Resolving an Unwanted Background Change: A DIY Fix

It’s not uncommon for friends to pull pranks on one another, but sometimes those pranks can lead to a few technical headaches. Recently, a friend of mine found an unexpected challenge when a script was left on their Windows 10 laptop, causing the background to change periodically to a whimsical image of two monkeys. If you’re facing a similar issue or just want to remove such a script from your computer, here’s a walkthrough of the process.

Understanding the Script

The script in question was created quickly, and it operates by changing the desktop wallpaper every 10,000 seconds (or whenever the laptop is turned on). The image used was a humorous one that some might find amusing, but for others, it can become an annoyance. If you suspect that you have a similar script running on your system, it’s crucial to correctly identify and remove it.

Steps to Locate and Remove the Script

1. Searching for Files:
   If you suspect a script is running, start by searching for files with extensions commonly associated with scripts, like .bat or .vbs. You can do this through the file search option in Windows Explorer. In this specific case, the user searched for files modified recently but initially had no success.

2. Identifying Suspicious Images:
   A quick look for the image responsible for the wallpaper change can yield clues. Images with timestamps that correlate to recent activity can be checked, as they might reveal where the script is pulling its background image from.

3. Reviewing System Startup:
   Check the Task Manager for programs that run at startup. This can help you disable any rogue entries that automatically launch scripts. Look specifically in the Startup tab and the Task Scheduler for odd occurrences.

4. Analyzing the Script Code:
   If you find a script file, take a closer look at the code it contains. In the example above, the script was written in VBScript. Understanding the structure of the script can provide insights into what it does and how it operates.

The following snippet illustrates how the original script was structured:

“`vbscript
Dim shell : Set shell = CreateObject(“WScript.Shell”)
Dim wallpaper : wallpaper = “C:\Intel\download.jpg”
Set oSHApp = CreateObject(“Shell.Application”)

Do While True
shell.RegWrite “HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop\Wallpaper”, wallpaper