10
3
I plugged in a thumb drive to my pc, right-clicked on an image, and chose 'Set as desktop background'. The thumb drive was subsequently stolen. Windows obviously creates a copy on the image since it remains as the desktop background even after the thumb drive is removed. My question is, where exactly is this file stored?
rahuldottech
Posted 2015-12-02T15:43:05.643
Reputation: 5 095
15
Open regedit and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General key
The name of the key you are looking for is WallpaperSource
duDE
Posted 2015-12-02T15:43:05.643
Reputation: 14 097
12
While the answers from duDE & CharlieRB is correct
I also think what OP is looking for is in %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\
There would be a file called TranscodedWallpaper.jpg which is the currently set wallpaper
pun
Posted 2015-12-02T15:43:05.643
Reputation: 5 311
Yup. found it! Windows Photo Viewer was unable to open it but surprisingly, VLC was... – rahuldottech – 2015-12-02T16:09:43.553
I can totally understand that cos one of my Windows shows transcodedwallpaper as unknown file. If i open it in paint or browse through any other software like photoshop it opens. Still i think it serves the purpose – pun – 2015-12-02T16:11:35.343
I've a solid color set as my wallpaper, it doesn't point to that default system wallpaper, except in CachedFiles. – None – 2016-10-07T06:48:54.253
1Often the file TranscodedWallpaper will have no file extension. If you rename the file to have one (such as .jpg) then it should open just fine by double clicking on it. – Richard – 2016-12-29T10:38:08.660
I found mine under the directory %AppData%\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\RoamedThemeFiles\DesktopBackground. Original name + file extension. – victor – 2020-01-27T21:01:00.217
1
Wasn't able to verify this because I am on a Windows 7 machine at the time...
You should be able to find the desktop and lock screen images in the C:\Windows\Web\ in there you will find a Wallpaper and Screen folders.
The Wallpaper folder contains the desktop backgrounds while the Screen folder contains lock screen images.
CharlieRB
Posted 2015-12-02T15:43:05.643
Reputation: 21 303
1These folders only contained the default windows wallpapers, not ones which have been set by the user... :( – rahuldottech – 2015-12-02T16:11:27.850
1
Some wallpapers are also stored in this location: C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets
The images don't have an extension but paint will open them. The larger files are the wallpapers. Copy the ones you want to another folder and add .jpg. List by date so you know when you get new ones.
drdave
Posted 2015-12-02T15:43:05.643
Reputation: 21
Hello @drdave, Welcome to Super User! Nice answer! Note that these are the wallpapers downloaded and chosen by Windows 10 automatically, not the ones set by the user. – rahuldottech – 2016-12-14T15:06:07.403
This is the Windows Spotlight storage location. Wallpapers are not stored at this location. Seriously, read the question. – None – 2016-12-29T14:41:09.000
LOL. You said that to the author of the question. – I say Reinstate Monica – 2019-01-27T00:19:02.743
-1
I found it in cached files
\%appdata%\roaming\microsoft\windows\themes\cachedfiles
Alan Lynn
Posted 2015-12-02T15:43:05.643
Reputation: 1
Your answer is very similar to @pun answer. – Davidenko – 2017-01-03T08:31:30.753
What software is that interface? – sergiol – 2018-03-21T10:24:46.353
This is regedit / Registry Editor of Windows :) – duDE – 2018-03-21T12:26:50.587
With some extension, no? Mine does not have toolbars nor tabs nor a Window menu: https://i.imgur.com/n2FMD02.png
– sergiol – 2018-03-23T16:01:08.023@sergiol If you are using Windows 10, you can enable that by going into View and selecting Address Bar – pun – 2020-01-28T05:11:26.363
@pun I am using Windows 10 and I have not an "Address bar" option on the "View" menu. Not even running
regeditas Administrator. – sergiol – 2020-01-28T15:02:49.703@sergiol Which Windows 10 build are you using ?
– pun – 2020-01-29T04:25:13.730