How to give your USB devices a Background Image
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or get daily updates via E-mail. Thanks for visiting!
For another useful USB tutorial on recovering deleted files from USB drives, click here.
I suppose we all have tried to give background images to our desktop folders. How about setting the same background to our USB devices (Pen drive, Portable Hard Disks etc.) as well? That background image will be seen on every computer you plug in that USB device.
It’s really a 3 step process. Let’s begin:-
1.) Copy Paste the following code in the notepad and rename that notepad file to desktop.ini (Just make sure when you paste this code, the Double Quotes are in Notepad format otherwise type the Double quotes manually from your keyboard.)
[{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}]
iconarea_image=“back.jpg”
iconarea_text=”0xFFFFFF”
2.) Choose any image of your choice and rename it to back.jpg
3.) Copy Paste both these files (i.e. desktop.ini and back.jpg) into your USB device and make them hidden by selecting Properties -> Hidden Files.
That’s it. You are done.
Just REFRESH your screen and you will see your image on background.
So, how you feel about this technique?
Is this image for the background of explorer when you open the drive? Or is it the icon which shows up when you insert the drive?
Yeah, this is for the explorer background not that icon one.
I have added the screen shot.
So, I must change the file extention to JPG ?…I’ll try to put my own photo as my USB pen background :). Thanks for the nice tip
Go Ahead!!!
Thanks for your comments.
Hi Rakshit,
Thanks for responing my comment. I’ll change the code instead
…
Nice tip. I wonder is there any software that can do that?
Working with softwares is always easy but I prefer to avoid the use of softwares for simple things like the one above.
What say?
i followed all the instruction, why does the background image that i put is not showing.
It will work for sure. I have mentioned this in my article. Go through it in detail.
If the problem persists, reply back and I’ll surely solve your problem.
now its working…thanks!
Is there anyway to do this for the subfolders? Or does this only work on the root of the drive?
I tried this in Vista and can’t get it work on my Kingston usb drive. I retyped the quotes and tried several times but still no luck. Is it Vista?
Thanks
Great article! Works fine but just wondering, how could you make it so that the picture didn’t tile or was centered with a paticular background colour?
Thanks so much
This apparently doesn’t wok in Vista, I plugged my usb drive into an XP machine and it works fine.
I couldn’t get it to work in Vista either.
you can use: windowpaper XP
Brilliant man! I’m going to use this
thanks for the great tip. Thats a nice idea to make things seem a bit more colorful.
Matts last blog post… Commenting: Does This Help Your PR?
This works only for the root folder. Perhaps, there must be some utility for adding same images to all subfolders. Will let you know as soon as I find it out.
@Wicked
Yes, this code works only in XP. Thanks for testing and replying back again.
@Andy
Thanks for the appreciation. Well, the background picture is large enough to fit in the complete window. Its of higher resolution.
As Wicked pointed out earlier, it works only in Win XP.
@Frank uk
Never tried windowpaper xp before. Downloading it right now. Thanks for sharing it with us.
@Alexandru Strimbeanu and Matt
Try it and am sure you will find it useful.
nice move, but I doubt it’ll always work, have the same issue with some of my homebrew icons not working, even when the desktop.ini file is correct
any way of extending your technique to mac and perhaps linux? would be nice to combine them all in one handy file…
guess that’s just wishful thinking.
It worked for me in all the cases so far. Their may be some. Don’t know yet.
Thanks! works perfectly on my usb…
THEIR IS SOFTWARE FOR THIS
i have an artical on my site about this but i found some software to do this. its inbuilt into windows 98 iv posted it on my site http://dots.webhop.org/files/change_folder_background.exe
just put it in the folder you want to change run it and it will talk you trough the rest.
Is there a way to make it change your desktop background image to whatever the image is in the USB.
Would be useful when using other computers that aren’t yours.
Good to know that.
@Macus
Will surely try it out the software you mentioned. Thanks for contributing to the article.
@Carlos
Well, never heard about that. But surely will let you know soon.
great tip.thx i will show to my friends
Hi Rakshit,
Thanks for this wonderful tip. Makes the USB more colorful. Just wanted to know, what is the solution if one wants to change the image after a while or wants no image atall? Does one just delete the USB code file?
Lemme know to email when you answer.
Thanks and cheers.
