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why can't i right click on any picture and set as desktop background? it only comes up saying open link and others not set as desktop background? Help please!

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I like to download flowers to my desktop but when i right click on the pic the words " set as desktop background "don't appear. i can use it on personal pictures.

I like to download flowers to my desktop but when i right click on the pic the words " set as desktop background "don't appear. i can use it on personal pictures.

All Replies (20)

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Check the type of picture it may not be the correct format can you link the picture to me?

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it used to work on any picture from any where but now it only works on my personal pics on my computrer

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Try this right click on my profile picture does it contain the option for set as background image when the menu pops out.

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no it doesn't it says bookmark this link , open this link, save link as, etc.....

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The operating system listed was Windows XP which version of Windows are you using? Windows 7, 8, 8.1?

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Ok the cause of this is either a security update or a change in the registry of the operating system due to some other software most likely security related. I am about to eat dinner you might want to check this post tomorrow and I can help further by then I will have posted a few solutions to try.

Just be sure to leave the following information: Version of operating system example: Windows 8.1

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none of those mine is older, my browser is mozilla firefox and my security is AVG

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Okay that makes sense it is now missing from either a security update or a registry change due to AVG. There might have been a vulnerability associated with that feature so it was removed. Doesn't mean we can't get it back if you really want it. It may not be easy for you though we might have to edit the system registry and uninstall an update...

Let me know if you want to proceed and later I will have posted a few solutions.

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The only thing I could find was Microsoft XP, Home Edition 2002, system 32, Service pack 3, e machine 86160a hope this helps thanks

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Hi binmay, when you right-click the image, do you have any of these other typical image options:

  • View Image
  • Copy Image
  • Copy Image Location
  • Save Image As
  • Email Image
  • View Image Info

If only the option to Set as Desktop Background is missing, as a temporary workaround, you could save the image to a local folder and then set it as the background from there.

If those are all missing, do you see this:

  • View Background Image

If so, either click that or, to open it in a new tab, Ctrl+click that, then you should be able to right-click the image and use the standard options.

If there is absolutely nothing image related, there might be a transparent element in front of the image blocking right-clicks directly on it. In that case, you usually can save the image from the Media panel in the Page Info dialog. You can open the dialog using either

  • right-click and choose View Page Info > Media
  • (menu bar) Tools menu > Page Info > Media
  • click the padlock or globe icon to the left of the site address > More Information > Media

If you click the first item in the list, a preview should appear. Then you can arrow down until you find the image you want and use Save As.

Hopefully one of these methods will work out for you!

Okulungisiwe ngu jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

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So sorry but nothing happened. Thanks anyway

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Can't you download and save the image that you want, and then select it from where you saved it on your computer?


And it might provide helpful is you answered the questions that our support contributors ask you.

jscher2000 said

Hi binmay, when you right-click the image, do you have any of these other typical image options:
  • View Image
  • Copy Image
  • Copy Image Location
  • Save Image As
  • Email Image
  • View Image Info
If only the option to Set as Desktop Background is missing, as a temporary workaround, you could save the image to a local folder and then set it as the background from there. If those are all missing, do you see this:
  • View Background Image
If so, either click that or, to open it in a new tab, Ctrl+click that, then you should be able to right-click the image and use the standard options. If there is absolutely nothing image related, there might be a transparent element in front of the image blocking right-clicks directly on it. In that case, you usually can save the image from the Media panel in the Page Info dialog. You can open the dialog using either
  • right-click and choose View Page Info > Media
  • (menu bar) Tools menu > Page Info > Media
  • click the padlock or globe icon to the left of the site address > More Information > Media
If you click the first item in the list, a preview should appear. Then you can arrow down until you find the image you want and use Save As. Hopefully one of these methods will work out for you!

Unfortunately, the first question didn't have a question mark for completion of the question, but rather has a colon. "Hi binmay, when you right-click the image, do you have any of these other typical image options:"

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As I previously explained to binmay it appears from my research that the set as desktop background feature when right clicking an image was most likely removed due to a security update. I am busy at the moment but I will come back to this with the correct solution please be patient. And binmay i am sure it can get a little fustrating with these automated responses they keep using to solve your issue. Someone needs to take a moment to provide you actual technical assistance.

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Thank you, I don't mind peoples suggestions. I will be away for he day but any ideas would be helpful

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No problem I plan on fixing this with you without uninstalling any update.. Meanwhile make sure your computer is fully updated..

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Hi prest0n1337, you said

As I previously explained to binmay it appears from my research that the set as desktop background feature when right clicking an image was most likely removed due to a security update.

A security update in Windows XP? Firefox 41 has a change related to this feature (bug 1135933), but that doesn't affect Firefox 39.

On Windows 7 I still have "Set As Desktop Background..." on my right-click context menu -- I don't use AVG.

Is yours missing?


There certainly are ways to hide that item using an add-on or custom style rule (e.g., http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows.../125990-mozilla-firefox-how-get-rid-set-desktop-background-menu-option.html#post1077595), but those would be disabled in Firefox's Safe Mode. To test:

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement?


Firefox won't show the menu item if it cannot start the "shell" service, which is a component used to interact with the Windows registry. I'm not sure why that would ever be blocked, but perhaps permission issues?

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Hi binmay, when you wrote:

So sorry but nothing happened. Thanks anyway

Which test did you try? I had listed several different possibilities: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1075183#answer-761700

Could you also test using another photo, for example (screen shot attached for comparison): http://www.jeffersonscher.com/photos/Maui07/photo/Fish6-Honolua-0939

(Also, I'm offended that someone referred to my post as an automated response. I had to type that out by hand and I am not a "bot".)

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That offended me too, as a long time fellow support contributor here!

rude comments covering that offense redacted

Unfair of me to attempt to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.

Okulungisiwe ngu the-edmeister

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I am well aware of the end of life date for Windows XP, I was not speaking about a new update. I will not even talk with you about this anymore you are rude and condescending. The automated response I did speak of was the one where you copy pasta the common responses. Nothing wrong with that as long as its relevant. I am not here so you can be rude to me thanks.

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I am a real amateur with computers for sure. Thank you to all of you for your interest. I am able to use my own saved pics with the save to desktop? Unfortunately your suggestions didn't help. I have gone to different places to try saving other pics but when I right click on the pic this is what comes up. Open link in new tab, open link in new window, open link in new private window, bookmark this link, save link as, copy link location, view image, copy image, copy image location, save image as, e-mail image, view image info, inspect element I have tried all of the suggestions but nothing will work.

I do remember downloading the avg pc analyzer on Wednesday July 27. I wanted to change my wallpaper yesterday and that's when it wouldn't work. Maybe that remove the desktop command.  Any new ideas always welcome.
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