Dual Monitor Wallpaper in XP – getting it to stretch across both screens
Step one: Create an image file that matches the dimensions & resolution of your two screens. For instance, if you have two screens running at 1920×1200 resolution, create an image file sized 1920×2400.
Step two: Put the images you want on each screen side-by-side. Save the file.
Step three: Right click on your desktop, choose “Properties.” Click the “Desktop” tab. Choose “Browse” and find the image you saved in step two. Select that image.
Step four (and this is the important step): Under “Position” on the “Display Properties” screen, choose “Tile”. If you don’t choose “Tile,” Windows XP will show you a smashed version of your 2 backgrounds, one on each screen.
I decided to write this article when I ran into trouble with Step 4. I searched and searched and had a very hard time finding the solution. Instead, I found many “solutions” recommending that I download third party software, etc. I knew Windows XP could do what I wanted, and that no third party software was necessary. After 15 minutes of searching, I finally found the solution. Hopefully this article saves you some of that frustration.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
On Step 1, you need to double just the width size, not the height. So two 1920×1200 monitors need only an image of 3840×1200. This assumes dual monitors with side-by-side configuration.
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Thank you! this was such a help
June 28th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Ya know – there is so much 3rd party software marketing crap on the net for this kind of thing – it took me 5 different searches on google just to find this tip that’s ALREADY BUILT IN TO XP!
Makes you really wish Google would stop selling it’s top search results to the highest bidder.
June 19th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Of course if you have your primary monitor on your right (as I do), then you have to reverse the order of the images to make it look right. Windows is dull… For such simple and obvious tasks, they drives you to buy 3rd party software….
M$ could use Duke’s line: “It’s either my way or….Hell it’s MY way!”
And I agree with LNoizez about Google. Everything is about the f***** money…
July 26th, 2011 at 11:04 am
I’ve been trying to figure this out for ages and just stumbled across it today, almost two years after it was posted. This worked exactly the way I wanted it to! Thanks!