Python: 10 Methods to Change Desktop wallpaper 2023

Changing the wallpaper on your computer is a simple task that can be easily automated using Python. In this blog post, we’ll look at 10 different ways to change the wallpaper using Python, with explanations and examples for each method.

Method 1: Using the ctypes library

The ctypes library is a Python module that provides C-style data types and allows you to call functions in dynamic link libraries/shared libraries. We can use the ctypes library to call the SystemParametersInfo function from the Windows API, which allows us to change the wallpaper.

Here’s an example of how to use the ctypes library to change the wallpaper to a file called wallpaper.jpg:

import ctypes

SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER = 20 

ctypes.windll.user32.SystemParametersInfoW(SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER, , "C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg", )

import win32api
import win32con

win32api.SystemParametersInfo(win32con.SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER, "C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg", win32con.SPIF_UPDATEINIFILE)

Method 3: Using the PIL library

The Python Imaging Library (PIL) is a library for manipulating images. We can use the PIL library to open an image file, convert it to a Windows bitmap (BMP) file, and set the wallpaper to the BMP file.

Here’s an example of how to use the PIL library to change the wallpaper to a file called wallpaper.jpg:

from PIL import Image

image = Image.open("C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg")
image.save("C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.bmp", "BMP")

import ctypes
ctypes.windll.user32.SystemParametersInfoW(20, , "C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.bmp", )

Method 4: Using the pyautogui library

The pyautogui library is a library for automating mouse and keyboard actions. We can use the pyautogui library to simulate the actions of opening the Control Panel, going to the Desktop Background settings, and selecting a new wallpaper image.

Here’s an example of how to use the pyautogui library to change the wallpaper to a file called wallpaper.jpg:

import pyautogui

pyautogui.hotkey('win', 'r')  # open the Run dialog
pyautogui.typewrite('control\n')  # open the Control Panel
pyautogui.sleep(2)  # wait for the Control Panel to open

# go to the Desktop Background settings
pyautogui.typewrite('desktop background\n')
pyautogui.sleep(2)

# select the new wallpaper image
pyautogui.typewrite("C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg\n")
pyautogui.sleep(2)

# set the wallpaper
pyautogui.hotkey('alt', 'a')
pyautogui.sleep(2)
pyautogui.hotkey('enter')

This method simulates the actions of a user opening the Control Panel, going to the Desktop Background settings, selecting a new wallpaper image, and setting the wallpaper. It may not work on all systems and may require some adjustment to the timing and exact keystrokes used.

Method 5: Using the os library and the REG ADD command

The os library is a built-in Python library for interacting with the operating system. We can use the os.system function to run the REG ADD command, which allows us to change the registry key that specifies the wallpaper.

Here’s an example of how to use the os library and the REG ADD command to change the wallpaper to a file called wallpaper.jpg:

import os

os.system('REG ADD "HKCU\\Control Panel\\Desktop" /v Wallpaper /t REG_SZ /d "C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg" /f')

This method modifies the registry key for the wallpaper, which will cause the wallpaper to be changed. However, it may not work on all systems and may require administrator privileges to run.

Method 6: Using the subprocess library and the REG ADD command

The subprocess library is a library for spawning new processes and communicating with them. We can use the subprocess.run function to run the REG ADD command, just like in the previous example.

Here’s an example of how to use the subprocess library and the REG ADD command to change the wallpaper to a file called wallpaper.jpg:

import subprocess

subprocess.run(['REG', 'ADD', 'HKCU\\Control Panel\\Desktop', '/v', 'Wallpaper', '/t', 'REG_SZ', '/d', 'C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg', '/f'])

This method is similar to the previous one, but it uses the subprocess.run function instead of the os.system function.

Method 7: Using the winreg library

The winreg library is a library for interacting with the Windows registry. We can use the winreg library to modify the registry key for the wallpaper, just like in the previous examples.

Here’s an example of how to use the winreg library to change the wallpaper to a file called wallpaper.jpg:

import winreg

key = winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER, "Control Panel\\Desktop", , winreg.KEY_SET_VALUE)
winreg.SetValueEx(key, "Wallpaper", , winreg.REG_SZ, "C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg")
winreg.CloseKey(key)

This method uses the winreg library to open the registry key for the wallpaper, set the value of the wallpaper to the new image file, and close the key.

Method 8: Using the win32gui and win32con libraries

The win32gui and win32con libraries are part of the PyWin32 package, just like the win32api and win32con libraries. We can use the win32gui library to send a message to the desktop window to change the wallpaper.

Here’s an example of how to use the win32gui and win32con libraries to change the wallpaper to a file called wallpaper.jpg:

import win32api
import win32con
import win32gui

key = win32api.RegOpenKeyEx(win32con.HKEY_CURRENT_USER, "Control Panel\\Desktop", , win32con.KEY_SET_VALUE)
win32api.RegSetValueEx(key, "Wallpaper", , win32con.REG_SZ, "C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg")
win32api.RegCloseKey(key)

win32gui.SystemParametersInfo(win32con.SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER, , "C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg", win32con.SPIF_SENDWININICHANGE | win32con.SPIF_UPDATEINIFILE)

This method uses the win32api and win32con libraries to modify the registry key for the wallpaper, and then uses the win32gui library to send a message to the desktop window to update the wallpaper.

Method 9: Using the setwallpaper module

The setwallpaper module is a third-party Python module for changing the wallpaper. It is a simple wrapper around the ctypes library, like in the first example, but it provides a more convenient interface for changing the wallpaper.

Here’s an example of how to use the setwallpaper module to change the wallpaper to a file called wallpaper.jpg:

import setwallpaper

setwallpaper.set("C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg")

This method is a simple one-liner that uses the setwallpaper module to change the wallpaper.

Method 10: Using the winshell module

The winshell module is a third-party Python module for interacting with the Windows shell. We can use the winshell module to change the registry key for the wallpaper, just like in the previous examples.

Here’s an example of how to use the winshell module to change the wallpaper to a file called wallpaper.jpg:

import winshell

key = winshell.registry.OpenKey(winshell.registry.HKEY_CURRENT_USER, "Control Panel\\Desktop", , winshell.registry.KEY_SET_VALUE)
winshell.registry.SetValueEx(key, "Wallpaper", , winshell.registry.REG_SZ, "C:\\path\\to\\wallpaper.jpg")
winshell.registry.CloseKey(key)

This method uses the winshell module to open the registry key for the wallpaper, set the value of the wallpaper to the new image file, and close the key.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we’ve looked at 10 different ways to change the wallpaper using Python. Each method has its own pros and cons, and which one you choose will depend on your specific needs and requirements. Some methods are simple one-liners, while others involve more complex code. Some methods modify the registry, while others use the Windows API or simulate user actions. Whichever method you choose, Python makes it easy to automate the task of changing the wallpaper on your computer.