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How do I set the desktop background on Windows from a script? from 2008 has 8 answers,

  • the OP usercard shows the OP user name but not a link to their profile.
  • It hasn't an accepted answer.
  • none of the answers fully address what was asked by the OP as all missed the part related to "some kind of scheduled task".
  • Some answers are recommending software.
  • Some answers are about command lines
  • Some answers are asing files to handle command lines, one use a .bat file another use a .ps file.
  • One answer is about using a vbs script.
  • One answer is about using Python.

It's not clear that most of the answers nowadays works with Windows XP, the version of Windows mentioned by the OP and correspoing to the versioned tag used: .

I don't know what is the stand of SU in regard old questions about outdated versions of Windows getting answers tested on newer versions instead of the version specified in the question.

I'm wondering if

Responses

Response Summary Score +/ 0 / - Related Tags
1st from 2008. Recommends a system util called bginfo. Includes a link to an artile that claims be published on September 2022. According to the linked page, the utility works for Windows 8.1 and higher and Windows Server 2012 and higher. +
2nd from 2008. Provide a command-line a brief instructions. +
3rd from 2011. Provides code to be saved as a batch file (.bat) and brief instructions. +
4th from 2012. Suggest to create Console App with a SharpDevelop. Provide very brief instructions and code. Mentions that was tested in a specific edition of Windows 7. +
5th from 2017, for Windows 7. Provides command lines. 0 ,
6th from 2019, vbs script. Provides script and brief instructions. + 
7th from 2020, use PowerShell. Provides reference and code. 0
8th from 2021, use Python. Provides reference and code. +

While I was searching about how similar questions were tagged, I found some that might be duplicates. The purpose of adding these questions here is just to help regarding the tags

Possible duplicates Tags
Schedule Windows XP wallpaper change without additional apps
How to set custom JPG wallpaper using script for new user accounts (WinXP)
Automatic change wallpaper at specific time

While non of these questions includes tags related to the Windows registry, the question in focus mentions that the OP used a script to modify a Windows registry key. Several answers having a script, what the script do is to modify the registry.

Considering the above, I'm wondering if the should be added.

Related

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    "the OP usercard shows the OP user name but not a link to their profile" - IIRC its a deleted account from before deleted accounts were anonymoised.
    – Journeyman Geek Mod
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 4:42
  • @JourneymanGeek Thanks for the clarification.
    – user152004
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 14:39
  • I think that it might also helpful to include regedit / windows-registry
    – user152004
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 15:14
  • 1
    On the other hand - in hindsight, the registry wasn't the 'best' way to resolve the issue - and it would potentially invalidate most of the answers
    – Journeyman Geek Mod
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 15:17
  • Considering that the OP mentioned that he used a "cscript" and modified a registry key, is not extrange that the question attracted scripts to modify in one way or another the registry. I think that the seven answers that provided "scripts" didn't included fuller explanations that might be required when handling the registry. P.S. I don't know if 147k views in 14 years qualify the question as important, i.e. to add a bounty to ask for a canonical answer an in such case what could be an effective way to comunicate all the concerns. Do you think that might be worthy to offer a bounty?
    – user152004
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 20:29

2 Answers 2

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Do we really need to? Its different 'portable' approaches to a problem, and it isn't explicitly a gimme a codez question. Its also not a 'clear' software recommendation - but recommending software and the use of it is fine.

Even today, a question of that type could be asked in a way that's alright - it shows what OP has done and looked at, and their expected outcome.

It was clearly on topic when it was asked (and XP still isn't that retro is it?)

I'd say its fine to leave it as it is.

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  • Windows XP is quickly becoming retro, I would argue, Windows 7 might get there first due to the Windows Updates that blocked processors beyond a certain product generation. Windows XP oddly didn't receive a similar block. Of course very quickly, neither will run on modern processors, I expect the ability to boot to legacy operating systems to not be possible on newer processor within 3 years.
    – Ramhound
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 6:25
  • 'Sunsetting' on topicality is... an interesting thing. We've never done it, and a lot of things haven't changed between even 95 and 98. It'll probably need a meta post but I personally don't see the value in it
    – Journeyman Geek Mod
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 6:57
  • When I talk about legacy, talking about 32-bit, Intel and AMD are itching to kill support for 32-but operating systems. Takes a ton of silicon to support something that neither Linux, Apple, nor Windows is supporting in supported versions of their respective Operating Systems.
    – Ramhound
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 7:07
  • I have seen in several places in Meta Super User (MSU) that questions that might look as a recommendation or that might be answering by providing a recommendation should not end in a broad list of things. I thought that this was some sort of SU concensus among the assidous MSU users.... anyway, lets put the "close as recommendation" part aside for a while, what about the tags? Should add tags based on the answers having a positive score? 6 of 8 answers have a positve score. I will add the tags and +/- of each answer in a moment.
    – user152004
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 14:53
  • It should not elicit a list, but there's often more than one approach to a problem. That it ends up being a list of 'full' answers on its own isn't an issue.
    – Journeyman Geek Mod
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 14:56
0

From The scope of the [windows] tag

Bear in mind that the tag is associated with the question rather than the answers. The answers should be responsive to the question but beyond that, answers can address other versions.

Conclusion regarding Windows tags, keep , do not add tags for other Windows versions.

Suggested to add

I'm still wondering if or might be better than .

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