If you like to change the image, just replace the file back.jpg with some other image file. Make sure to rename the new file with the same name i.e. back.jpg
Also, if you do not want any image, just delete the same back.jpg file. No need to delete the code file. You may use it some time later.
Dear Rakshit,
Hi. I tried this umpteen no. of times but its not working with my Sandisk Cruzr Pendrive. I retyped the double quotes and when i found that the image was in jpeg format then i changed the code to jpeg and renamed the image as back.jpeg( earlier i named it as back.jpg) but the file type had remained jpeg.
I also deselected the archive box and vice a versa when doing the hidden option. All of the above but to no avail.
Am using Windows XP.
What cld be the reason. Please let me know. I want to give a pleasant surprise to my son.
Thanks.
You are making a simple mistake. See the image file you send it to me. The name of image file is “back.jpeg.jpg”. Rename it properly and it should work without any problem.
Do one thing, open My Computer, go to Tools -> Folder Options -> Views and uncheck Hide Extension for known file types checkbox. After that you could see the original full name of your image file. It should be back.jpeg.jpg. Rename it to back.jpeg or either back.jpg
do you know what is the software to change the entire background of desktop with music?
why is it the names of the files are deleted? how can i get it back?i didnt get the background i need..:c
Names are not deleted. See it carefully dear. You must have used a dark background. So, you may not be able to see the folder names which seems to be hidden behind that dark background.
i allow all the things already ? but my pendrive only can show the iconarea_text colour and havent c any background image?why?im using window xp too
Your image is of what extension? You must type that same extension in desktop.ini file as well… Just cross check. If you are using XP it should work without any problem.
how can make it center the image.. the size of the image is 640×480
OMG -0-; i fink i did somfing wrong ,…
like all the folders are there for my USB but i can’t see the names of my folders in the USB T_T someone help~ >0<
oh yea i can only see them when they are highlighted
can you help me or is it the background that i chose but i can’t even see the background
Just try changing the Background Image. It should work pretty fine.
Hi, I try to do like u say but it doesn’t work.. it’s make me bored.. I try so many timesbut it still doesn’t work.. can u help me.. I really want to change my background image.. thanks
hi i cant understand the double qoute??? what will i do?? the background is not working.maybe i dont follow the instruction but i cant understand it… please help!!!! thankssss a lotttt…
While you are copying and pasting the CODE given above, just delete the double quotes (” “) from that code and rewrite again.
It should work pretty fine. Reply back if you still face the same problem.
thanks its now working got it
does the code still works? i tried it so many times, with or without the double quotes, i even tried so many pictures… i really doesn’t work. can you help me? thanks.
Yes, the code works perfectly fine for Win XP operating system. Make sure the image you are using is of JPEG format only. Otherwise change the extension of image in the code accordingly.
its in jpeg format. but still it doesnt work.. the file names of my folders disappears unless highlight it.. what will i do?
what do u mean by changing the extnsion of the image.. thanks sir.
ck
do i really need to rewrite the code?
it still doesnt work on my usb..
hhmmm..sorry..newbie here =p
I ahve an ipod I am trying to do this too and it’s not working. I replaced the quotes… still not working. The extentions are correct…
It ended up working out. Just close it and reopen it. Refreshing the page does not work for me…
i’ve followed your instructions and even changed the double qoutes to notepad form but still i can’t view my background image. Instead, the folder names bacame invisible and i can’t bring them back
hey, thanks.i’ve finally done it .it looks great
to whom it may concern:
i would like to us if there is any code to place a background music in the usb.
thanks in advance..
more power….
hi rakshit,
how to fit my image to window?
i mean, i want that when i drag the right-bottom of my window, my background image should also fit my desired size of the window..
could you help please how to set that or what code should i add on desktop.ini?
thank you..
[{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}] can you explain this code to me…..pls…
hi pal,
i could hardly figure out your instuctions on how to put back ground image on the USB. . . i just want to enjoy the thing others enjoyed. . .
i have tried copying all the code in this format and posted it on notepad and saved it as desktop.ini. . i also selected an image and saved it as back.jpg and made the necessary settings. . . such as saving as hidden on the properties. . . but it doesn’t work. . .
