Kim Gentes

If you have Windows 7 you may be using the feed feature to update a constant stream of background images to keep your desktop fresh.  If you are like me, occasionally a family member sees your background image and wants to use it, but they don't want to be on a feed for changing it regular. Or maybe you just love the background image and want to save it and make it your permanent image. Windows 7 allows you to access images in such a feed, and then you can save them offline for permanent setting.  Here is how.

First, move your cursor to your desktop and click the right-mouse button. This will reveal a context mini-menu.

From that menu, select "Personalize" (normally, the last option). This will open up the Control Panel applet for personalization. One of the themes in use will be selected. If you want to access pictures from any other place than the current one in use, select that theme now.

At the bottom of the applet frame you will see an icon labele "Desktop Background" with the words "Slide Show" undernearth.  Select that link.

This will open up the library of images in the theme/feed you are interested in. Scroll down to the image you are interested in and right-mouse click the image. If your theme is a feed from the internet, this will bring up a security warning.

Select "OK" if you get the security warning (assuming your image feed/theme is secure and ok). 

This will bring up another mini-menu. Select the "Preview" option on the mini-menu. 

This will open the image in the Windows Preview browser.

Use the "File" menu on the Windows Preview application. Use the "Make Copy" option and save a copy of the image file to your desired location. 

You now have a copy of the desktop image from your theme or feed.

Kim Gentes