Add Classic Desktop Background to Control Panel in Windows 10

How to Add Classic Desktop Background to Control Panel in Windows 10

If you are using Windows 10 for a while, you definitely know that the classic Personalization options were removed from the control panel. All options to personalize are now there in the Settings app, which is a modern app designed for both touch screen and classic desktop users. If you are not satisfied by this new way to tune up your OS appearance, you might be interested in adding the classic Desktop Background applet back to the Control panel.

The classic Personalization item is not available under Appearance and Personalization in the Control panel in recent Windows 10 versions. In one of the previous articles, we have seen how to restore it (ref: Add Personalization To Control Panel In Windows 10). In this blog post, we are going to use the same method, but for the classic Desktop Background applet. Here's why.

While the classic Personalization window retains its familiar look, Microsoft has updated the applet, so its "Background" and "Color" buttons now open the appropriate pages of Settings. If you are not happy with the situation, here is a quick fix.

In the blog post "Add Classic Personalization Desktop menu in Windows 10" we have reviewed a number of commands that can be used to launch specific Personalization applets in Windows 10. To open the classic Desktop Background window, you can use the following command:

explorer.exe shell:::{ED834ED6-4B5A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921} -Microsoft.Personalization\pageWallpaper

As you can see in the screenshot below, the command still works without issues in very recent Windows 10 builds.

So, let's restore it in the Control Panel under the Appearance and Personalization category. Before proceeding, ensure that your user account has administrative privileges.

To Add Classic Desktop Background to Control Panel in Windows 10,

1. Download the following ZIP archive: Download ZIP archive.
2. Extract its contents to any folder. You can place the files directly to the Desktop.
3. Unblock the files.
4. Double click on the Add Desktop Background To Control Panel.reg file to merge it.
5. Now, open the classic Control Panel.
6. Click on Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization.
7. There, you will find the Desktop Background item.

You are done!

Note: To remove the entry from the context menu, use the included file Remove Desktop Background From Control Panel.reg.

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