How to use local html page as desktop/background

Question

On a windows 7 computer how might one set the desktop to be a webpage. I want to have a local html file that I can edit as needed. Then windows should show that file as the background for the desktop but I should be able to click on links and interact with the page. Certain links would launch certain programs.

So I want to go this route because there is no way that I know to corral a group of icons to a certain part of the screen. When I disconnect and reconnect monitors and such things move around. No icons are forced to stay in part of the group they are supposed to be a part of. At this point I just have folders on the desktop with the app links in those folders. This means I have to open multiple folders to get where I want.

Any ideas on the html angle or other ideas on how to accomplish this?

thanks,

bye.

Solution 1

BackgroundPage by Reddit user forkafork is a FREE solution. His documentation explicitly states that it works with local html files. It unfortunately runs ontop of desktop icons, but the desktop icons can be revealed again by clicking Windows' "Show Desktop" button in the taskbar.

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Plastuer allows GIF, video, and webpage backgrounds. But I wasn't able to make 100% sure that it works with local html files. It has a very professional and slick interface and preserves your desktop icons. Here is an installation video guide:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO6Uy8qOPjU

The software is not free and is PWYW (Pay What You Want). The minimum it allows you to pay (at the time of this post) is $2.00 USD.

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Here is a guide on installing a FREE 3rd-party app called "WallpaperWebPage" on Windows 10:

https://www.maketecheasier.com/web-page-wallpaper-windows/

Unfortunately, using this software gets rid of your desktop icons.

Solution 2

There used to be a Windows feature called Active Desktop that would let you use a webpage as a background, local or otherwise. But the feature was removed from Windows Vista and onward due to potential security risks, I believe.

So, I'd suggest looking for a 3rd party program that can emulate the Active Desktop behaviour.

Hope this helps in some way,

-R

Comments

[fixer1234]

Saying there used to be a feature and suggesting that the OP look for a 3rd party solution is not an answer to the question.

[Jon]

@fixer1234 I disagree. The name "Active Desktop" let me google it and find this.

[fixer1234]

@Chipperyman: How does that make this an answer to the question?

[fadelm0]

Great finds! Unfortunately, I am not able to buy plastuer in my country, so I hope these alternatives work out.