Where Does Windows 7 Store The Desktop Background?

In Windows 7, the active wallpaper is cached as TranscodedWallpaper.jpg in your Themes folder, while default images live in C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper.

If you’re hunting for the exact folder that holds your wallpaper on a Windows 7 PC, you’re in the right place. This guide shows every place Windows 7 keeps desktop images, how the cache works, and simple ways to grab, back up, or reset your background without guesswork.

Windows 7 Desktop Background File Locations Explained

Windows 7 uses a few locations for backgrounds. One stores the default images that ship with the system. Another stores a transcoded copy of the picture you chose. You may also have theme folders that contain multiple images when you installed a .themepack or saved a custom theme.

The Cached Copy Windows Uses On Your Desktop

When you set any picture as your desktop, Windows 7 writes a processed copy named TranscodedWallpaper.jpg to this path:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\TranscodedWallpaper.jpg

This cached file is what the desktop actually displays. That design keeps the wallpaper stable even if you move or delete the original picture. If you delete the cached file, Windows will regenerate it the next time you pick a background.

The Built-In Wallpaper Collection

The default background packs live here:

C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper\

Inside are category folders like Windows and Architecture. You can copy from here for personal use. If you don’t see the folder, make sure you’re looking on the system drive and that you have permission to browse C:\Windows.

Your Saved Themes And Downloaded Theme Packs

If you saved a custom theme or installed a theme pack, Windows may place images in your profile under one or both of these locations:

%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\

Saved themes usually sit under %LocalAppData%. The transcoded cache and slideshow settings live under %AppData%. If you like using theme packs, Microsoft’s page on Windows themes explains how packs work and how to add them.

How To Jump Straight To The Right Folder

You don’t need to click through every directory. Use these quick steps:

Open The Active Wallpaper Cache

Press Win + R, paste the line below, and press Enter:
```
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes
```
Look for TranscodedWallpaper.jpg. That’s the file your desktop is showing now.

Open The Default Image Packs

Press Win + R, paste the line below, and press Enter:
```
C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper
```
Browse the category folders and copy any image you want to reuse.

Open Your Saved Themes

Press Win + R, then run:
```
%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes
```
Check image folders inside any theme you saved.

Find The Original File Path Of Your Current Background

Sometimes you want the source image, not the cached copy. If you set the picture from a local folder and it still exists, Windows keeps a pointer to it in the registry. You can read it safely.

Read The Registry Pointer (Safe, Read-Only)

Press Win + R, type cmd, press Enter.
Run this command to print the path Windows last recorded for the background:
```
reg query "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop" /v Wallpaper
```

If the listed file still exists, that’s your original. If it doesn’t, the cached TranscodedWallpaper.jpg is your best copy.

When The Pointer Isn’t Helpful

If you set the background from a web browser or a temporary folder, the original may be gone. In that case, copy the cached file to a safe place and rename it if you like. The cache is already a standard JPEG.

Fix Common Background Problems In Minutes

Background Does Not Change

If the desktop refuses to switch backgrounds, the cache may be stuck. Try this:

Open:
```
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes
```
Delete TranscodedWallpaper.jpg. If you see a CachedFiles folder, delete it too.
Restart the PC, then choose a new image.

Slide Show Doesn’t Rotate

Slide shows rely on a folder of images and a small settings file in the same Themes path. If rotation stops, re-select the image folder in Personalization and pick a time interval. Microsoft’s guide for changing backgrounds covers the steps and limits across editions: see Change the desktop background.

Hidden AppData Folder

If you can’t find AppData, enable hidden items:

Open any folder, press Alt to show the menu bar.
Click Tools > Folder options > View.
Select Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Click OK.

Quick Ways To Back Up Or Reuse Favorite Backgrounds

Copy The Cache As A New File

Go to:
```
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes
```
Copy TranscodedWallpaper.jpg to a safe folder, such as Pictures\Wallpapers.

Create A Personal Wallpaper Folder

Make a folder, for example:
```
C:\Users\<YourName>\Pictures\Wallpapers
```
Place your images inside. Then set the desktop to use that folder, or save a theme that points to it.

Extract Images From A Theme Pack

Theme packs are just compressed bundles. You can open them with a zip tool and pull out the pictures to use elsewhere. Microsoft’s themes page linked above explains how to install them; once downloaded, you can keep the images for your collection.

Power Tips For Power Users

Open The Themes Folder With A Single Command

Paste either line into Win + R:

explorer.exe "%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes"
explorer.exe "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes"

Jump To The Default Wallpaper Library

explorer.exe "C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper"

Check The Logged Wallpaper Path From The Registry

reg query "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop" /v Wallpaper

What Each Location Contains (Quick Reference)

Location	What You’ll Find	Use It For
`%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\TranscodedWallpaper.jpg`	The cached image Windows shows on your desktop	Grab the current background even if the original moved
`%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\`	Saved themes and images you stored with a theme	Back up your theme images or share with another PC
`C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper\`	Default wallpaper packs that ship with Windows 7	Copy clean originals of the built-in backgrounds

Edition Notes And Limits

Windows 7 editions differ a bit. Starter and some basic setups don’t include slide show features. If you’re missing options in Personalization, set a single picture manually or install a theme that contains one or more images. Microsoft’s help pages on shuffling backgrounds and using themes provide the official word on availability by edition and the steps to change images.

Clean-Up Checklist When Backgrounds Misbehave

Clear the cache: delete TranscodedWallpaper.jpg (and any CachedFiles folder) under the Themes path; then pick a new picture.
Verify the source folder still exists if you rely on a local image set for slide show.
Avoid network locations if your PC goes offline often; copy images locally.
Stick with common formats like .jpg and .png at your screen’s native resolution.

Now You Know Exactly Where To Look

You’ve got three key places to check: the Themes cache for the file that’s on screen, your user theme folders for saved sets, and the system wallpaper library for the stock images. With the paths and commands above, you can trace any Windows 7 desktop image in seconds and back it up for safe keeping.