Batch or Reg edit to toggle Background profiles?

varxtis · 01 Apr 2020

Is there some for sort of reg edit trick or batch file (The later being more like. I know they are very different) to set two background/wallpaper "profiles"?
By default, I have my wallpaper set to a folder based slideshow. But if I host a conference meeting with a client, I want to have a static wallpaper of my logo. Currently I have my logo image pinned to start menu. I can open it and set as wallpaper "easy enough", but then I have to go to my personalize settings to change it back to the folder slideshow. The meetings are fairly brief and happen periodically, so its enough to be frustrating or tedious. This is an esthetics thing only, so no big deal, but if I could have one, or even two files pinned to start that automatically toggles from one setting/profile to the other, that'd be amazing!

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Your time and any feedback will be deeply appreciated!

dalchina · 01 Apr 2020

Hi, depending on what you use for your conference meeting, it would be possible to run a script that sets the background when your conferencing program runs, then reverts to the wallpaper changing.

E.g. Autohotkey (free) - well documented, supported. Should easily be capable of this.

a. Use a freeware program (not the Windows feature) to change your wallpaper routinely. There are several available. Let's call this Wallpaper Changer

b. Run a small script e.g. in Autohotkey that loops continuously such as this:

Loop
until conferencing program is detected

close Wallpaper Changer ; so it doesn't override the conferencing wallpaper
run a command line program to set your conferencing wallpaper (example below)

Loop
until conferencing program is not running

Run Wallpaper Changer ; Reinstate changing wallpaper routinely

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Example of command line wallpaper changer (you'd need to find one that is current and works)
Wallpaper Changer Command Line Utility

And for interest as you mentioned the registry:
How do I set the desktop background on Windows from a script? - Super User

varxtis · 01 Apr 2020

I do appreciate the feedback. Ill have to research how to go about doing this. At the risk of sounding lazy, I was hoping something might already exist where I'd just have to change the target locations or something. I don't mind working at it, but when I say "lazy", I simply mean I'm ignorant to much of this, so it'll take a bit of work to execute your directions, which were pretty straight forwarding, baring the understanding of certain terms used.
Oh and I'm using Zoom.

Please allow me some time to try following your directions when I get a chance later. I think your instructions were pretty straight straight forward, so I at least want to try :)

varxtis · 04 Apr 2020

Just updating. Still planning on looking into it, been real busy and too tired to think right now lol. Will follow up Monday or tuesday. Thank you again.