[{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}]
iconarea_image=“back.jpg”
iconarea_text=”0xFFFFFF”
i am a little bit confused on what double qoutes is??? oh sorry but i’m not familiar with it. . . is it the ” or the [{ mark???? hoping to hear from you. . . thanks. . . u cud e-mail me at malik_warra_eee@hotmail.com. . . if it wont take much of your time. . . thanks again. . .
hi..Ive tried many times but still its not working…need help…huhuh
does this work for vista???or can you create one for both vista and xp?
i am using windowXP and tried this trick but no response is there. i also changed the double codes in notepad format manually. but its not working yet. plz help. my id is yash_vir1983@yahoo.com……….thanx
it work in my pc…but when i put in others pc the background not showing…
bettween that the background can fix in one place or not?
cuz when i scoll down the image repeating only…
Just wanted to say thanks…
i knew this trick back before but i forgot about it…
luckily i found ur website…
n might i add that ur one patient person…
the number of people asking the same thing again n again…
i would hope they just read and look for answers first before asking…
ibs’s last blog post… Shallow depth of field
i using window vista. i have try severel time of the solution. I dont know why i seem dont work. can u help me?
hello…can you help me to get code or put background in my USB???
OK……..thnx Let me know how I use this stuff for all windows?
it does not work on my usb :/ too bad…my usb is toshiba and i wonder mybe its not compatible or whatever
It doesn’t matter whether you USB is of Toshiba or for that matter any other company. It depends on Operating System on which you are connecting your USB to. It will not work in Vista Operating System.
is it possible to us .gif to make usb background?
johnedel’s last blog post… How To Get Rid Of Programs You Didn’t Install
ahm..me i ask how to find the qoutes to rename?
Quotes means that double quote symbol - (”")
Got it?
hello sir Rakshit,,
i really couldn’t find th errors,,
i can’t put the back ground…
uhuhuh,,,
help me,,
i named my picture as back.jpg and my notepad as desktop.ini..
but nothing happens after i hide it in my USB…
uhuhuh…
hello rakshitk!!!!!! i just want to say super thanks for your tips….i love it!!! just continue doing this….its so nice…
i will read later your tips about recovering files in usb….. thank you once again….
=)
hello rakshit,
thanks for the tip about “backround in usb”… actually i have a code before on this but i have deleted it… thats why i search for some tips and code here on the internet…
thanks for all the details..I have leraned too much regarding with this,; how to make a usb background
I ask also that:
How to change icon on your drive it is contents also of codes????
i have my background now thnx… question how i will change the font color to costumize my usb more…
iconarea_text=”0xFF00FF00″ > i use this code but the filename remain black.the area text only change to green
iconarea_text=”0xFF00FF” > if this the filename change to pink so as the area text
hi friend.
i dont know how…
pls help me…
i’ve followed your instructions and even changed the double qoutes to notepad form but still i can’t view my background image. Instead, the folder names bacame invisible and i can’t bring them back
Try different image. It should work.
hi dear..
the cade doesnt work..
i’d tried it many times but nothing happens,.
please help i really want to have that..
same code..at the same time i follow all struction given but is doesnt work..
huhuhu..
please help me.. tnx
godblezz..
please reply..tnx
Did you try changing the double quotes? Change it to notepad format, it should work pretty fine. Also, make sure their is no other desktop.ini file present in that directory.
Please feel free to get back to me in case of any issues.
yes.. id tried changing it..and also there’s no other desktop.ini on any of my files.. but still nothing happens..
why it did not appear on my flash drive..what’s wrong??
please help..
tnx..
Could you please tell us know which Operating System are you using, is it XP or Vista or anyother?
This code will work only in OS XP and below versions not in Vista.
Did you try changing some other picture?
hei dear,.
im using OS XP..
i have now the background pic on my usb..
but i’d use other codes given by my friend.
its ok now.
its working..
wanw have some codes?tnx for entertaining me.
tnx to all advise..
god blez.
god speed.
tc.
hi…i’m also newbie about this..can you tell me how to put a background image into a center position (usb)???..please i need your help…thanks a lot..
hi can i just how would you apply the image on all the sub folders the image only work in the main window but when i try to enter a folder it goes back to the boring white any answers pls?
hi there,, how can i make my desktop image fix…???
not scrollable,,, coz it is!!
plz email me at revile_69@yahoo.com…
revile’s last blog post… Message: Now I Understand!
i juz cant get the desktop.ini..kindly tell me how?starting from the beginning pls…there are no choices for the file type of the notepad.txt except for save file type as “All files”or as notepad.txt..only two..
