How to Remove an Annoying Background Change Script on Windows 10

If you’ve ever found an unexpected change on your computer that leaves you scratching your head, you’re not alone. A friend recently left me with a quirky situation: a script running on my Windows 10 laptop that periodically changes my background to a picture of two monkeys. While amusing, it quickly became frustrating and prompted me to take action.

Understanding the Script

The script, crafted in just a few minutes, changes my desktop wallpaper every 10,000 seconds or whenever I start my computer. Intrigued by this simple yet effective prank, I set out to locate and eliminate it.

It seems to be a straightforward piece of code, likely written in VBScript. I suspected that finding it wouldn’t take long. However, my initial search for a .bat file didn’t yield any results. Instead, I scoured my system for images modified around the same time I discovered the prank, leading me to a related image file.

My Investigation

During my search, I came across a file I didn’t recognize and realized it was a significant clue. I promptly deleted the image, disabled its startup in the task manager, and retrieved the VBScript for your reference. This is the script I found:

“`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
wscript.sleep 3000
shell.Run “%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,UpdatePerUserSystemParameters”, 1, True
wscript.sleep 10000
Loop
“`

With hope, I restarted my laptop, anticipating a return to normalcy. However, the mischievous monkeys appeared once again—this time, I discovered another copy of the script hidden in a different directory on my system.

Resolving the Issue

After further investigation, I found the script in a location I hadn’t expected. Thankfully, I managed to remove it from both my startup programs and the task scheduler, halting the wallpaper changes once and for all.

Final Thoughts

If you ever find yourself in a similar predicament, consider checking locations where unexpected files might reside, such as the task scheduler and startup programs. Be thorough in your search