Wallchanger

One of the first aspect everyone’s looking to change after a fresh install of Windows is the wallpaper. Luckily, default options allow you to create different profiles, each with its own set of pictures that change at specific times. What’s more, this simple activity can be greatly enhanced with applications like Wallchanger.

As the name suggests, the application’s core function is to help create an automated wallpaper changing mechanism, by configuring several parameters. The first time it runs, you’re asked to pick a folder to act as a source. In case you got it wrong, there’s the possibility to choose again, but only one can be made active at a time.

What’s more, the application doesn’t provide a list of items contained inside the source folder, so you need to make sure it doesn’t contain anything else other than pictures you want to end up on your desktop. Dragging folders over the main window is not possibly.

When loaded, the first image is shown in a preview pane that’s split into two section, one to show the current wallpaper, while the other shows the next, the first in line. You can manually scroll through folder content, and also pick layout option, which can be tiled, stretched, or centered.

Before applying the next wallpaper, there’s the possibility to have it changed at every system startup, for more diversity. Unfortunately, one important aspect is missing, and that’s the option to set frequency of change. Scheduling is not included, and every new wallpaper either comes up at startup, or if you manually change it.

To be fair, Wallchanger doesn’t bring anything new on the block, and moreover, it doesn’t even manage to rise above what Windows already lets you do by default. The visual design is simple, with all functions in plain sight, but the lack of a scheduler, or general preview of all pictures have an impact on overall practicality.