Around the world with Windows 7 wallpapers

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Geoff Spick17 April 2009, 8:00 AM

Install the beta of Windows 7 for different countries and you now get a cool set of individual wallpapers -- so who's got the best scenery?


Windows 3.1 came with a plain cyan background while 95 had a sea-greeny-blue tinge to it. XP gave us some rolling green hills, a soothing background to the working day while Windows Vista went for an aurora australis light-effect, among many others. Windows 7 will go even further, giving each country a range of backgrounds that highlight the landscape, architecture and skylines of each nation.



In Russia, desktop wallpapers you

Hopefully, all of these images will be available to all users, I mean what happens if you're an Australian working in a London office? In theory, just by jigging around with all the region settings that shouldn't matter, but what if you're not the one who sets up the computer?



If this is the view from your office window, you're very lucky!

Also, it'd still be cool to choose from all the other images tucked away on the install disc/file. One useful solution can be found online, you can find quite a few of the beta desktop sets for various countries listed on desktop and theme sites, such as WinThemes available for download already. Sites like this and Extremewallpaper also play host to some awesome custom designed themes and backgrounds that will make any desktop stand out!



You can find endless cool custom themes online

With all these options available, it looks like no one desktop need ever look the same again, perhaps even those dusty corporations will be forced to come up with something better than a stuffy logo on every desktop.

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agami (User):

So they can select a desktop theme related to my Country setting selection but I bet during install they'll still default to some preset timezone.

17 April 2009, 9:39 AM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (Advanced Forumologist):

Don't worry too much about that "agami" I just grab whatever photos I have on the "My Pictures" folder at the time and use them for a back- ground. I got a really cool one of an early Rolling Stones cover at the moment :)

17 April 2009, 10:49 AM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Mark N (New user):

Why does the default scene for anything Australian have to be the opera house or harbour bridge? Fail for all of us outside of Sydney.

17 April 2009, 2:16 PM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Carmar (User):

So if it depends on timezones how will it know what country you are in? (Think of Europe/Africa). And does anyone even mildly techie use the default Windows wallpaper? It would actually be an interesting study to see the type of wallpapers people use - I am sure my pictures of scenery totally devoid of any human presence says a lot about my attitude to clients/normal work day! (We won't go there!)

17 April 2009, 2:26 PM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Potoroo (User):

Sydney. Yawn.

17 April 2009, 2:47 PM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Jealously, it must eat you away!

17 April 2009, 6:02 PM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

If this is the view from your office window, you're very lucky!

If that is the view from your office, your a bridge rigger.

17 April 2009, 6:00 PM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

jake (User):

exactly what i was going to say

18 April 2009, 11:55 AM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

straker135 (User):

For those who haven't already found it the 'national' themes and wallpapers are in C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT. You will need to set folder options to display hidden system files. The English beta (Build 7000) has themes for the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and South Africa but those for Canada, Australia and South Africa are just the same set of generic and non-national nature images for all three. Later builds have different images cropping up as above. The globalisation folders also contain links, RSS feed, theme and wallpaper. Yet to be properly fleshed out. The RC should have more individualised content, if not the RTM must otherwise there isn't a lot of point.

18 April 2009, 2:08 PM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (Advanced Forumologist):

Quoting straker135:
The RC should have more individualised content, if not the RTM must otherwise there isn't a lot of point.

Yea absolutely Yawwwwwwwwn Where's My Weetbix








20 April 2009, 10:47 AM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Penguin (Cornerstone member):

Go on Microsoft, give us some pictures of Kings Park or Floriade perhaps?

19 April 2009, 1:11 AM (7 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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