Solved Can't Change Desktop Background

Klaw117

New Member
Messages
18
Windows 8 isn't letting me change my desktop background for some unknown reason. I've already searched around for solutions and everything seems to say "Activate Windows 8." However, my copy already is activated. Here's what's going on:

When I go into the Personalize window and click the option to change the background, this appears:

vxvn.png

Looks pretty typical. However, if I change the picture location to something else, this happens:

5kac.png

The pictures don't change to reflect the change in the picture location. If I click cancel and then try to change the desktop background again, this happens:

1ud.png


I have no idea what's going on here. Does anyone else have an idea?
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4670K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-A
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE247H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
    Western Digital Blue 7200 RPM 1TB HDD
    Seagate Expansion Portable 640GB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair TX750
    Case
    Thermaltake Chaser MK-I
    Cooling
    Stock Heatsink and Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3000
    Internet Speed
    Cable 2MB/s
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Yep, I've activated Windows.

Proof:
Error 4.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4670K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-A
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE247H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
    Western Digital Blue 7200 RPM 1TB HDD
    Seagate Expansion Portable 640GB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair TX750
    Case
    Thermaltake Chaser MK-I
    Cooling
    Stock Heatsink and Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3000
    Internet Speed
    Cable 2MB/s
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Hello Klaw, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Does closing and reopening this window OR signing out and in allow you to afterwards?

For now, you might run a sfc /scannow command to see if it may help if you have any corrupt system files.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Being the curious sort that I am, I went in search of an alternative strategy just in case Brink's suggestion doesn't work (but I'm sure it will). Anyway, I found several instances where people regained their ability to change their themes after performing this operation. Please note that I have just tested it on my rig without issue:

Copy and paste the following path into the run box and press OK:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\

theme.jpg

Once there, delete (or rename) theTranscodedWallpaper.jpg file, and then try to change your theme again.

I have no idea if this will fix your issue but it might be worth a try if all else fails. Good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Thanks for the help guys and thanks for the welcome, Brink, but neither of these methods helped. It's weird too since I thought for sure that sfc /scannow and Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth would work, but they didn't even after finding and fixing all corrupt files.

Unless anyone else has any possible methods, I think I'll just wait until Windows 8.1 comes out and then do a clean install (hopefully that won't take too much life out of my SSD). It's not like this is harming anything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4670K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-A
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE247H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
    Western Digital Blue 7200 RPM 1TB HDD
    Seagate Expansion Portable 640GB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair TX750
    Case
    Thermaltake Chaser MK-I
    Cooling
    Stock Heatsink and Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3000
    Internet Speed
    Cable 2MB/s
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Klaw,

Just to check, do you have any other files (ex: videos) saved in the C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper\Windows folder other than images?

As a test, clear the thumbnail cache to see if there may be an issue with loading the images of the files.
Do you have this issue while signed in any other user account?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Nothing out of the ordinary in the folder you mentioned, clearing the thumbnail cache didn't work, and the issue remains when signed into another account.

This seems like a very bizarre error.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4670K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-A
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE247H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
    Western Digital Blue 7200 RPM 1TB HDD
    Seagate Expansion Portable 640GB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair TX750
    Case
    Thermaltake Chaser MK-I
    Cooling
    Stock Heatsink and Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3000
    Internet Speed
    Cable 2MB/s
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Klaw,

In addition to what JustATest posted above, close the personalization window, and double check this below again, then try changing the desktop background.

Method 2: Corrupted TranscodedWallpaper.jpg

If the TranscodedWallpaper.jpg file has become corrupted, you may be unable to change the desktop background picture. To resolve this issue, delete the TranscodedWallpaper.jpg file. To delete the TranscodedWallpaper.jpg file, follow these steps.

  1. Click Start, paste the following text into the search box, and then press Enter

    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\

  2. Right-click the TranscodedWallpaper.jpg file, and then click Rename.
  3. Change the file name to TranscodedWallpaper.old, and then click Yes when you are prompted.
  4. If slideshow.ini is listed, double-click this file. Slideshow.ini should open in Notepad. Select all the text in slideshow.ini if any exists, and then press Delete on the keyboard.
  5. On the File menu, click Save.
  6. Close Notepad.
  7. Close the File Explorer window, and then browse to the picture that will be set as the background image.
  8. Try to apply a background picture again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Perhaps I should've pointed this out.

I don't know if there was ever a problem with selecting a background by browsing for the picture, right-clicking on it, and selecting the option to make it the background. That's currently working now, but I never used that option before, so I don't know if it was broken before. I was more preoccupied with why the Personalization window was working.

That being said, I've noticed that selecting the picture folders in the Personalization window partially works at the moment. First, here's a screenshot that I'll be referencing in this post:
Error 5.png

In the default themes, the picture location is "Windows Desktop Backgrounds." What I kept doing before was selecting "Pictures Library" to find my other backgrounds and that kept messing it up, but I have no idea why. The only locations that don't screw it up are the two "Wallpaper" options (the same folder ended up being listed twice because I think I accessed it once with the "Browse" button and another time by right-clicking on a picture inside and selecting the option to use it as a background), "Windows Desktop Backgrounds," and "Solid Colors." If I click on any other locations, my original problem will resurface.