im anticipating for a pleasant response on this..
thank you!
how to put my image? i cant really understand it.
hy rakshit
i did follow ur instructions very carefully. um using OS XP and i even did change the double quotes..bt still its nt workin on ma pendrive.
plzz help me
uhm, what should i do? i want to rechange the background again, what should i do?
ty
wow..how to change the font color and size?.. i had my background now..so cool..steps are very easy…
thanks for ur solution …
and I wanna if u know how I can make folders protected like passwords or anything I can trusted otherwise hide the folders
thanks again
ZEROMAN
superbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
The notepad wont go to .ini
i renamed it desktop.ini but its still a notepad
wat do i do?
Rakshitk can you help me because the pic is not appare in my usb….you reply in my friendster my email is david_dac23@yahoo.com
Get back to me if you need further information of that.
how can i make my background image center and no repeat….
im just a newbie…
hehehehe….
another one can i change the font size and color of my file….
im just wondering if that could be possible….
keeewl! LABIT!:D
nadine’s last blog post… EXAM DAYS err WEEKS.
yes i did apply the background but its like not working on its subfolders???
how can i put an image background on the subfolders on my flask disk????
kindly help me….
Thanks…….
It’s so nice……….
My friends are very eager to know how to put a background image in their flash drives…..
Can I also put backgroound image on sub-folders of my USB?
T.y.
How can I change the color of my file names……..
Just wondering >>>>>>
the code works, but i would appreciate it more if the code would work also in subfolders so that even i open a folder in my USB the background will still be seen….can you help me?
Yeah this did not work for me at all, I followed every step and tried three times. All that is different now is I cant see anything but the little picture icons in My documents (Veiw is set to details)
hi rakshitk,,,,,,,i follow your instruction already but no one can change into my usb the image cannot appear…plz help me,,,,,,,how can i put image in my usb.???just email me this cristenalyncuevas@yahoo.com
i already did the tutorial, but it didn’t work on my usb background, i already did:
- copy the text and rename it as desktop.ini
- rename the jpg text same as my own pic name, ex : blabla.jpg
- copy and paste them to my usb
but it all didnt work
how come? did i make a wrong way
tengkyu
hi Rakshit why wouldn’t this USB background thing work in vista. i use vista and i wuld like to have it.is there any way out.
Thanx in advance
Dear Rackshit
How does it work i try the code above you say
its not working im pen drive
hey rakshit, nice post
just keep on
but tell me one thing. Is this thing only for usb drive and not for any folder?
is there anything that u can tell us to change folder background image?
thanx again
,,,,hi..please help me..l try to put a background image on my usb,but it doesnt applied,instead it hidden the name and other info of my files….
….please help me..thank you…….
..please send an answer on my fs account,,,,dark_oracle013@yahoo.com..
..tnxu so much…
..
Please help me..I tried to put a background image in my usb it works but my files in my documents are all invisible instead…
What I am going to do to put back all my files (in documents)to show again? please help and teach me…
thanks….
guy..I follow all instruction..But its not working..huhuhu
anybody..who can teach me???
it didn’t work, why?
franklin’s last blog post… How To Get Rid Of Programs You Didn’t Install
for vista user …check out
http://www.aveapps.com/folderbg.html
ahmmm.. how can i change my font after changing the background?
it’s not working in my pc but in my friend’s pc it is workiing. is it because my os is vista? answer me pls..tnx
Please help me..I tried to put a background image in my usb it works but my files in my documents are all invisible instead…
What I am going to do to put back all my files (in documents)to show again? please help and teach me…
thanks….
windows7tutorial’s last blog post… Windows 7 Build 7262 Ready To RTM
Thanks bro!
i did change the flash desk background but it is not in Stretch position i want this in Stretch position view , now it is in title view . so plz help me how can i change its view position like desktop properties.if any one knows email me or here guide me plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. you can email me kkreal_eyes@yahoo.com
May 8th, 2008 at 11:34 am
[…] How to give your USB devices a Background Image - Rakshit gives a tutorial on how to add a background image to USB drives. […]
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
[…] a great success of my previous article about setting background images to the USB drives, here comes another USB related tutorial which I am sure many would love to […]
Jun 3rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
[…] How to give your USB devices a Background Image […]