktop background setting on the right hand side. If it is set to Enable then select Not Configured and press OK .

Likewise, you need to check if the same configuration is enabled in the Registry. To do this, press Windows + R then type regeditand press Enter to access Registry Editor . Then, you need to find the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies

Under the Policies key, you will see a subkey named ActiveDesktop . Click it and you'll see two DWORD (32-bit) Values values named NoAddingComponents and NoComponents . Click on each value and the Value data is 0 then click OK . Alternatively, you can also right-click on the ActiveDesktop key and choose Delete .

Hopefully this article will help you to solve your problem.

David Pac

Update 15 January 2021