I changed my background when trying to follow the last step of Brink's solution, but it was through right-clicking on it and selecting the appropriate option. That caused the picture location in the Personalization window to default to the Wallpapers folder. I decided to mess around and see if I could change the location. I could, but again, it was only to the four locations listed above. All the other ones caused the problem to resurface. Then, just to see what would happen, I switched back to a default theme and tried to see if I could change the location to any of the other folders. Again, it only worked on the folders mentioned above. I don't know if this was the case before I tried any of the solutions since before, I kept trying to click on the "Pictures Library" location, which caused the error. I only started messing around after following the last step of Brink's solution, which had me change my profile picture. If I click on one of the bad locations and screw up the window, closing the window and reopening it will get rid of the screw-up, but if I click on one of the bad locations again, the screw-up will arise again.

I don't know if this actually helps anyone figure out what's going on. Like I said, this seems like a very odd error. I'll try to elaborate if you don't understand what I'm saying.

On a side note, does anyone know how to get rid of one of the duplicate "Wallpapers" locations or why the "DesktopBackgrounds" location doesn't exist according to an error that pops up?

Again, if this error seems too odd for anyone to find a solution, I can just wait to do a clean install once Windows 8.1 comes out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4670K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-A
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE247H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
    Western Digital Blue 7200 RPM 1TB HDD
    Seagate Expansion Portable 640GB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair TX750
    Case
    Thermaltake Chaser MK-I
    Cooling
    Stock Heatsink and Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3000
    Internet Speed
    Cable 2MB/s
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I'm going to go back and read your above post in great detail; however, I would like you to try just a test (as my name implies). So, can you please try and download a different theme (pick any one for a test) and see if you can apply it.

Themes - Microsoft Windows
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Unless anyone else has any possible methods, I think I'll just wait until Windows 8.1 comes out and then do a clean install (hopefully that won't take too much life out of my SSD). It's not like this is harming anything.

You will be fine doing a clean install on your SSD. I have one installed on my test rig and I have done many clean installs and tons of system image restores without instance. BTW, my SSD SMART data still reports the condition of the drive as excellent.

On a side note, does anyone know how to get rid of one of the duplicate "Wallpapers" locations or why the "DesktopBackgrounds" location doesn't exist according to an error that pops up?

I noticed the one wallpaper location is located on an "E" drive so maybe you have the other wallpaper location elsewhere? Also, is the E drive an internal drive? On the other issue, the only thing I have in the DesktopBackgrounds location (you are getting an error on) are the backgrounds from any 3rd-party themes I have downloaded. Can't explain how or why you are getting that error unless the folder is missing. However, all things considered, I have to ask if you have had any previous malware infections that might have attempted to lock your desktop image in place and/or attempted to impose an unwanted (and unchangable) theme and you were somehow able to work around that issue but were left with the remnants you are trying to fix now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
In the default themes, the picture location is "Windows Desktop Backgrounds." What I kept doing before was selecting "Pictures Library" to find my other backgrounds and that kept messing it up, but I have no idea why. The only locations that don't screw it up are the two "Wallpaper" options (the same folder ended up being listed twice because I think I accessed it once with the "Browse" button and another time by right-clicking on a picture inside and selecting the option to use it as a background), "Windows Desktop Backgrounds," and "Solid Colors." If I click on any other locations, my original problem will resurface.

I changed my background when trying to follow the last step of Brink's solution, but it was through right-clicking on it and selecting the appropriate option. That caused the picture location in the Personalization window to default to the Wallpapers folder. I decided to mess around and see if I could change the location. I could, but again, it was only to the four locations listed above. All the other ones caused the problem to resurface. Then, just to see what would happen, I switched back to a default theme and tried to see if I could change the location to any of the other folders. Again, it only worked on the folders mentioned above. I don't know if this was the case before I tried any of the solutions since before, I kept trying to click on the "Pictures Library" location, which caused the error. I only started messing around after following the last step of Brink's solution, which had me change my profile picture. If I click on one of the bad locations and screw up the window, closing the window and reopening it will get rid of the screw-up, but if I click on one of the bad locations again, the screw-up will arise again.

I don't know if this actually helps anyone figure out what's going on. Like I said, this seems like a very odd error. I'll try to elaborate if you don't understand what I'm saying.

What folders to you have included in your Pictures library?

Do you have any issues opening your Pictures library?

If you have a ton of large size images in your Pictures library, then that could sometimes cause a delay or stall in loading them like this.​



On a side note, does anyone know how to get rid of one of the duplicate "Wallpapers" locations or why the "DesktopBackgrounds" location doesn't exist according to an error that pops up?

The tutorial below will show you how to clear the location history to only have the defaults again.

Desktop Background - Remove Picture Location History - Windows 7 Help Forums
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I'm going to go back and read your above post in great detail; however, I would like you to try just a test (as my name implies). So, can you please try and download a different theme (pick any one for a test) and see if you can apply it.

