Windows 7 Task Scheduler & Python - Wallpaper doesn't change

Question

I am attempting to run a Python script every five minutes to update a Windows 7 desktop background. It runs perfectly when started from the command-line, but not as a scheduled task.

The relevant code:

import ctypes

# According to MSDN/other websites
SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER = 20
# Update wallpaper
ctypes.windll.user32.SystemParametersInfoA(SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER, 0, pathToWallpaper, 0)

The scheduled task runs, and my temporary .bmp (at pathToWallpaper) is created, but the desktop doesn't update. I've tried changing the task permissions to no avail.

What am I missing? Thanks in advance for your help!

You're missing the wallpaper rotation feature built into Windows 7. ;) — Adam Lear, Dec 10 '10 at 01:14
I'm updating the same image every five minutes, so that feature sadly doesn't help. — arboc7, Dec 10 '10 at 01:15

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 10 '10 at 01:34

5

Make sure that the scheduled task is running with the same privilege as you.

answered Dec 10 '10 at 01:34

Utku Zihnioglu

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Solved! Must run only when user is logged in. – arboc7 Dec 10 '10 at 01:39

Windows 7 Task Scheduler & Python - Wallpaper doesn't change

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