New Feature – Shuffling Desktop Backgrounds in Windows 7

Introduction

What would you say if you can have your favorite images displayed as your desktop backgrounds, and that you have the control to set the time that it will take to flip from one picture to another, how about if you can shuffle these pictures in a random order ? Well, all this can be done now without the need to any third party, only with Windows 7.

Note : This article was written when Windows 7 was still in BETA 1, changes might occur later to the product once it is RTM.

Windows 7 has a new feature that allows you to select not a single picture, but a folder that contains your pictures and set them all as your desktop backgrounds. For example, Most of the time I chose pictures of my kids, so that I really enjoy every time I have a look on my desktop.

For the purpose of this article, I have prepared a folder that contains 10 images for sunset. So lets shuffle our desktop backgrounds.

1. Right click any empty space on your desktop and choose Personalize
2. At the bottom of the Personalization page, Click on Desktop Background
3. Select from the list of available picture folders by clicking on the Drop down list beside Picture location, or click on the Browse button to navigate and select the folder that contains your images
4. Browse to your folder, select it and then click on OK
5. The content of the folder will be displayed. By default, all images inside this folder will be selected.
   You do have the option to remove the selection from all images by clicking on the Clear All button. If you do want to deselect few pictures, then all you have to do is to click on the upper left checkbox of the image you want to deselect.You have the option to choose the picture position, by selecting either Fill, Fit, Stretch, Tile or Center.

   Set the time it takes each image to be displayed till it is replaced by another by selecting the duration in the drop down list under Change picture every. 

   

   If you do want these image to be selected in random order and not be changed in sequential order, then select the checkbox beside Shuffle.
   If you want to enjoy your different desktop background all the time, even when your laptop is running on battery, then deselect the last option When using battery power, pause the slide show to save power. Once you have made your selections, click on Save changes 

   Now go back to your desktop and check it, the background images will change and you will see your favorite images all time in front of you on your desktop.

Summary

Windows 7 allows you to have great moments every time you have a look on your desktop. It has a new feature that allows us to have different shuffled desktop backgrounds.