Themes - Microsoft Windows
I can install themes just fine. I don't think this was ever part of the initial problem.

You will be fine doing a clean install on your SSD. I have one installed on my test rig and I have done many clean installs and tons of system image restores without instance. BTW, my SSD SMART data still reports the condition of the drive as excellent.

However, all things considered, I have to ask if you have had any previous malware infections that might have attempted to lock your desktop image in place and/or attempted to impose an unwanted (and unchangable) theme and you were somehow able to work around that issue but were left with the remnants you are trying to fix now.
Thanks for the reassurance. And I've only had Windows 8 running for three days (which is why it took so long for me to migrate here from the Windows 7 Forums), so I doubt I was ever infected. Windows Defender never complained about anything. I haven't downloaded anything unusual and I haven't visited any shady sites yet. The only site that could even remotely be considered fishy that I've visited was a site that hosted console game .iso files. Even so, I never ran anything that I downloaded from there.

What folders to you have included in your Pictures library?

Do you have any issues opening your Pictures library?

If you have a ton of large size images in your Pictures library, then that could sometimes cause a delay or stall in loading them like this.​


The tutorial below will show you how to clear the location history to only have the defaults again.

Desktop Background - Remove Picture Location History - Windows 7 Help Forums
I only have the two default folders and one self-created folder from my E:\ HDD (I didn't want to keep my files in my SSD). The two default files don't have anything in them except for one Nvidia folder since the driver installer puts it there by default and the E:\ folder only has the picture I use for my Downloads library and five pictures that I'm using as backgrounds right now. I have no issues opening my Pictures library through Windows Explorer. Also, thanks for the location history fix.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4670K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-A
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE247H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
    Western Digital Blue 7200 RPM 1TB HDD
    Seagate Expansion Portable 640GB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair TX750
    Case
    Thermaltake Chaser MK-I
    Cooling
    Stock Heatsink and Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3000
    Internet Speed
    Cable 2MB/s
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
The reason I suggested you try and download the third-party themes was an attempt to try and further isolate the issue, and, if your response is that you can apply them OK, then that helps a bit. However, with an installation only 3 days old, why not just opt to do a clean install; however, if you took the upgrade route, I can understand why you might be hesitant to do so. However, upgrades don't always work that well and especially when you are attempting to upgrade to a preview edition. Good luck.

UPDATE: OOPS, don't know where I got that 8.1 idea from... sorry about that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Klaw,

As a test, remove the E:\ folder from your Pictures library to see if you still have this issue afterwards.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13048-library-remove-folder-windows-8-a.html
Thanks, but that didn't work.

The reason I suggested you try and download the third-party themes was an attempt to try and further isolate the issue, and, if your response is that you can apply them OK, then that helps a bit. However, with an installation only 3 days old, why not just opt to do a clean install; however, if you took the upgrade route, I can understand why you might be hesitant to do so. However, upgrades don't always work that well and especially when you are attempting to upgrade to a preview edition. Good luck.

UPDATE: OOPS, don't know where I got that 8.1 idea from... sorry about that.
I originally didn't want to do a clean install of Windows 8 again because of SSD concerns, but since you said it's really not that bad, perhaps I'll consider it. Another issue was having to re-download my Steam library, but I suppose I could just leave my computer on overnight and have it download while I'm sleeping. This all seems a bit drastic for a mostly unnoticeable, albeit weird issue though. I'm perfectly content with waiting until Windows 8.1 comes out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4670K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-A
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE247H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD
    Western Digital Blue 7200 RPM 1TB HDD
    Seagate Expansion Portable 640GB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair TX750
    Case
    Thermaltake Chaser MK-I
    Cooling
    Stock Heatsink and Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3000
    Internet Speed
    Cable 2MB/s
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
You will not have any issue with SSD wear. Go for it! Steam library? I would definitely do a clean install and test at these intervals:

Right after the clean install
Again after all Windows Updates have been applied.
(This is a good time to make a system image BTW)
Start installing your programs and see if the problem surfaces again.
(If it does, you have a system image ready for emergency recovery)

Good luck.

Note to Brink: The pop-up issue just happened again while typing this response. Laptop, 8.1, IE 11.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
@Brink: Just a thought. Do you think it would be appropriate for the OP to try the SFC + DISM combination at this point? I've seen David Bailey recommend this combination a few times with success; however, I have never personally used those two in tandem so I can't determine if there would be any destructive effects in this particular case. Your thoughts please.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
@Brink: Just a thought. Do you think it would be appropriate for the OP to try the SFC + DISM combination at this point? I've seen David Bailey recommend this combination a few times with success; however, I have never personally used those two in tandem so I can't determine if there would be any destructive effects in this particular case. Your thoughts please.

Already did from post #4 and #6, but it didn't help. :(

http://www.eightforums.com/customization/28711-cant-change-desktop-background.html#post260238

I would say at this point, a clean install may be best.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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