Changing Desktop backgrounds, Mint 19, Mate Desktop

[paul42]

Hi All,

I am running a fresh install of Mint 19 with the Mate desktop, and everything appears to be working fine except for my backgrounds. I can change the current desktop background, but removing background images or adding new ones to the list are lost as soon as I close the window. The only exception is if I had a new image and set that as my current background, that is then retained.

As far as I know, this is a default install - I don't recall making any changes to themes/etc. I haven't read of anyone else running into this either though. Hoping someone has some ideas,

Thanks,

Paul

[all41]

You can add a new folder of images to choose from, but the default background folder is not changeable.
This may be because they are shared with LightDM and a bad apple could disallow login.

[paul42]

Regarding posting a folder - that sounds like a great idea. I cannot see how to do that though. The "Appearance Preferences" dialog, which contains the alternate background images, will not let me select an entire folder, only single images. Should I be looking elsewhere? The options I have found to change the background all bring me back to this same window.

Thanks again,

Paul

[kc1di]

hi paul,
why not install Variety

Code: Select all

sudo apt install variety

it's a nice wallpaper changer and will auto change the wallpaper at whatever interval you choose.
You can include folders and images of your choice including the mate ones and if you want it will even download wallpaper for various sources automatically.
works really well with Mate, Cinnamon and Xfce.

once you install it you can find it in the menu to launch it. It will automatically launch on reboot.
good luck.

[all41]

Regarding posting a folder - that sounds like a great idea. I cannot see how to do that though. The "Appearance Preferences" dialog, which contains the alternate background images, will not let me select an entire folder, only single images. Should I be looking elsewhere? The options I have found to change the background all bring me back to this same window.

Thanks again,

Paul

I manually added the folder by navigating File System/usr/share, then right click on backgrounds and open as administrator. Then just drag and drop the folder with the images.
Then right click the desktop and choose 'Change Desktop Background'. Click the Add button, and in the left pane click backgrounds. You will see your new folder there. Open it and select the image you want.

[paul42]

Thanks both - I am currently installing Variety, will give that a try.

[trytip]

what do you mean you can't add wallpapers? open caja go to your wallpapers rightclick on one and set as wallpaper. it will now be added to backgrounds
or control center /appearance / backgrounds click the add button then navigate to your wallpapers select one or more using CTRL or click on one go lower and use shift top select however many you want

[kc1di]

Thanks both - I am currently installing Variety, will give that a try.

Just wondering how did Variety work for you?

[paul42]

Sorry for the late response - Variety is working awesome. It is too bad that this is not the default in Mate, but I will take what I can get. Thanks.