Dual Monitors: Use a Different Wallpaper on Each Desktop in Vista or XP
One of the most popular articles around here has been the article I wrote a year ago about using different wallpapers on each desktop using Active Desktop in Windows XP. The problem with that article is that it didn't work in Windows Vista… but now we have a great solution that is also free.
Instead of paying money for software to use separate wallpapers, or creating a wallpaper in Photoshop, Jon Tackabury has created a Free piece of software that lets you easily set separate wallpapers for each desktop.
Once the software is installed, you'll notice a new tray icon. Clicking the Desktop Wallpaper item from the menu will open up the dialog where you can set the wallpaper.
You can click on each desktop in the display, and set display settings differently for each monitor, or span the wallpaper across the two.
Or you can even load wallpaper from Flickr, which is an incredibly cool feature. Type in "vista wallpaper" for some really nice images.
If you chose the Settings from the tray icon popup menu, you'll notice that this application also adds a set of shortcut keys that can be used to move windows from one monitor to the other.
This is now a must-have application for my multi-monitor configuration. This application is donationware, which means you don't have to donate anything, but you really should consider it.
Download DisplayFusion from Binaryfortress (Vista/XP)
Now if only we can find a wallpaper changer that does different wallpapers for each monitor. I'm still using this one that hasn't been updated since 2002.
http://www.wallpaperchanger.de/
thank you thank you thank you
ive been looking how to do this since ive had vista
i love my vista even more now
is there a way for Vista Ultimate to have a DreamScene video on one monitor and an image on the other?
When my windows Vista computer is locked then it shows background (wallpaper) on one of two monitors (main monitor). 2nd monitors just show blank screen. Is there any way to show background on both screen?
This saved me a LOT of time. I think you so very much.
does this product have support with dreamscene? and if not will it in the future?
Thank you for this page, I have been trying to fix my dual monitor setup for months!
Now I need to figure out how to make the taskbar streach across to the other monitor like it did in xp.
Thank you so very much, awesome article!!! awesome program!!!
Would also like to know if this will support Dreamscene?? I use Ultramon for the same thing at the moment, but it doesn't allow Mpgs. I would like to have dreamscene on monitor using dual sli and have a normal wallpaper on 2nd monitor using ATI card???
This helped do exactly what I wanted to do. Thank you.
This has really helped me out. I'm loving my dual-monitor setup now.
Thank you SO much!
2 Words.. Awsome
I have a slightly different problem (screensaver not wallpaper). I have identical monitors on Vista Home Premium and use Webshots as my screensaver. As I have 2k+ gorgeous photos in the program that change every five seconds, I would like to be able to either have both screens display one image or each display the same. Right now it's the screensaver on one and wallpaper on the other. Any great ideas here?
BTW….ditto on duplicating the tool or task bar to the second monitor!
How to connect two LCD Monitors in One System, Is there any dual output VGA Cable
Works perfect!! God Bless!
Thank you for this page, I have been trying to fix my dual monitor setup for months!
Now I need to figure out how to make the taskbar streach across to the other monitor like it did in xp.
Ultramon will do that for you.
Thanks!!!!
I was so happy about this…. I was waiting for this option… so let as use it… Thank you….
Wow… this is awsome, I have been traying to do this ever since I got two 28inch monitors. THANKS so much
Check out Johns Background Switcher instead. It is free (yes free, not trial ware) and does a lot more than this tool… I dont work for the guy, but I really love the product.
http://www.johnsadventures.com.....ndswitcher
OMG….
Kudos for you! I'm so in love with Vista now I think I'll take it on a date. Thanks for the help now my 22inch ViewSonics look better than ever.
I am wondering if this will work with more then two monitors? If it does I am going all crazy with a with quad monitor display.
New to Vista
When my windows Vista computer is locked then it shows background (wallpaper) on one of two monitors (main monitor). 2nd monitors just show blank screen. Is there any way to show background on both screen?
Your explanation for putting different wallpapers on dual monitors in Vista doesn't work for
me. I have a Nvidia card and can set up the 2 monitors ok. I have installed Display Fusion.
When I try to run Display Fusion it changes the resolution on the main monitor making
it so big I can't see the bottom half of the window. The binary fortress site won't respond
to the problem.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
The Version 2.1.1.0 of Display Fusion still doesn't work on Vista Business.
I have done the above and it doesn't work.
I have installed Microsoft.net 3.0 and that doesn't make any difference.
Thank you Jeff,
I now have Switchwesetup35.exe on my Puter running Vista business.
This is a program that can be found on www.johnsadventure.com.
It's working fine on two monitors with different resolutions
Good by Display Fusion.
Thanks for sharing this Jeff.
It works fantastically. ^^;
This is awesome!., this is exactly what i want it to be.,
Thanks though i hope it won't give me a problem in the future.
thanks. dope program what i was looking for. but i was wondering is there anyway u could have one huge background mine usually separates into 2 of the same one but now i can have 2 different ones thanks to you :] but i still want one huge background think u can help me out
hi, i have bought a samsung 32 inch lcd monitor and i spent 2 weeks searching for a cable that connects it to my hp laptop(vista preinstalled) because not any cable works (don;t know why) and finnaly i found one that works but the problem now is that the lcd won;t works under VISTAAAA ..it displays(mode not supported). is there any solution plz, if i installed the xp will it solve this problem beside there is this software from microsoft called "microsoft virtual mahcine" will this resolve the issue and the lcd monitor will recognise my laptop OS as an xp ??