Personalization Disable Desktop Wallpaper JPEG Quality Reduction in Windows 11


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Desktop_background_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the automatic import quality reduction of a JPG or JPEG desktop wallpaper for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

When you set an image as your desktop background wallpaper or slideshow, Windows will import a copy of this image and store it as the TranscodedWallpaper file in the %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes folder. Your desktop background wallpaper is loaded from this TranscodedWallpaper file cache.

If you select a JPG or JPEG image as your desktop background wallpaper, then Windows will automatically compress and reduce the quality of the imported copy to only 85% of the original JPG/JPEG image quality. This is done to help save disk space, RAM, and improve the performance of Windows while showing the desktop wallpaper image or when cycling wallpaper images during a desktop slideshow. Of course, the JPEG desktop wallpaper will not look as good as the original.

If you have a decent performing system, then you may wish to disable this automatic quality reduction of JPEG desktop wallpapers to have the imported image show with the full quality as the original JPEG image.


The automatic quality reduction only applies when using a JPG or JPEG image as your desktop background wallpaper.

Other file types (ex: PNG) are not affected by quality reduction.



EXAMPLE: TranscodedWallpaper file cache for desktop background wallpaper

TranscodedWallpaper.png



Here's How:

1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

2 Enable Desktop Wallpaper JPEG Quality Reduction

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Enable_JPEG_Desktop_wallpaper_import_quality.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"JPEGImportQuality"=-

3 Disable Desktop Wallpaper JPEG Quality Reduction

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Disable_JPEG_Desktop_wallpaper_import_quality.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"JPEGImportQuality"=dword:00000064

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Restart the computer to apply.

8 Change your desktop background wallpaper to the JPEG file you want to import a new copy for your applied changes.

9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

  • Desktop_background.png
    Desktop_background.png
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  • Disable_JPEG_Desktop_wallpaper_import_quality.reg
    594 bytes · Views: 141
  • Enable_JPEG_Desktop_wallpaper_import_quality.reg
    564 bytes · Views: 201
Last edited:
if I wanna use the wallpaper without any quality loss, then which one should I use?
This?
Disable Desktop Wallpaper JPEG Quality Reduction
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"JPEGImportQuality"=dword:00000064
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Latest Retail Build
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    Self-Assembled Intel 12th Gen based Desktop PC
    CPU
    i5-125400
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    ASUS TUF GAMING B660 Wifi D4
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    MyDesk
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    Windows 11 Pro Latest Build
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    Self-Assembled Intel 13th Gen based Desktop PC
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    Intel 13th Gen i5-13600KF
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    Crucial Ballistix DDR4 32GB [16GB x2 Dual Channel] @3600 CL16
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    MyDesk-Gaming
if I wanna use the wallpaper without any quality loss, then which one should I use?
This?
Disable Desktop Wallpaper JPEG Quality Reduction
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"JPEGImportQuality"=dword:00000064

Hello mate, :alien:

Correct. That would be the one to use to not lose any quality when using a JPG or JPEG file as your desktop background.

You don't lose quality with any other image file type (ex: PNG).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
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    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
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    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
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    Corsair Hydro H115i
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    Logitech wireless K800
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    Logitech MX Master 3
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    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
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    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
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    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
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    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
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    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
What about JPEG and PNG and BMP format? What is the best to use? thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 21H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    AMD
    CPU
    Ryzen 5
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL
    Keyboard
    MS
What about JPEG and PNG and BMP format? What is the best to use? thanks

PNG is usually the best quality when it's the same size as your screen resolution.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
What is in the folder "C:\Users\SomeOne\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\CachedFiles\CachedImage_1920_1080_POS0.jpg" ?
In the cache :
cf.jpg


Source :
tf.jpg


r.jpg
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI MS-7D98
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-13490F
    Motherboard
    MSI B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    2 x 16 Patriot Memory (PDP Systems) PSD516G560081
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (GV-N4070WF3OC-12GD)
    Sound Card
    Bluetooth Аудио
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    INNOCN 15K1F
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD_BLACK SN770 250GB
    KINGSTON SNV2S1000G (ELFK0S.6)
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W
    Case
    CG560 - DeepCool
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    ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS / 2 x 140Mm Fan - rear and top; 3 x 120Mm - front
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    Corsair K70 RGB TKL
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    Corsair KATAR PRO XT
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
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    Firefox
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    Microsoft Defender Antivirus
    Other Info
    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/66553205
Photos app saves a copy version of the image (which I set as wallpaper) in this path:
"C:\Users\X\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\PhotosAppBackground"

Is there a way to disable this behaviour? Those images won't automatically delete if I set a new image as a new wallpaper. Does the Photos app reduce the quality?

I use MS Paint to set an image as a wallpaper. Is this method lossy (reduces the quality and piles a bunch of images in a specific folder)?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    i7
    Hard Drives
    SSD
Those images won't automatically delete if I set a new image as a new wallpaper.
This is the way it should be.

Use PNG format without compression(?)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI MS-7D98
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-13490F
    Motherboard
    MSI B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    2 x 16 Patriot Memory (PDP Systems) PSD516G560081
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (GV-N4070WF3OC-12GD)
    Sound Card
    Bluetooth Аудио
    Monitor(s) Displays
    INNOCN 15K1F
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD_BLACK SN770 250GB
    KINGSTON SNV2S1000G (ELFK0S.6)
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W
    Case
    CG560 - DeepCool
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS / 2 x 140Mm Fan - rear and top; 3 x 120Mm - front
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB TKL
    Mouse
    Corsair KATAR PRO XT
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender Antivirus
    Other Info
    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/66553205
This is the way it should be.
I mean the cached images not the current wallpaper. All images you set as wallpaper has a copy version in that folder (PhotosAppBackground).

ss.png


Use PNG format without compression(?)
It's nonsense if you have a JPG then convert them to a PNG! A lossy format image (with reduced quality) to a lossless format. You just make the image size bigger. I set my own wallpapers (which I make in Photosop and export them as PNG) as PNG.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    i7
    Hard Drives
    SSD
On my screen I can't see the difference between jpg(100%),jpg(90%),png for wallpapers downloaded from the internet. Placebo.
Maybe for larger 4K+HDR monitors it's different.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI MS-7D98
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-13490F
    Motherboard
    MSI B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    2 x 16 Patriot Memory (PDP Systems) PSD516G560081
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (GV-N4070WF3OC-12GD)
    Sound Card
    Bluetooth Аудио
    Monitor(s) Displays
    INNOCN 15K1F
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD_BLACK SN770 250GB
    KINGSTON SNV2S1000G (ELFK0S.6)
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W
    Case
    CG560 - DeepCool
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS / 2 x 140Mm Fan - rear and top; 3 x 120Mm - front
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB TKL
    Mouse
    Corsair KATAR PRO XT
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender Antivirus
    Other Info
    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/66553205

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